A Victorian Nanny Brooch
“A nanny, by being the child's doughty defender, may put sensitive noses out of joint.” – Jacob Rees-Mogg (British politician)
Antique jewellery can often be not just beautiful, but also a wonderful window into a time gone by, such as this charming antique nanny brooch dating from the Victorian era. Dating from the 1880s, this was, as the name suggests, worn by the family nanny as a traditional brooch and when she was out with the children, if they tore a hole or seam in their clothing whilst playing, it could quickly be repaired thanks to the hollow section in the centre that contained needle and thread. Made simply of brass and set with a goldstone or aventurine with a stylised fleur de lys leaf pattern to either side of it, the brooch measures 48.8 millimetres in length by 6 millimetres wide at the centre, and one end cleverly unscrews to allow the needle and thread to be kept securely inside and ready at a moment's notice.
The theme for "Looking Close on Friday" for the 1st of September is "needles". I immediately thought of an etui (a small ornamental case for holding needles) of which I have several in my possession. Then I remembered that my mother gave me an antique nanny brooch a few years ago. She had great pleasure watching my face light up with delight as I unscrewed the secret compartment to reveal the needle and threads, more than a century old, carefully ensconced in the bar of the brooch. Although not made in gold or platinum, or set with sapphires or diamonds, there is no doubt that this antique nanny brooch is just as charming as any antique brooch and certainly a wonderful talking point. One can almost imagine the scene now with rambunctious children of a wealthy Victorian era family playing in a park, whilst under the caring gaze of Nanny. I hope you like my choice for the theme this week, and that it makes you smile.
A Victorian Nanny Brooch
“A nanny, by being the child's doughty defender, may put sensitive noses out of joint.” – Jacob Rees-Mogg (British politician)
Antique jewellery can often be not just beautiful, but also a wonderful window into a time gone by, such as this charming antique nanny brooch dating from the Victorian era. Dating from the 1880s, this was, as the name suggests, worn by the family nanny as a traditional brooch and when she was out with the children, if they tore a hole or seam in their clothing whilst playing, it could quickly be repaired thanks to the hollow section in the centre that contained needle and thread. Made simply of brass and set with a goldstone or aventurine with a stylised fleur de lys leaf pattern to either side of it, the brooch measures 48.8 millimetres in length by 6 millimetres wide at the centre, and one end cleverly unscrews to allow the needle and thread to be kept securely inside and ready at a moment's notice.
The theme for "Looking Close on Friday" for the 1st of September is "needles". I immediately thought of an etui (a small ornamental case for holding needles) of which I have several in my possession. Then I remembered that my mother gave me an antique nanny brooch a few years ago. She had great pleasure watching my face light up with delight as I unscrewed the secret compartment to reveal the needle and threads, more than a century old, carefully ensconced in the bar of the brooch. Although not made in gold or platinum, or set with sapphires or diamonds, there is no doubt that this antique nanny brooch is just as charming as any antique brooch and certainly a wonderful talking point. One can almost imagine the scene now with rambunctious children of a wealthy Victorian era family playing in a park, whilst under the caring gaze of Nanny. I hope you like my choice for the theme this week, and that it makes you smile.