Antique Silver Paste Set Halleys Comet Brooch Closed Foiled Back c 1910

Unusual antique continental silver brooch or pin dating from circa 1910 in the shape of Halley's Comet which was visible in the night skies at this time.

The cast and hand pierced brooch is made of continental silver and is set with clear paste stones in a closed back setting. The brooch has a central pear shaped stone surrounded by smaller collet set pastes, There are two little decorative scrolls either side of the paste set comet's tail. 

The brooch is 1 1/4 inches (3.2cm) long and the pin fastens securely to a c-catch. There is mark on the back which looks like 30S. This could possibly be a badly struck 830S mark for the continental European grade of silver. A mark like this and this grade of silver was used after 1880 in a number of countries including Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Germany among others. 

The brooch is in good antique condition with the top right hand (as you look at it) paste below the little flower motif at the top, having a slightly yellowish tinge. There is a little manufactured hole at the back of the left hand paste at the bottom of the head. See images. 

This is a great brooch and a very collectable item for both jewellery collectors and astronomers.