Antique Austro-hungarian "suffragette" brooch. Garnets and mother of pearl.

This is an lovely, symbolic antique piece in Austro-Hungarian style. It combines pearls, mother of pearl and garnets and rubies (these are probably paste) .

Jewellery like this is often referred to as suffragette jewellery because the suffragettes wore pieces in purple, green and white (colours devised by Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence). Purple stood for loyalty and dignity, white signified purity and green was for hope.

• About 2.5 cm across (1 inch) .
• Gilded, so is probably gold plated on brass or silver.
• Clasp works well.