Antique Victorian coiled snake and glass test tube posy holder bouquet brooch / pin, large size

Antique Victorian coiled snake design brooch with its original glass test tube into which can be placed a posy, small bouquet or buttonhole which can even be kept fresh with a little water. This piece is large with a length of 3 inches. It fastens with a pin but the original hook clasp has sadly broken off. It is still perfectly functional in the manner of a stick pin, lapel or hat pin. A small cork or rubber plug could be used to ensure it stays in place and does not causing scratching to the wearer!

This is a superb and unusual posy holder brooch dating I think from the mid to late 19th century Victorian era: a fabulous piece of rare and collectable jewellery. It is in good vintage condition apart from some minor ageing to the brass / gold tone and the unfortunate broken hook for the pin. The latter could fairly easily have a replacement soldered on, but I haven't attempted this in order to keep condition as original as possible. It is extraordinary that the fragile glass test tube is still intact and not even chipped after all these decades.