A rare and historically resonant French stickpin in 18ct gold, c.1880, depicting Joan of Arc in raised relief within a circular head with a soft satin finish. The design captures her likeness with fine detail, accompanied by her historical dates and an elegant fleur-de-lis motif — the heraldic emblem of France with which she is inseparably associated. The date of c.1880 is significant: it falls within the great 19th century revival of devotion to Joan of Arc, which followed the opening of her beatification process in 1869 and culminated in her canonisation in 1920. Stickpins of this subject were made in considerable numbers in France during this period, but examples of this quality and condition are rare. Hallmarked with French assay marks for 18ct gold. Pin length 6.5cm; head 1.5 × 1.5cm.

The Details

• Circa: 1880
• Weight: 1.9g
• Head dimensions: 1.5 × 1.5cm
• Pin length: 6.5cm
• Hallmarks: French assay marks for 18ct gold
• Origin: France