Open book pendant / brooch

The hanging loop on this open book indicates that the outer corners point downwards. The base of the book is silver. Its design imitates a fine bookbinding. The edges of the book are engraved with a modified egg-and-dart motif but both covers are inset in a corner and center motif design using multi-colored stones (red, white, blue, orange and black. The back of the brooch has a rounded glass or crystal oval with a silver bezel setting, which may have been made as a viewer for a photograph or hair but is empty.-- description by Mindell Dubansky in consultation with Lynn Heckman