A Devilish Stickpin
circa 1900
(carved labradorite
(head), enamel, ruby and gold)
A delicate masterpiece. Its amount of
detail is just enough to convey a playful kind of evil. Whether stuck through
one's hat, breast pocket or foulard, it will grab the attention of both the
wearer and the on-looker despite it reaching no more than 70 millimetres in
length. It acts to 'peep' out of whatever material it clings to, like a
mischievous little spy intent on revenge - rather like the devil, actually.
The idea of big size - its dominance of space or its apparent 'control' - does
not always inspire terror or fear. As seen with this little carved character,
it is moreso the unobtrusive thing, that which remains unseen or just a bit too
quiet, that inspires the most panic.
More realistically, however, it is not the
cunning face that inspires the panic of this piece, but rather its value estimated
to nearly 3'600 GBP by Wartski (London). That, at least, makes one stare at
this stickpin with a mixture of shock and wonder.
