click picture to view album
Description
This is a late-Victorian (Aesthetic era) brooch of British origin, dating to about 1880, featuring a buckle and bow in sterling silver. It is a sentimental piece – the bow represents love and eternity; the buckle represents loyalty, strength and protection.
The ribbon appears to thread through the buckle but the buckle is actually wired onto the ribbon. It also has a lip around the edges that makes the brooch look thicker and more solid than it really is. It is fitted with a tube hinge, sturdy c-clasp and extended pin stem typical of Victorian brooches.
Dimensions/Weight
5 cm (2″) wide by 3.2 cm (1.25″) high. Weight is 7 grams (0.24 oz).
Marks
Not hallmarked – common with Victorian Jewellery – but guaranteed sterling silver.
Condition
This brooch is in good to very good antique condition with a couple of contact scratches on the top right ribbon and a pin-head sized hole in the lipped edge, but no other issues. It has not been cleaned.
