Unknown Victorian Button Brooch
 

A nice brooch but who wore it as a button please?

Rob

Hello Rob

I believe your button is a "Court" button worn by members of the Consular Service on full and levee dress.

Roger

Thank you Roger

Sounds quite posh, odd then perhaps as a "sweetheart" or a "tie pin"?

Rob

Hello Rob

Yes, it is slightly unusual for a sweetheart but not out of the question I suppose. It does look to be a genuine, period conversion unlike some of the military sweetheart buttons that have been appearing on ebay recently which were probably knocked up in somebody's shed last week!

Interesting to see that the backmark is for "Ranken & Co Calcutta", so possibly supplied originally to a diplomat in the Indian Civil Service.

Roger

Hi,

I think the backmark is that of Harman & Co. of Calcutta?

Trev.

Quite right Trev! I had just been looking at some of my own Indian Army buttons by Ranken & Co and had (yet another) senior moment!!

Roger

Hi Roger,

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has them!

Trev.

An advertisement for Harman & Co. from 1903:

http://www.925-1000.com/td/f/India/Harman-1903.jpg

Trev.

Hello Trev

Thanks for posting that very interesting advert.

Nice to see printed confirmation that Harman were tailors/outfitters rather than makers of buttons.

I have a few buttons with "Harman & Co Calcutta" backmarks but my favourite is one which has the addition of the Prince of Wales's feathers more normally associated with the firm of Jennens. This might suggest that at least some of their buttons were supplied by Jennens (photo attached).

Also interesting in the context of Rob's button to see that they supplied Diplomatic uniforms as well as military.

Roger

My pleasure.

Indeed the original source may well have been Jennens.

Trev.