What a a rare find, if you are looking for an heirloom worthy piece of traditional Celtic jewellery this massive John Morton Irish silver and gold penannular pin might be for you.
Bearing full Dublin hallmarks for 1957, this is a true penannular pin (rather than a brooch in the penannular style) so it has an open ring with a long sharp pin attached to a head that moves around the ring to fasten it. As well as being highly decorative it is an impressive size in very thick gauge silver it will pin to and gather the heaviest of plaids and tartans with ease.
The striking brooch is designed as a shield and it is beautifully detailed with the front chased and engraved in intricate Celtic knotwork patterns & symbols. Two 9ct gold domes accent the brooch at each side adding to the fantastic decoration.
The brooch is stamped "Morton Dublin" Morton's was one of the oldest jewellers and silversmiths in Dublin and it was from this shop, on the evening of 3 May 1916, Grace Gifford bought a wedding ring. She and Joseph Plunkett, an Irish nationalist, republican, poet, journalist and revolutionary leader of the Easter Uprising were married the following morning in the prison chapel in Kilmainham Jail, Dublin and he was executed 7 hours later.
A wonderful piece, steeped in local history. Penannular pins date back to antiquity and are a traditional and way of fastening plaids and tartans. Typically they are worn by both men and women, usually at the shoulder by men and on the breast by women. To fasten, the pin is pushed through the folds of cloth, which are then pulled up inside the ring and the sharp end of the pin passes through the gap in the ring. You can then rotate the pin around the ring to give your desired effect.
MATERIALS: Sterling silver, 9ct gold
MEASUREMENTS: 2-1/2" diameter (6.5cm), pin stem measures 3" (8cm)
WEIGHT: 37 grams
DATE: dated, 1957
HALLMARKS: stamped 'crowned harp' & 'Hibernian figure' for Dublin, date letter 'P' for 1957 and 'MORTON DUBLIN' and 'J.M' for John Morton
CONDITION: In excellent vintage condition with no flaws
At Mercy Madge we offer distinctive and unique antique and vintage jewellery. Each piece is carefully hand selected by us, for you. We rarely come across two identical old treasures, once they are gone, they are truly gone!
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