Rare WW1 Royal Flying Corps 15ct Gold Diamond & Enamel Sweetheart Brooch
An absolutely fabulous World War 1 Royal Flying Corps sweetheart brooch in amazing condition. A really superb'Royal Flying Corps diamond brooch', jeweller's large handmade unmarked example, constructed in numerous parts, encrusted with diamonds to the wings,'RFC' cypher and Crown, the cap of which is of translucent red enamel, the laurel wreath ornamented in green enamel. Very good condition, complete with all diamonds, retaining original pin fittings housed in an associated fine quality velvet lined fitted leather case. Very few of these brooches come up for sale and a collectors item.
This is probably unique and would have been commissioned by an officer of the RFC for his beloved during WW1. Very high quality and has 44 rose cut diamonds set in 15ct gold (unmarked but fully tested). Please see video of this brooch on Instagram under SheffieldGoldsmiths. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the air arm of the British Army before and during the First World War, until it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service on 1 April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force.
During the early part of the war, the RFC supported the British Army by artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance. This work gradually led RFC pilots into aerial battles with German pilots and later in the war included the strafing of enemy infantry and emplacements, the bombing of German military airfields and later the strategic bombing of German industrial and transport facilities. During the course of the war servicemen leaving home for the desolate conditions of the front line had to say goodbye to those they loved, leaving gifts alongside their memories. One popular gift was a small brooch depicting the service crest or soldiers regimental badge. This was given as a reminder of their absence but also that home was always in their thoughts and hearts. The name sweetheart can be misleading as it suggests that the item was only given to their sweethearts but this isnt the case.The sweetheart brooch was given to anyone who the individual was leaving behind at home; therefore this could be their wife, their parents, their family and children. If it was given to the special woman in their life this would be worn as a symbol of their pride and regard for their brave man, risking his life for King and country, on foreign shores. The brooches themselves, aside from depicting the connection between the armed services and an individual, were small and fitted with pins in order that could be worn on a blouse or lapel.
The style originated from the collar dogs or cap badges of a regiment or corps, and such brooches were first issued twenty years previously during the Boer war in Africa. The year 1915 is the most common for First World War brooches. The item "Rare WW1 Royal Flying Corps 15ct Gold Diamond & Enamel Sweetheart Brooch" is in sale since Saturday, June 1, 2019. This item is in the category "Collectables\Militaria\World War I (1914-1918)\Badges". The seller is "sheffieldgoldsmithsco" and is located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.This item can be shipped to United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Australia, United States, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, China, Israel, Hong Kong, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bolivia, Barbados, Brunei darussalam, Cayman islands, Egypt, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, French guiana, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Macao, Monaco, Maldives, Martinique, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Saudi arabia, South africa, United arab emirates, Ukraine, Bahamas, Colombia, Jamaica, Kuwait, Panama, Qatar, Uruguay.
- Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)