Clasp (Brooch)

Description

Small silver and gold clasps typically joined the ends of multiple strands of beaded necklaces, belts, or bracelets into a circle, but the large scale of this oval clasp indicates it could support heavier or longer than average strands. The surface engraving depicts a pair of crowned love birds each perched on a heart and facing inward and wreathed by two distinct types of leafy branches all enclosed in a border and scalloped edge. Although not personalized with a wearer's name, this hollow clasp shows signs of multiple owners on the underside -- one one end the original pierced mount for strands of beads is missing. This was likely removed when a successive owner adapted the clasp to wear as a brooch or pin. The maker's identity is unconfirmed, but the clasp was possibly retailed if not also engraved by William Bode, a clockmaker in Philadelphia.