Antique 9KT gold stick pin modelled as a leaping fish, the body chased with scales and enamelled in yellow green over the chasing, with a red stone eye, early 20th century.
The fish is modelled in the round with its tail curled up and its head turned, caught at the top of a leap out of the water. Sporting subjects were the staple of the novelty stick pin, and the salmon or trout taken on the rise was the one a fisherman wore.
The whole body is chased with overlapping scales before the enamel is laid on, so the enamel sits down into the tooling and the scale pattern reads through the colour rather than being painted on top of it. That is the difference between a good enamelled pin and a cheap one, and it is why the fish still looks wet.
The enamel runs yellow green over the back and fades to plain polished gold at the head and belly, which is how a fish actually looks coming out of the water. A small red stone is set for the eye.
The pin stem is twisted below the head. That is not decoration: the twist grips the fabric and stops the pin turning in a cravat.
Dimensions -
Length: 6.6 cm
Width: 1.5 cm
Weight: 2 g
Specifications -
Metal: 9KT gold
Period: Early 20th century
Decoration: Chased scales under yellow green enamel
Fitting: Stick pin, twisted stem
Condition :
Very good antique condition.
Antique 9KT gold stick pin modelled as a leaping fish, the body chased with scales and enamelled in yellow green over the chasing, with a red stone eye, early 20th century.
The fish is modelled in the round with its tail curled up and its head turned, caught at the top of a leap out of the water. Sporting subjects were the staple of the novelty stick pin, and the salmon or trout taken on the rise was the one a fisherman wore.
The whole body is chased with overlapping scales before the enamel is laid on, so the enamel sits down into the tooling and the scale pattern reads through the colour rather than being painted on top of it. That is the difference between a good enamelled pin and a cheap one, and it is why the fish still looks wet.
The enamel runs yellow green over the back and fades to plain polished gold at the head and belly, which is how a fish actually looks coming out of the water. A small red stone is set for the eye.
The pin stem is twisted below the head. That is not decoration: the twist grips the fabric and stops the pin turning in a cravat.
Dimensions -
Length: 6.6 cm
Width: 1.5 cm
Weight: 2 g
Specifications -
Metal: 9KT gold
Period: Early 20th century
Decoration: Chased scales under yellow green enamel
Fitting: Stick pin, twisted stem
Condition :
Very good antique condition.
