Fihure 1.--The boy on this portrait pin looks to be dressed in 1830s styles. We believe pins like this would have been painted of a son or other relation.

We note pins in the late 19th century which were worn by mothers. Early 19th century pins were painted. We note some done on enamel. After the invention of photography the pins were also done with photographs. The image here is an example of a painted pin (figure 1). We assume that the boys pictured here are actual boys done as family keepsakes and not idealized boys for decoratrive purposes. Certainly this would be the case for the photographic pins, but we assume it would also be the case for the painted pins. The E-bay seller here describes the pin as, "Fabulous mid-to-late 19th century hand painted portrait pin of someone’s little boy (don‘t you wish you knew WHO he is!). It is a large pin on porcelain, with a nice twisted-brass border. It measures 2-5/8” tall X 2” wide. He has the sweetest face, and the artistry is wonderful as you can see from the close-ups. His attire is similar to the Little Lord Fauntleroy style from the 1870’s & 1880’s, as is his long hairstyle. What a wonderful piece of Victorian artwork, someone’s cherished little person." The clothing that the boy wears is not a Fauntleroy outfit, note in psarticular the open collar. The clothing represented is more like the 1830s.

Created: February 3, 2004
Last updated: February 3, 2004