Featured Spectacular hat pin

So, I didn t find anything really interesting in a while and then I came across this one.
I didn t pay much since the seller didn t know what he had.
Its a hat pin, vermeil for the top part, the pin part is steel to give strength. The stones are rose cut diamonds and they are wrapped around a strange formed pearl.
I think its 19th century.
Could already have a hint to art nouveau.
Imagine wearing this on a hat! Must have turned a few heads.
Any idea about what the pearl could be? Maybe mollusk?

 

Yum. Blister pearl, one that formed attached to the shell's inner surface.

 

It's a bit like something I have. Don't know if this is a single baroque pearl or 2 blister pearls cleverly joined to look like one. No diamonds, alas, only marcasites.

 

Omg Bronwen, thats one beautiful brooch you have.
And more wearable than a hat pin.
I did recognize the diamonds on the pictures, that was the reason I bought mine. And the price was good naturally.
The diamonds are small though, nearly chips. So not very valuable.
I have a fondness for small old diamonds though, so had to have it.

 

A beauty, Dessert! Yours too Bronwen!
Is it a hat pin though? The pin part isn't very long.

My favourite kind of seller.

I would say it is already Art Nouveau, probably just before 1900. And I agree, it looks like a blister pearl.

I would gladly wear yours on a lapel.

Because they are small they add that perfect little colour spark without taking the glory away from the pearl.

 

Aj, thanks for your reply. Yes indeed, could be a lapel pin.
It might get some use from me that way, so thanks for the suggestion.
I regularly find bits and pieces of gold these days, which is nice giving the gold price.
But my collector s heart doesnt beat faster for those things. Its things of beauty like this that I really enjoy.

 

Wonderful find! you may try to unscrew the head from the needle (some are fixed this way!) and if it separate adapt a bale.

 

Omg Kyratango, that is so cool!
We could be twin-pin pals!
Hubby tried it for me but mine doesnt unscrew, unfortunately.

 

All 3 very nice.

 

Mine is a funny piece of business, a marriage I think. The pin part is a simple chevron shape with a hook on the back, marked 'SILVER', maybe meant to hold a small watch. The pearl dangle has a small loop at the top, visible in the photo, that just permits it to fit on the hook.



It's currently lounging in the display cabinet, but have worn it on a black swing coat in the past.

 

Bronwen, thanks for the extra photos.
Could indeed be a marriage.
I would wear that pearl all day long on a chain if I were you.

 

I'd say Bronwen's is definitely a marriage; the chevron piece was made a good 30 years after the pearl pendant, to my eyes. That said, if it looks good wear it!

From the length, I'd bet that's a cravat pin/stick pin/tie pin. Men wore these fluffy neck scarf things before neckties were common, and used fancy pins to secure them. Hat pins were inches longer. When cravats went away, women glommed the pins.

 

....fluffy neck scarf things............ Cravat , u mean ?

 

Yup. This dude is from the end of the era; note the celluloid or paper collar. Recency dandies wore elaborate cravats starched to death and some could barely move their heads. Things calmed down later.