Featured Bar Pin with Compartment

Hi All,
wondering about this bar pin - it is in an on-line auction, description is unmarked sterling poison pin, 2 1/4", secret compartment behind amethyst stone.

I've asked for a photo of the back, they will send one on Friday, also replied with a description - It's an old fashioned one, very simple with no hinge on the pin or clasp on the loop. The back is flat, slightly scraped-looking with no stamps or markings.
From the description, maybe a 'C' hook, not sure about the pin if there is no hinge.

So far the ones I'm finding on-line have a glass compartment for hair, not finding any with this type of compartment. Maybe for pills? Would have to be tiny pills I would think. (Not sure if they made such a thing). Maybe I should have waited until I have a photo of the back to post this, but going down rabbit holes while searching is more appealing than doing some housework
any ideas or information appreciated
thanks for looking

 

I've never seen that, but my first thought is it is a secret compartment for hiding a momento.

 

or a suicide pill !!!!

 

This doesn't look particularly old. I'm betting the compartment was just there as "feature creep". They did it because they could. If this were a little older I'd think someone had some coke stashed in there!

 

not enuf room for a bump !

 

I'm more your caffeine type, so I wouldn't know.(LOL)

 

I've been known to wander off the righteous path on occasion..........

In sixth grade...we had to make a class presentation ... stand up speaking...with props..... I did mine on illegal drugs............ threw everyone for a loop !!! Hehe!!

 

thanks for the replies folks

thanks Marie I haven't seen one like this either


QUOTE="evelyb30, post: 3066889, member: 36"]This doesn't look particularly old. I'm betting the compartment was just there as "feature creep".[/QUOTE]
thanks evelyb30 you could be right on the age. What is 'feature creep'?

lol komokwa, I bet you raised a few eyebrows! Did your parents get a phone call from the school

 

It's a programming term - adding features just to add features, because you can. Except that sooner or later you add so much stuff the program can't run.

 

We called that scope creep.

I agree this isn't that old. It has the look of poison rings from the 70s or even 80s. Nice tho'.

 

Also thinking vintage but not old. The design also reminds me of something that might have been produced in the 1970s/80s as OBB suggested.

It's a nice looking piece, but the details on the brooch aren't very crisp, this makes me think vintage rather than antique. The sides have a little bit of a Celtic look possibly.

 

thanks evelyb30 you could be right on the age. What is 'feature creep'?


lol komokwa, I bet you raised a few eyebrows! Did your parents get a phone call from the school[/QUOTE]

Only Rena got a higher grade than I did !!

 

To quote myself above: It's a programming term - adding features just to add features, because you can. Except that sooner or later you add so much stuff the program can't run.

 

Yup, and scope creep is the project equivalent.

 

@cxgirl you don't show the back, did they post a photo of the back?

 

I also think it is the decades mentioned above. I remember wearing a similar kind of pin near the top button on a shirt. It was not a memorable look for me.

 

Something eboo and etsy do often.

 

I don't think this is an old and high quality piece, but if anyone needs a spot to store an emergency valium, perhaps it's just the pin!

 

I agree with the others on the period. I have always liked hidden compartment jewellery, and this is a very pretty example.

 

I find this absolutely impenetrable:

It's an old fashioned one, very simple with no hinge on the pin or clasp on the loop. The back is flat, slightly scraped-looking with no stamps or markings.

Hope the promised photo materializes, just so we can find out what this means.