Victorian 19 th Century Name Brooch 'MARY' (Sorry this item is sold)

This original Victorian name brooch is unmarked sterling silver but dates from the 1880's. The round brooch has a traditional 'ball and brick' effect pattern all around the rim with the name 'Mary'  hand cut from the silver panel it surrounds.   This is further enhanced by an engraved leaf and dot design.  It fastens with an old-fashioned 'c' type clasp.  It is just over 1.25 inches(3.5cms) in diameter.

It is reputed that these name pins were first worn by the servants in England's large country houses.    The pins quickly became a popular form of sweetheart brooch for the sentimental Victorians.  The popularity of the brooches continued  through the Edwardian period into the 1920's and there was a revival of these items during World War 2.  Materials used for name brooches include Silver, Gold, base metals and rolled gold wires, sometimes they are set with gems, diamante or paste or marcasite.  Names are also engraved and sometimes painted onto natural materials like  ivory, bone or Whitby Jet and early plastics like Bakelite, Celluloid, Casein and Lucite.  It was also popular to make brooches with the words 'Mother' and 'Baby' ;  with initials on or letters which make up a name in the form of a puzzle; with place names upon them or simply with sentiments like 'Best Wishes', 'Mizpah' (an old hebrew prayer which  translated  means 'may the Lord watch over us whilst we are apart' ) or the words 'Souvenir'.

It is lovely to collect sentimental jewellery and this 'Mary' brooch would fit nicely into a collection or maybe would make a wonderful gift for MARY!