Antique Victorian Stick Tie Lapel pin gold carved natural coral goddess (7472)

Antique Victorian stick, tie or lapel pin. 18k yellow gold and natural carved coral. Made 19th century. 
Provenance: from the personal collection of the late Barry Weber. (see below). 

Measurements: Weight is 9.6 grams. Approximately 4 inches (10cm) long. 

Description : Bacchantes were followers of the Greek god of wine who played an important role in his rituals and worship. They were an extremely popular subject with the Victorians, for their beauty and symbolism. Here is a gorgeously hand-carved single piece of coral. It is formed into the bust of a woman goddess, very Classic in her symmetric beauty with a headdress of vine leaves, grapes and tendrils.  She sits on a golden plinth or oval base, joined to a sturdy, long golden pin. 
Carving is excellent. Great quality. Versatile - suitable for a man, woman of any age.

Marks and Metal:  A pair of hallmarks on the pin just behind the head are unfamiliar to us. Possibly from the Vatican. The initial on the right of the lower mark looks like an elongated F. Gold tests as 18k.    

Condition: Good with negligible wear commensurate with age.  Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.   

THE STORY: Despite their dour reputation, the Victorians had a great sense of humour and imagination and made beautiful jewelry that also makes us smile. They excelled in making novelites - unusual items that piqued our curiosity and could be discussed with friends and colleagues in their social gatherings, clubs and outings. Most of all, they made exceptional stick or tie pins, that clearly formed grounds for great conversation: jockeys of the day; animals; religious symbols, various items that had symbolism and humour that we have entirely forgotten today. From the Georgian era onwards, Europeans were fascinated by the Classic civilisations such as Ancient Greece and many jewels either incorporated old cameos or emulated them. This is a great example of Neo Classic or Classic Revival jewelry, also known as Greek/Etruscan/Roman Revival. While noone was actually praying to the gods of wine and revelry, they did depict them in fabulous carved cameos such as this one. Bacchantes were particularly popular as they combined beautiful women, long flowing locks often composed of foliage and snaking tendrils. The wearer was not just showing off his beautiful jewelry and good taste, but his knowledge of Ancient civilisations and their art.

Today, coral is increasingly threatened and large reefs are extinct due to our polluting habits. This makes coral, which is a form of animal life, increasingly rare. It has become protected and we should avoid exploiting the coral reefs that still exist. In this case, the coral is over 150 years old and a reminder of the wonders of nature and its influence on art and mankind. Wearing an antique coral pin is a unisex statement of both beauty and our recognition of the protection of ecology and our planet.

This pin came from the personal collection of Barry Weber. Barry's mother, Edith started an antique jewelry business that was well-known and highly regarded throughout the USA and abroad. Barry and his wife inherited her passion for jewelry and continued the tradition.   Barry lectured around the country, in universities and colleges and appeared for many years as a specialist on the Antiques Road Show. With his gentle disposition, passion and knowledge, his death a number of years ago was a great loss to the antique jewelry community. Jewelry from the Webers was worn on red carpets by the stars of the 20th century.
This pin was a jewelry work of art that Barry chose for himself.