Object of the Day: A Late Edwardian Stickpin

King Edward VII drastically changed men’s fashions during his reign. From the starchy formality of his father, Edward developed a more casual and sporty style of tweed suits and lighter colors. During Edward VII’s time on the throne, jewelry designs also changed. We see that the more florid compositions of the Victorian era give way to more geometric patterns which heralded the start of the Art Deco period.


This late Edwardian stickpin is the perfect example of that change of styles. Here, we see a design which relies on geometric shapes which put us in mind of the emerging Art Deco influence. However, traces of Victorian workmanship are still evident with the delicate filigree and the graceful ionic volutes at the top of the crest. One thing that’s always a constant is the diamond. A sparkling clear diamond embellishes the center of the pin, offering a sparkle which illuminates the perfect symmetry of the gold work.