Antique Victorian sterling silver brooch pin, horseshoe

Jewelry : Antique : Fine : Victorian

 

This charming old brooch is Victorian, fully hallmarked for Chester, with the lion passant for sterling and the date letter for 1894. There is also a maker's mark, but I am unable to decipher it. A lucky horse shoe is overlaid with horse shoe nails and a floral motif, and at the bottom you can see the bottom side of a horse hoof, complete with the impression of nails and a frog. I haven't cleaned it up at all, preferring for you to decide what patina you would like. I suspect that at some time in its past, it may have had a gold wash, my reference books show many pins from this era that did. It has a tube hinge, a simple C clasp and it measures about .75" at it's widest, and the same in height. This sweet old piece has survived its 112 years in excellent condition, a delight for any equestrian.

Item ID: J 345