Carved Coral Head Stick Pin, Antique Victorian 9k Gold Collar, Roman Style Bust

A quietly striking piece, this antique stick pin centres on a finely carved coral head, rendered with a distinctly Roman feel, a classical profile with softly worn features that evoke ancient portraiture.

The coral itself is particularly compelling. Its colour has mellowed into a warm, orange pinkish, and the carving, though now gently softened by time, still retains a remarkable sense of character. It is quite possible that the coral is earlier than the mount, lending the piece an added layer of history and intrigue.

The head measures approximately 1 cm by 1.6 cm, and the pin weighs around 2.7 grams. It is set within a simple 9k gold collar (unhallmarked, acid tested), mounted on a metal pin.

The gold setting shows visible wear and irregularity, with a slightly rugged, time-worn edge. Rather than detracting, this lends the piece a certain honesty, an authentic patina that speaks to its age and long life. It frames the coral in a way that feels almost archaeological, as though the carving has been preserved and reset across generations.

A rare and evocative object, part jewellery, part fragment of classical imagination, this is a piece that rewards close looking.

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