Two Antique Stickpins of Horseshoe Design, c. 1900

In the second half of the 19th century, a new, never-before-seen type of piece of jewellery emerged: so-called "novelty jewellery" caused a sensation with new, surprising and previously unthinkable shapes and material combinations: birds suddenly settled on swings and became earrings. Many everyday objects found their way onto the lapels of ladies and gentlemen, such as tennis rackets, golf clubs and stamps, but the technical world was also reflected in this fashion. Machines, miniature automobiles and the new telephone were surprising focal points. Here are two pins dedicated to equestrian sports. Both pins are made of gold and feature horseshoes as showpieces. The horseshoe on one pin is made of diamonds. The pin itself is crowned by a small, natural pearl. It looks as if someone has thrown the horseshoe around the pin in play. The other pin has a horseshoe made of pearls and a polo mallet. We have discovered the pins as a charming pair and offer them here together, in an antique case from a British jeweler. It is very likely that the pins were also made in Great Britain; we date them to around c. 1900.

Estimate:$885

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