Antique Victorian Enamel Sterling Silver Yellow Bird on Branch Lapel Pin Brooch IOB

This hand-crafted antique Victorian brooch was forged from sterling silver and features a sweet enameled yellow bird perched on a silver branch. During the Victorian era, bird watching and aviaries grew quite fashionable due to the work of ornithologist John James Audubon and his publishing of "Birds of America" in the mid-1800s. These trends led to an upswing of interest in bird-themed jewelry, Moreover, Victorians were fascinated with the secret language of love tokens, friendship gifts and mementos that could be discreetly communicated to lovers, friends and family. Birds often communicated love or fidelity. The bird and branch are set on a silver bar flanked with clover shapes, which symbolizes luck or protection for the wearer. The verso is stamped SILVER and the C-clasp is handmade. It's always exciting to find antique jewelry in it's original box! This pin includes it's original jeweler's box with the inside lid marked James Broxup, Jeweller, Yorkshire St., Burnley. 

The pin measures approx. 1.46" x 0.64" and weighs a total of 2.07g. Very good condition with wear commensurate with age and use. The pin bar has a slight twist that may be original to the creation of the piece. Some losses to enamel on the tail and branch. Clasp works as intended.