Emily is the name on this appealing antique silver name brooch. This brooch is Victorian, bearing the Chester hallmark for 1899 and the maker's mark 'W.R.S.'.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'.
Back to 'EMILY'. The brooch is in good condition, measures approximately 1.5 inches in length and half an inch in width. It has a decorated edge and is engraved with a border and the name has been applied in block capital letters. The pin fastens to an old fashioned 'c' type clasp.
