Gold Collar Clip, Early 19th Century.

This very beautiful clasp or collar pin was a piece of men's jewelry intended to tie their ties or a scarf. Often made of silver and called jaw harps in Vendée, these buckles were generally simpler, it was a simple ring fitted with a silver pin. In Normandy and Poitou these rings are sometimes decorated with twin hearts and topped with a crown of seven pearls for the oldest and most beautiful. This jaw harp enjoyed great success after the Revolution, it was a religious and ideological reference, the intertwined hearts symbolize unity and loyalty, the crown, royalty and honor. Large sets of them are preserved at the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions in Paris at the Niort de Poitiers and Fontenay-le-Comte museums. A similar example is represented on page 175 of the book by Brigitte Bouret entitled: “Jewellery and Goldsmiths in Upper Normandy in the 19th century” and a few examples are represented on page 82 of the book by Claudette Joannis in her book: “Jewellery of the Regions of France”. This collar clip bears a fleur-de-lys in force from 1819 to 1832 and a mastiff's head looking to the right for census purposes. Early 19th century period. Width 3 cm. Weight 3.9 grams.