Jan thanks for writing in and describing your lovely brooch but I have to say, well... Jan you definitely will not be winning the photographer of the year award;-)
In the History of Jewelry we have been wearing brooches for a very, very long time.
The first Brooch (they are termed "fibula" if they are from the ancient and early medieval epochs) appears in the late Bronze Age. It was a simple design, with a unilateral spring, that looks very similar to a modern safety pin.
To date an antique pin, a few factors are considered, the overall design, the decoration, style, materials used, craftsmanship, and the type of securing mechanism on the reverse. Unfortunately the photo isn't in focus and I can't see much to comment, except to say, that it's not from the late Bronze age;-)
Is it Silver? Silver in the Georgian era 1714- 1830 was for the wealthy only. If it helps at all, flower brooches, also called "lace pins" were popular in the early 1800s. They were scattered in lace collars, hence their name. Bar pins, were popular in the Late Victorian period.
If it's a Scottish pin it could very antique, as they started hallmarking in 1681.
There are quite a few UK Castle marks -
'Castle in a shield' could be either of the following, they are all variations of the castle theme and within a shield imprint background:
UK Exeter Town Mark - 1701 -1883
Uk Chester Town Mark (it is actually a sword between 3 wheat sheaves) ca. 1782 -1962
Uk - Edinburgh Scotland - ca 1681 - Present
The date letters are different for each Town
I am sorry I can't be much more help, I would really love to see this item, and you are very welcome to resubmit and attach photos that are more in-focus, if possible.
