DESCRIPTION

Antique brooch by the great silver company Dominick & Haff of NYC.  This is one of the coolest Victorian brooches we’ve seen in many years.   It was made in 1879.  It is a rectangular shape with a flat surface decorated with a bar of music and lyrics, resembling sheet music.  The design is rendered in black champleve enamel which is well finished and flush with the surface of the silver.  The music is a small excerpt from the song “I’m Called Little Buttercup,” which hails from Gilbert & Sullivan’s celebrated H.M.S. Pinafore.   I like the typography, as well as the spelling of “call’d” (this is how it appears in original sheet music, but not some later printings).  

Not coincidentally, H.M.S. Pinafore had its NYC debut in 1879--this brooch may have been made to capitalize on the popularity of the production, or it may have been made as an opening night gift or some similar custom purpose.   

The back has its original pin hinge, stem, and catch.  The catch has a tubular guard on it to cover the pin's point, a feature found on some higher quality American brooches of this era.  

All in all, a wonderful and hard to find example of Victorian silver jewelry, as well as a fine slice of New York entertainment history.

MARKS

Dominick & Haff mark, with 1879 date, and STERLING

DIMENSIONS

2 5/16” by 9/16”

CONDITION

Excellent condition.  Very minor surface scratches, but no enamel damage.  The pin stem is a little wave near its base.  

SHIPPING

1st class shipping in the US is always free!  Please inquire about upgrades and additional services (such as Priority, Express, insurance, signature confirmation, etc.).

1st class shipping outside of the US is a flat rate of $10 for jewelry and smalls.  Most items cost around $13 but we have factored in a discount for our international customers.  In the unlikely event an item costs less than $10, we will immediately refund the difference.

Items ship within 24 hours.