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Brenda Ginsberg Antique Jewelry

Antique Victorian Stick Tie Pin natural carved coral 14k gold Man Tophat (7469)

Antique Victorian Stick Tie Pin natural carved coral 14k gold Man Tophat (7469)

Regular price $999.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $999.00 USD
Sale Sold out

Antique Victorian stick tie or lapel pin. 14k yellow gold and natural carved coral.  Made 19th century. Originally made for a man but can be considered unisex today.  

Measurements: Weight is 3.3 grams. A tad over 3 1/2 inches (9cm) long. 

Description : A single large piece of orange-red natural coral carved to depict a gentleman in formal dress with top hat, cravat, smoking jacket. Hair worn long over his ears as was fashionable in the late 1830's. He turns his face to a 3/4 angle to his torso. He seems to be quite snooty or is that the accepted demeanour of toffs of the day? Great detail to features, folds of clothes, waves of the hair.  See Story below.

Marks and Metal: There is a very faded mark on the pin that we cannot read. We did test the gold as 14k.     

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: Despite their dour reputation, the Victorians did have a great sense of humour and made beautiful jewelry that also makes us smile. They excelled in making novelites - unusual items that piqued our curiosity and could be discussed with friends and colleagues in their social gatherings, clubs and outings. Most of all, they made exceptional stick or tie pins, that clearly formed grounds for great conversation: jockeys of the day; animals; religious symbols, various items that had symbolism and humour that we have entirely forgotten today. This is a great example - a gentleman in his top hat and formal dress. Jacket wrapped about his well-tied cravat, presumably held down with just such a tie or lapel pin. Was he a well-known personage? Did the Victorians know exactly who this gentleman was? We don't know, but if you do, we'll be happy to hear about it.

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.

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