MAY -Silver Name Pin - - Late Victorian Chester Hallmark 1900

Bearing the pretty name May, this Sterling silver name pin has only a Chester Assay Office Hallmark - which is the three wheat sheaves with a sword and date letter ‘R’ for the year 1900. There is a lion passant to indicate that it is silver but although there is a maker's mark it is a little rubbed rendering it too difficult to read.  The  name May is in uppercase fancy lettering and has embellishments in the form of  engraved work to frame the name plus foliate decoration and A fancy shape to its outline.  This is typical of late Victorian style.    I have left the patina built over time on this brooch leaving you to clean it to suit your taste but I am happy to give the front surface a gentle buff with a silver cloth if you were to request it as bright as possible; no charge of course! 

It is a very nice example of an antique Victorian silver name brooch. The brooch is in quite good condition but does have a little ding to one end which doesn’t spoil it but means it is very good value!  On the reverse it fastens with an old fashioned 'c' type clasp. Measuring approximately1.75 inches by .75 of an inch this pin is ready to wear and enjoy!

In the 1880’s Sterling silver jewellery became popular for everyday wear and was mass produced using the new machinery. This brought small jewellery pieces into a price range that more people could afford. Many items were made in an area in Birmingham fondly named  Britain’s Jewellery Quarter. All manner of Brooches were produced not just names but flowers, leaves, commemorative, hearts and birds. Some set with paste or gems, some enamelled - all affordable and novel.  The Victorians and Edwardians liked these sentimental brooches and pins.  The origins of the Name brooch, pin or badge was to 'label' the staff in large country houses. Later name pins were used as love tokens or sweetheart jewellery and there are examples of all kinds and a wide variety of styles and names, initials and so on. You can find name brooches in Sterling silver, Gold, base metals, metal wires, carved in Whitby Jet, Bone, Ivory and Mother of Pearl and also in enamel finishes. These great pieces of sentimental jewellery make wonderful Christening gifts and are a great collector's item for anyone interested in the Victorian era and the first part of the 20th Century.

JEWELLERY DETAILS

Designer or Brand: Makers mark 'A & C'

Country of Origin: UK - Chester Assay Office

Condition:  Good please note small dent 

Decade: 1900’s

Era: Antique Victorian

Type:  Name Brooch

Material: Sterling silver