This is a late Victorian period 'nanny' brooch or pin, made of brass with a goldstone mount and containing a hidden needle case & thread holder, & almost certainly made in Germany around 1890.

The brooch is in the form of a cylindrical bar, and is decorated with a central goldstone roundel in a foliate & scroll mount. The brooch has a pin & 'c' clasp fastening.

The central bar of the brooch is actually hollow & one end unscrews & slides out to reveal a combined thread holder & needle case. The thread is stored around the exterior of the holder whilst the needles are stored in the hollow interior of the holder.

Nanny brooches are so called, as they would be worn by the nanny in Victorian households, so that should any of her charges' clothing etc. need an emergency repair, she would always have a needle & thread at hand.

The rear of the brooch is marked with (GE)S. GESCH ( gesetzlich geschützt - German registered or patent design).

Condition is Fine, with a good hinge & closure. There is a tiny bruise on the seam at the rear of the bar (on the GESCH mark) & the 'GE'(of GES) has been covered by the 'c' clasp fixing (during manufacture) - a fine, original brooch.

The brooch measures approx 2" in length (approx 5cm).

Overall, a rare, original, & complete 'nanny' brooch.