Something Special

Last weekend I went to an antique faire and purchased a box of passementerie (beaded trims). There was something in the box that captured my attention.

At first, I thought it was simply an old broken safety pin and almost threw it away. Luckily right as I was about to toss it out a little voice said, "take a closer look." It was then that I realized it was something special (at least it is to me). My inclination is to say that it is a safety pin, maybe Victorian in age? It is about 1 inch in length.

What do you think it is?

24 comments:

Charm and Grace said...

It does indeed look like a decorative safety pin. I envision it looking wonderful keeping a tartan wrap skirt from flopping open at the legs. Although it may be a bit too delicate for that (hard to judge the size of it from the picture). What a lovely mystery...

Rosemary said...

What a fun find Nancy!!
I agree with you, it kind of looks Victorian.
Whatever it is, it's very pretty.
Rosemary

Anonymous said...

It is to keep your straps together, you know, your bra and your full slip.

Janet said...

I have no idea what it is except beautiful! What a find.

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Nancy!
That is so adorable and so ornate! It has to be Victorian for a safety pin to be that beautiful. I'm so glad your eye caught it's beauty! The idea of keeping lingerie straps together is very possible. Quite an interesting tiny piece!!
Hugs, Sherry

bluemuf said...

Hi Nancy, I would think it might be a Victorian bar,lace, lingerie or beauty pin. Lucky you took a closer look. It will look lovely on some lace or a fancy cushion Nice find.

Hugs Karen

Jennifer said...

it certainly does look like a little treasure. i wonder how it was used?...

LiLi M. said...

Now this pin with it's story of being almost thrown away is even more beautiful. I first thought it was a tiepin, to prevent a man's tie from hanging in the soup or being blown around his shoulder, but it''s too small for that. Anyhow enjoy it and have a nice weekend!

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

At the turn of the century when the throne of England was preparing to pass from Queen Victoria to her son Edward the style focused on his wife Alexandria.Having a long neck she took to wearing high collars setting the stage for the fashion trend.
If you look at photos of her she always wore such a feature on her gowns. This provided a place to put a piece of adornment, the neck or collar pin.
Hers of course were diamond encrusted but for the common woman they could be gold, silver, enameled... thus came the term pin money.Young women who now held jobs outside the home would put aside a few pence to buy these pins.
It is lovely!
xo Susan

LW said...

Nancy what a pretty little pin….
So tiny, you could use it on your boudoir doll
that you plan to redress.

Louise

Sandy said...

Well, I am sure Miss Maddie is right as she knows her stuff being an expert an all. I will give you my guess anyway! I think it a dainty fairy pin. It is used to collect wishes and dreams. They safely locked in place as the wish fairy flits and flies thither and yon encouraging ones dreams to soar!

Ulla said...

Just a little something special ment for you! Miss Maddie surely has a clue!

Anonymous said...

Whew- that would have been terrible to have missed this treasure!
D.

Unknown said...

Do you think it might be a kilt pin. When my girls were small they had smaller pins for the little one's school uniforms. Whatever it is, it is so lovely. Karen

Sugar Bear said...

Whatever its original purpose it is definitely a treasure!
Karla

Lori said...

What a neat find! Loved reading what others thought and knew, interesting post for all! Lori

Cheryl Ensom said...

What a lovely treasure, Nancy! I'm sure you will find something wonderful to do with it. :)

Lori said...

Susan from Miss Maddies is a treasure trove of information, isn't she? i think she knows something about everything...congratulations on your wonderful find Nancy!!!

Anonymous said...

Yes, perhaps a baby diaper safety pin!!

Now, lets see what else was in that box of passementerie!

Have a wonderful Sunday!
xo
Constance

3rdEyeMuse said...

I think it is simply sweet.

angelasweby said...

Nancy hi there :>)
I'm convinced Miss Maddie is right. I think it's a Victorian or Edwardian Bar Pin. An adornment worn on the high collars of the elegant ladies of the time. Your find is so beautiful and made even more precious by the way it was discovered.
Here's a link showing another pretty one. I wonder whether yours once had an inscription on it, The central lozenge shape seems to suggest a name or initials were once engraved there :>)

http://www.tias.com/cgi-bin/google.fcgi/itemKey=1228596

Hugs Angela

Lu Lu's Fluffy Ruffles said...

very pretty!! great find!
smiles,
Sandy

Anonymous said...

It's gorgeous!!! I'm so glad you took a closer look!!

*hugs*
Dara

Anonymous said...

I envision it decorating a hat, or keeping a veil in place on one. Good eye!