This is a nice vintage hallmarked silver Scottish penannular brooch or clock pin.
It has a hallmark on the reverse - assayed in Edinburgh in 1961. It also has the maker's letters RA (for Robert Allison).
The brooch is finely made by the celebrated Scottish silversmith. Allison trained in his craft at Birmingham before returning to his native Glasgow. He was much influenced by earlier works by Alexander Ritchie at Iona. He often used a lot of Ritchie's designs in his own work. His fine clock pin looks back to earlier Celtic designs for inspiration.
My brooch is a better quality one by Allison; this is reflected in my asking price. Prices for Celtic silver jewellery are currently on the rise!
The silver is thicker in gauge - and the knotwork decoration is very fine. This one also has two dark citrines added and held in with claw settings. There are two apertures in the silver section of the brooch behind the stones to allow the light to shine through.
The brooch measures: The length of the pin is 6 cm. The width of the brooch is 4.5 cm.
It is in good vintage condition and has been polished to shine before sending to you.
It will be sent to you in the old red leather Scottish jewellers box, as photographed. I will have to post to you with Special Next Day Delivery post - as standard recorded only insures for loss up to the value of £20. This will cost 8.50 to post to you in the UK.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF PENANNULAR BROOCH / CLOAK PIN:
Open the cloak pin so that the pin is pointing in the opposite direction to the hole in the ring.
Stick the pin through the cloth and then back out again so that the pin is held in place by the cloth.
Close the cloak pin all the way so that the end of the pin passes through the ring.
Turn the ring through 90 degrees.