MARY Victorian Silver Name Brooch - Mary - Hallmarked Birmingham 1897 (SOLD)

With large bold capital letters clearly spelling the name 'MARY' this is a classic Victorian Name Pin.  Made and assayed in Birmingham in 1897 it dates from the end of the Victorian period.  It has a pleasing shape and is decorated around the borders with engraved work.  Measuring 1.25 inches in length the silver name brooch is just five eighths of an inch at its widest point.   This brooch is in very good condition.  What a lovely gift it would be for Mary.  Or you could add it to a collection of Victorian Name Brooches.

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'.