Category
Jewelry and Gemstones
Medium
Brass Pin, I think...Not sure about material portrait on.
Distinguishing marks
Marked 'GERMANY' on backside
Condition
Good
Date Period
Unknown - possibly late 1800s?
Size and dimensions of this item
13/16" top-bottom, 11/16" widest point left-right, picture face just under 1/2" diameter
Weight
Approx. 1 gram
Long Description
antique_pin_front.jpg = Front of Pin
antique_pin_back.jpg = Back of Pin
antique_pin_closeup.jpg = Closeup of the main picture area of pin.
History
I found this treasure in a 14 lb box of vintage/antique buttons I bought on eBay. It was certainly an unexpected find. I know by mark on the backside that it is German. If I had to take a stab at age, I would guess probably around late 1800s...but I'll leave that assessment to experts. When I blew up the picture on my scanner to see detail, I confirmed what I thought I saw, and there appears to be two faded faces of babies above the main figures in the pictures...my interpretation is maybe those were babies that had previously passed away and are looking down from heaven upon the dad & mom figures that are watching their live baby, maybe wondering if it will survive? If that is the case, it could certainly date the piece to era when many babies didn't survive.
eBay Auction Link
Price Paid (If known)
Was found in large lot of buttons I bought...wasn't expecting to find it.
For Sale?
No
Re: Antique Pin - Portrait w/ Father, Mother, Baby & 2 Dead ...
Looks like a nativity scene with Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus in manger with angels or cherubs looking down upon them.