Victorian French 18kt Enamel Diamond & Moonstone “Fred Archer” Jockey Pin

An absolutely exquisite and unusual jockey pin from the Victorian (ca1880) era! This beautifully made piece, which is French in origin, is crafted in 18kt yellow gold and has a fantastic equine-inspired design. The pin itself depicts the bust of a horse jockey, whose resemblance leads us to believe that it depicts the world-famous English jockey Fred Archer (known as “The Tin Man”). His likeness is portrayed by a hand carved moonstone face, and an enameled hat and collar. The carved moonstone is in impeccable condition, featuring fantastic 3-dimensional detail with textured hair, prominent facial features and a famously stoic expression. The stone itself has a wonderful pearly color and iridescent flash, giving a mysterious and alluring quality to the carving.

Resting atop his head is a traditional striped riding hat, comprised of rich red enameling and beautiful old Rose Cut diamonds. A fine row of small Rose Cut diamonds surround his neck above the collar, which carries a complimentary striped design. The piece is set in 18kt rose gold, however, the moonstone remains open backed, allowing the light to come through beautifully. The pin fastens with its original c-catch clasp, and the bar displays several French hallmarks and the word “DEPOSE”. This exceptionally crafted piece is a wonderful tribute to Fred Archer, and would make a fabulous piece for any equestrian enthusiast or jewelry collector!

Measurements: The pin measures approximately 1″ tall, is 3/4″ wide, and 1/4″ in depth.

Condition: The overall condition of the pin is excellent. Besides normal surface wear, there is no apparent damage to the gold setting and all of the diamonds are intact. The moonstone is free of chips or scratches and the pin clasp is secure and in good working condition. There is a very tiny amount of damage at the tip of the hat brim, however, this is hardly noticeable and can not be seen when worn.