Edwardian 9ct, 9k, 375 Gold Pearl & Turquoise Swallow with ruby letter, brooch

Antique, Edwardian, 9carat gold swallow brooch designed with a central 17.7 x 20mm swallow mounted with nine, natural seed pearls, the swallow is inflight and is carrying a letter sealed with a tiny cabachon ruby in its beak. The swallow sits central to the brooch and is flanked by two Turquoise gemstones.

A rare and pretty antique brooch full of romantic messages. The pearls are for purity, the ruby for passion and Turquoise for true love, (Queen Victoria loved Turquoise and gave her bridal party gifts of turquoise brooches).

No doubt the swallow is delivering a love letter!

This beautiful, sentimental brooch would have been given as a token of love, possibly from a loved one departing for war.
Swallows lead ships home, when they are getting close to land and prevents them from being lost.

Hallmarked: 9CT (denotes 9ct gold).

MEASUREMENTS: 17.7 x 37.6mm
HALLMARKS: 9ct
CONDITION: Good
DATE: Edwardian (1901-1910)