Antique Victorian stick tie or lapel pin brooch. 18k yellow gold and natural coral. Made in France, 19th century. Probably made for a man but today considered unisex.
Measurements:
Weight is 3.3 grams. Length approximately 2 7/8 inches (7.25cm).
Description :
A well carved wild boar or pig's head. Made from natural coral in a homogenous lovely shade of orange, nicely set off by the gold collar/mount. Very fine detail from the textured coat, to the tusks, fangs, ears, eyes, snout and intent look in the eyes. The gold collar with an intricate pattern. Looks fabulous holding down your tie or cravat. Perfect for the well-dressed gentleman.
Marks and Metal:
French eagle head hallmark for 18k gold behind the head of the pin and another mark further down on the pin.
Condition: Good with negligible wear commensurate with age and use. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY:
It's not surprising that a Victorian gentleman would wear a stick or tie pin with a magnificently carved boar's head. He was conveying a message or multiple, subtle messages.
During the Victorian period and earlier, boars were much more common and part of daily life than they are in our world. Boars were symbols of strength, courage and ferocity and were quite commonly to be found in family crests to symbolise these powers in the family. With our 21st century sensibilites, we shy away from the concept of hunting, but at that time, many people hunted to eat (as they still do in less spoiled parts of the planet than ours).
The extraorinarilly fine carving of this coral boar pin makes it a particularly fine example of what a wealthy man would sport when visiting his club, dining with friends or out riding to hound.
Today, coral is increasingly threatened and large reefs are extinct due to our polluting habits. This makes coral, which is a form of animal life, increasingly rare. It has become protected and we should avoid exploiting the coral reefs that still exist. In this case, the coral is over 150 years old and a reminder of the wonders of nature and its influence on art and mankind. Wearing an antique coral pin is a unisex statement of both beauty and our recognition of the protection of ecology and our planet.
