{"product_id":"antique-cut-steel-wheat-sheaf-cloak-pin","title":"Antique Georgian\/Victorian Cut Steel Wheat Sheaf Pin","description":"\u003cp\u003eCut steel is one of those unusual jewelry materials that I am particularly enamored with, a material that is foreign to us in the modern jewelry market, but was considered an innovative and luxurious novelty during the 18th and 19th centuries. Initially intended to mimic the sparkle of diamonds in candlelight, cut steel jewelry was first created during the 1720s in England, and was a labor intensive and expensive process. Small steel studs were faceted by hand, often with 12 to 18 facets per stud, and individually riveted onto a steel or brass base to create beautiful, intricate designs. While cut steel was intended to sparkle, it has the unfortunate tendency to rust with age and lose riveted studs, and a bright, rust-free, completely intact (and absolutely huge!) example such as this one is not only rare, it is considered museum-quality. Fashioned in the shape of a wheat sheaf, this beautiful pin most likely dates to the late Georgian era (1820s to 1830s) or early Victorian era (1830s-1850s), and, given its large size and substantial pin stem, was intended to fasten heavier clothing like cloaks, mantles, or shawls. The wheat motif become incredibly popular during the botanical craze of the 1830s, symbolizing riches, prosperity, fertility, commitment, and in the case of mourning symbolism, the \"divine harvest\"- the idea that a person's soul had \"matured\" and had been harvested by God. Certain materials and construction details point towards this pin having been made in France (with England and France being the two places where cut steel jewelry was made). The most indicative detail is the fact that the backing plate, which the steel studs are riveted to, as well as the c-clasp, are made out of brass, not steel. This style of construction was most popular in French made cut steel jewelry. The pin stem, like many 19th century examples, extends beyond the body of the pin, to help anchor it to heavier fabrics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePin is in excellent condition, with all riveted studs intact, and absolutely no rust. There are two hairline cracks through two of the larger navette shaped studs (shown in the last two photos), though they appear to be cosmetic, not structural. The pin fastens securely, with a c-clasp catch. Pin measures 5\" long, 0.75\" wide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Moon Honey","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47604565508269,"sku":null,"price":820.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0701\/6978\/8589\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_380a8981-3980-4b6b-83b3-83fb35afec9b.jpg?v=1789505655","url":"https:\/\/shopmoonhoney.com\/products\/antique-cut-steel-wheat-sheaf-cloak-pin","provider":"Moon Honey","version":"1.0","type":"link"}