Wonderful Alabaster & Wilson Early 20th Century 15ct Gold, Pearl and Turquoise Brooch with Safety Pin

A wonderful Alabaster & Wilson Early 20th Century 15ct gold, pearl and turquoise swallow brooch with safety pin.  Maker's mark for Alabaster and Wilson. Stamped 15ct. 

In Victorian and later jewellery the swallow symbolises love, loyalty, fidelity and the promise of a safe return especially for loved ones going on long journeys, as swallows mate for life and always find their way home from migration. These sentimental tokens represented enduring affection, hope for homecoming and steadfastness, often given by sailors or soldiers as tokens of "I will return". These were very common tokens given in WW1 by soldiers going off to war. 

Alabaster and Wilson was a renowned, long-standing British family jeweller, founded in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter in 1887 by Arthur Alabaster and Thomas Wilson. They were known for high-quality gold, diamond and enamel pieces, especially equestrian and sporting motifs. The company, very sadly closed its doors in 2018, though pieces are still sought after and available. Horses and birds were their specialities and they often did bespoke commissions for royalty and private clients. This brooch is a fine example of their work.

Length: 4.8cm

Weight: 5.3grams

Condition: General light marks, wear and discolouration to metal in keeping with age. Stones with light abrasion. Split petals have typical surface blemishes and light nacre damage.