Lot 210: Sterling Silver Butterfly Stickpin, Orig. Box

Description

A delicate sterling silver stickpin topped with a finely detailed butterfly, its four wings hand-finished with fine radiating ridges to suggest wing veining and movement. The piece retains its original fitted presentation box, lined in blue velvet with a satin ribbon closure — a nice bonus for collectors, since so many stickpins are found loose after their boxes are long gone. Stickpins like this one were a wardrobe staple from the Victorian era through the mid-20th century, worn by both men and women to secure cravats, ties, lapels, and scarves, with insect and floral motifs especially popular as a nod to the naturalist tastes of the period. The butterfly in particular was a favorite emblem in decorative arts of the era, prized for its symmetry and reading as a symbol of transformation and lightness. At 2.5" long, this is a wearable, easy-to-display piece equally suited to a jewelry box, a pincushion display, or pinned to a hat or lapel today. The reverse is clearly marked "STERLING" along with a maker's mark (a stylized "M" within a small shield-shaped cartouche).

Condition Report:

Good vintage condition, wear commensurate with age. The silver shows light overall surface wear and faint tarnish consistent with age and storage, with no dents or bent wings noted. The pin stem is straight and the point is intact and sharp. The original box shows notable wear: the exterior fabric/paper covering is worn and lifting at the lid edges, with loss and fraying to the ribbon closure and some soiling to the velvet interior lining. The box is presented as a charming accessory to the piece rather than in pristine condition.

Keywords:

Sterling silver stickpin, butterfly stickpin, antique stickpin, figural stickpin, insect jewelry, Victorian stickpin, silver lapel pin, original presentation box, signed sterling jewelry, tie pin, hat pin, collectible silver jewelry

Dimensions: H: 0.75", W: 1", L: 3.25"