Museum rare! Extra large and unusual Georgian seed pearl set in original case, an extra large bouquet brooch or lapel pin, a full 4 1/2" long and 3" wide as you see it. It has 2 layers of hand-crafted pearls, one overlays the other for a 3/4" depth when worn - stunning old thing! When I bought it decades ago in Paris, I thought it must have a broken long handle, missing, but to my thrill and surprise, when I got it home and investigated, that long part of the original case has a compartment cover and within, the original conversion aparatus to make it a hair ornament. I have not quite figured out how it attaches, however. Perhaps you'll know. I've only kept it for display, never worn it. The many hundreds of pearls range from 1mm to 5mm. Dates c.1810-30s.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. I can see no breaks at all to the mother of pearl matrix upon which the seed pearls are hand-sewn. The metal backing seems to me to be sterling silver with a karat gold extra long pin, hinged in an early barrel like hinge - original. Just the pin seems gold. I have not tested it for karat, would imagine it is 12k. I will test and annotate if that is not accurate. I don't think it is 16k or 18k. Leather case is absolutely excellent, too. Must have been tucked away or a treasured heirloom for centuries. Something you'd expect only to see in perhaps the jewelry collection at the British Museum, London, though in fact they don't have anything quite like this. I'm clearing my own stashes now - enjoy shopping, and ask if you see something you love in the group photo. We'll help you.
