A very special and rather unique antique Scottish silver penannular pin that is reversible. It is crafted in a different design on each side so you can wear either side facing and the design has been protected with a patent. Possibly by the highly collectable Scottish silversmith Alexander Ritchie.
This is a true penannular pin, rather than a brooch in the penannular style. It has an open ring with a long sharp pin attached to a head that moves around the ring and is superbly detailed. One side of the ring has trinity knotwork at the terminals with the head of the pin decorated with a zoomorphic lion head. The other is engraved with a thistle at each terminal, a sailors knot at the top of the ring and a thistle head at the head of the pin.
Absolutely wonderful and a rare bird, this is the first reversible one we have ever seen! 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
MEASUREMENTS: 1-3/4" diameter (4.5cm)
WEIGHT: 11 grams
DATE: circa, 1920
MARKS: Impressed 'SILVER' an early stamp for sterling and 'PAT PEND' indicating a patent for the design has been registered
CONDITION: In very, very good antique condition showing expected signs of age and surface wear, please see photos, the pin is complete and very sharp
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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