10K Yellow Gold Carved Rock Crystal Horse Head Stick Pin

A wonderful and rare Edwardian yellow gold carved rock crystal horse head dating from the 1900's. The delicately hand carved quartz depicts the whole head and upper mane including all its features, ears, mouth, eyes and nose, all of which remain in good condition. The nose band, bit and reins are fashioned in gold. The head is mounted on a burnished gold backing which holds the pin. A wonderful and unique gift idea for any equestrian or horse lover. Please note: the pin portion is 9kt gold.

A tie pin (or tiepin, also known as a stick pin/stickpin) is a neckwear-controlling device, originally worn by wealthy English gentlemen to secure the folds of their cravats. They were popular from around 1830 to 1920. The Victorian era saw an explosion of designs, with stick pins adorned with miniature scenes of mourning and crafted in gold. They were particularly popular among sporting men. Cravats were made of silk, satin, lace and lightly starched cambric, lawn cloth, and muslin. Stick Pins were necessary accoutrements to keep these expensive fabrics in place and safe. 

By the 1870s, Americans had embraced stick pins and designs were mass-produced which included animal heads, horse shoes, knife and fork motifs, crossed pipes, wishbones, bugs, flowers, shields and a host of other figural motifs. By the 1890s, stick pins had crossed gender lines as women began wearing them with sporting outfits worn for bicycling, boating, horseback riding, tennis, and golf. The ascot, four-in-hand, sailor scarf, cravat bow tie, and wrapped scarf all became popular for both men and women, and all could be set off with an ornamental stickpin.

• 10K yellow gold
• Gram weight is 2.9
• Independently appraised value for insurance purposes: $1,500.00 (note: may not reflect selling price)
• (1) 14 mm x 16 mm x 2.5 mm carved horse head rock crystal
• Measures approximately 6.5cm in length

All items in the Estate Originals Collection are estate pieces created in years gone by. Although this item is in excellent condition, it could have some signs of its age and past enjoyment. The images shown are of the exact item you will receive.