Antique Swiss Enamel and Gold Brooch, Circa 1840

A Swiss enamel brooch, with an oval hand painted scene depicting mountains in the distance with a church surrounded by trees, with a feature tree, people and animals to the foreground, within a twisted gold frame with four green enamel leaves, circa 1840. Typically Swiss enamels feature peasants in regional dress of the Swiss cantons, or states. They were often made as tourist pieces. Their popularity declined with the invention of photography.