ABOUT:
Here is a special little safety pin / brooch - An antique blue and white enamel and 14k gold letter "B" initial brooch by Cartier. Made even more special by its dated box, which is a cream colored leather with metallic gold embossing, the date 4th June 1912 on the top of the box, along with the letter B to indicate the initial version of the pin inside. Inside the box we have the pin which is clearly original to the box and has lived its whole life there, snapping in to the velvet slots perfectly, and the gorgeous Art Nouveau graphics with the Cartier logo stamped in gold foil on the cream silk inside the lid.
I wish I knew the stories this piece could tell, as it was clearly a "B" who belonged in high society. I found this piece in Paris, but with the date being in English, instead of French, we assume it came from the Cartier location in either New York or London.
Cartier opened a boutique in New York in 1909, located at 712 Fifth Ave and relocated their London branch to 175 New Bond St. that same year.
This aligns with the Cartier stamp inside the box which reads:
"CARTIER
London 175 New Bond St.
Paris 18 Rue de la Paix
New York 712 5th Avenue"
By 1919, the New York boutique moved to 653 Fifth Ave in New York so it was only at the original address for a period of 10 years, during which this dated box and piece was made. So we see that all the information lines up with the company history.
I mention these things because there is no Cartier hallmark on the brooch itself. Perhaps because they felt the mark on the box did the trick instead. But there is little doubt that the pin and box are original to one another, not only in the way that it has the molding to nest the brooch so perfectly, but also due to the letter B stamped on the lid to indicate the initialed jewelry inside. This gives us the confirmation that the box is original to the piece, and wasn't just a Cartier box with a random pin put inside.
A striking and elegant little piece with the ornate "B" in blue enamel with a white background on a circular cartouche.
Besides pins, I’ve also seen these pins incorporated into neck stacks as extenders and charm holders as seen in photos where I used one of my chains with dog clips to hook to each end. It makes for an awesome amulet to add other meaningful charms. (Chain and other items are not included, listing is for pin alone).
Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.
HALLMARKS:
Only the box is stamped for Cartier. The piece itself has the French hallmark for 14k gold, where it was stamped as an import or later marked as a second hand piece (feel free to reach out to me if you have questions about this).
MEASUREMENTS:
The piece measures 32mm in length with the circular initial portion 8.7mm in diameter, it weighs 2.1g
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
Still perfectly wearable. The pin back has tension in its spring. I was able to get it to sit nice on a chain but when wearing as a pendant, but it can tend to tip down because of the pin back. However, by adding charms, it adds weight to help hold it upright.
Some loss to the white enamel on the top edge above the B, but somewhat hidden under the blue circular outline of enamel.
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
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SOCIAL:
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Box#q.82$
