In the 1860’s and 1870’s, neoclassicism had a resurgence. In American silver, classical images of Greek gods, goddesses, and warriors were portrayed on medallions to resemble coins and currency. Every American silver company had their own medallion pattern that would be used to embellish their silver flatware and hollowware, as well as jewelry items.
This sterling silver Whiting Co. pin has a moon shape and is engraved with words that suggest an ancient language. A bird surrounded by scrolling foliate adorns the center on the pin. Five medallions dangle from the crescent moon, with profiles that are slightly raised like cameos or coins. The center medallion depicts Diana with her arrow; the surrounding medallions depict warriors and an angel with a lyre. The pin has nice movement to it, as the medallions dangle back and forth. A popular trend in neoclassical medallion jewelry was to make items that appeared to have been unearthed in an archeological dig. This one has chipped corners and fractures as if it had been excavated from an Ancient Greek ruin.
Whiting Manufacturing Co. opened in 1866 in North Attleboro, MA under William Dean Whiting. After a fire at their workshop, the company moved to New York, where they were heavily influenced by Japanese aesthetic, particularly Asian motifs of goldfish, lotus flowers, seashells, and cranes. They also manufactured items with neoclassical motifs that were popular during the Victorian era.
The pin measures 3” x 2” and weighs 16.6 grams. It is marked on the back as sterling silver and with the Whiting maker’s mark.
Circa 1880.
