Posted 9 years ago
Bettyb00
(197 items)
The 2 brooches are from a lot I purchased from an estate sale but I have no idea what the pewter ? stick pin is perhaps a capsicum or a chilli?I think it is quite old maybe from the Victorian era?and the brooch is also a mystery I think the fittings are gold except for the
pin.
I have added a photo of the steel pin and discovered what looks to be a hallmark.
For sure, mysterious :-)
The brooch seems to be some Victorian odd animal part.
The stick pin looks like a pepper with a snake's tongue, lol!
Kyratango-very funny! definitely a vegtable!
They sure are curious!!!!!!
The brooch isn't part of a sea shell is it???
Agree with TassieDevil - the second brooch is the inside spiral of a seashell.
Normally, a pewter stick pin would have the design made in pewter but the pin would be steel because pewter is soft. Not sure the first one is a stick pin - the point doesn't look to be sharp enough to penetrate fabric. How long is it?
The pin on the stick pin is steel,the head looks to be pewter -it is 10 .5 cm long
The point is very pointed and sharp- as most stick pins are
Or it could be nickle plated(design)
Just discovered hallmarks after I took the photo of the steel pin or my eyes are playing tricks on me...
Tassiedevil-the brooch could be part of a marine shell although I can't say as I have never seen one like this
Betty, I can't find a picture to show you.....but if you can picture a shell with the outside pieces taken 0ff and all you have left is the inside curved spiral piece.....if that makes sense LOL !!
Regarding the stickpin......I was thinking as it has a vegetable (or fruit) with a stalk at the top that maybe it is a skewer for say threading pieces on for an entree ......or even an olive for a martini.......just trying to think outside the box here LOL!!
Quite possible Tassiedevil!It is a curious piece I would love to know what it was intended for.Thank-you for solving half my mystery!:)I think you are right about the brooch it does look like the inside of a (spiral)shell.
No worries Betty, glad to be able to help..... thanks!
Helllo, To me the first one (stick pin) looks as though a seed or nut is breaking open and a shoot is sprouting - I don't think it's a bean sprout though - something more noble like an acorn splitting to begin an oak tree. :>)
I think you are right Gillian thank-you!It looks exactly like a oak seedling.
I have since read this acorn was revered by Victorians for many reasons.Great Oaks grew from tiny little acorns and also stood as a statement of strength and longevity and this is one of the reasons it was such a popular symbol in Victorian times.