Unknown Victorian Button Brooch

[Rob Miller]

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

Rob

[Cribyn]

Hello Rob

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

Roger

[Rob Miller]

Thank you Roger

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

Rob

[Cribyn]

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

[dognose]

Hi,

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

Trev.

[Cribyn]

Originally Posted by dognose

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