Ornate Victorian Hallmarked Silver Brooch 1889

Here on offer is an ornate Victorian solid silver brooch that is fully hallmarked and was assayed in Birmingham in 1889.

I think this brooch originally started life as a pocket watch fob as it still has the loop at the top where a ring would have been fitted.

I have seen this type of conversion before and it related to “mourning” memorabilia.
Back in the Victorian era, when a gentleman passed away, (possibly in this case, during the Boer War?) the lady wife would get the fob converted to a brooch to enable her to wear it with pride as a memento of her loved one.

It has had a pin and catch professionally attached to the rear by a jeweller, so that it can be worn as a brooch.

The front has a beautifully engraved scroll and pierced floral/leaf design with a shield cartouche in the centre, which is engraved with the initials SHW.

The rear is plain and has a clear set of English silver hallmarks, the Lion Passant for English silver (925), an anchor for the assay office of Birmingham and the date letter “P” for the year 1889.

It also shows the maker’s mark, “A-B” set in an indented rectangle.

Although this maker’s mark is shown on some web sites, the maker hasn’t as yet been identified.

This brooch is in excellent near mint condition.

It measures 1.4” (3.5cm) by 1.2” (3.1cm) wide and weighs 8g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Many thanks for taking the time to look.

Code: 50857