Antique Deco 1920s Bar Brooch Stock Tie Pin Simulated Butterfly Wing Pin

This charming authentic 1920s Art Deco bar brooch is set with a reverse-moulded, hand-painted glass cabochon designed to imitate butterfly wing jewellery, and marked “Prov Patent”, indicating a provisional design protection. The clean horizontal bar form, collet and prong setting and subtle iridescent sparkle are characteristic of Deco taste. This would have been originally worn by middle and upper middle class women, especially ‘modern girls’, as a subtle accent to a dress, blouse, coat, scarf or cloche hat. Today, this brooch would work very well as an equestrian stock pin: it has the right length and proportions, is visually appropriate (refined, not overly ornate), and sits flat against a stock tie.

The brooch measures 2.75 inches or 7 cm, and is of elongated bar form, proportioned to sit horizontally, with a Deco chrome alloy mount and robust safety pin-style clasp. The central cabochon, measuring 0.45x0.3 inches (11x8mm) is pressed glass, moulded from the back and reverse-painted with metallic pigments to create the deep shimmering effect and veined texture of butterfly wing jewellery. This technique was popular because it was more durable than real butterfly wing, avoided ethical and import issues, and could be mass-produced while still looking luxurious. The safety pin-style design of this brooch, together with its large size and secure clasp, renders it incredibly versatile and useful.

Bar brooches like this one echoed the slim, elongated silhouette of the Deco period, and were meant to complement the line of the garment, not overwhelm it. They were worn on dresses and blouses at the shoulder, or across a V-neck or bateau neckline, on the lapels of coats and tailored jackets, adding a bit of sparkle to otherwise plain tailoring (bar brooches worked well because they didn’t distort heavier fabrics), on scarves and wraps (the long bar shape held fabric securely without bunching), on cloche hats, at the side or across the front.
For contemporary buyers and collectors, points of interest include the imitation butterfly wing glass, the “Prov Patent” marking, and the versatility of the form, which allows the piece to be appreciated both as an authentic Art Deco brooch and as a practical and secure stock pin for modern dress, without compromising its historical character.

ITEM DETAILS:
ERA/STYLE Art Deco circa 1920s
MEASUREMENTS 2.75 inches (approx. 7 cm)
MATERIALS Deco chrome (white metal alloy), hand reverse painted moulded glass simulating butterfly wing
SIGNATURES/HALLMARKS Prov Patent
FASTENINGS Safety clasp style fastening.
CONDITION Well preserved and in good working order. 

Our vintage and antique items are in good working order, ready for their new owners to wear and enjoy. Vintage and antique boxes in the photos are props, and not included - unless the listing specifies that they are.

TAX
USA and Australian customers SHOP SALES TAX FREE - Hurrah!! You do not owe any sales tax because we are UK based and do not have a tax nexus in any US or Australian state.

USA parcels are shipped DDP, with all Duties and Tariffs paid, so you will not be charged anything on delivery. 

We do not collect VAT at checkout, so EU customers may be liable for VAT payments on delivery (this is the same amount you would be charged at checkout on IOSS orders). 

FREE GIFT WRAPPING: The item will arrive in a gift bag, envelope or box. If you would like an organza bow and/or card and message, just let us know - it's free!

SHIPPING 
All international orders are shipped tracked, and usually expedited (delivery to most countries is 4-6 working days, whilst further destinations like Australia and Japan tend to take 5 - 10 working days). 

RETURNS We have a no quibble return policy, so if you are not happy with your item, please get in touch within 14 days and ship the item back to us within 30 days of receipt. Return postage is normally paid by the buyer (cf. Etsy's return policies).

ITEMS LOST IN THE POST We will refund all items that have not arrived within 1 month of the shipping date. Thank you for allowing this period to ensure they are really lost and not just delayed. Many thanks! ;-) xx