19th century natural pearl stick pin
19th century natural pearl stick pin
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A 19th century yellow gold gentleman's stick pin with a single natural saltwater pearl, circa 1860.
Stick pins, also called tie pins or hat pins, emerged as decorative fasteners in ancient times. Early examples appeared in Bronze Age Europe, where metal pins secured cloaks and garments. During the Middle Ages, pins became more refined, often featuring engraved heads that signalled status.
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, stick pins gained popularity in men's fashion, worn with cravats and waistcoats, and in women's hats. The Industrial Revolution enabled mass production, expanding styles and materials.
By the twentieth century, stick pins shifted from everyday necessity to ornamental accessory, valued for craftsmanship, symbolism, and personal expression across cultures worldwide.
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