Rare Antique Sterling Silver Lawn Tennis Brooch, Rackets and Plimsolls, Birmingham 1886

A superb Victorian silver novelty tennis brooch - perfect for collectors of antique sporting jewellery or Victorian novelty silver.

Made in Birmingham in 1886 - just nine years after the inaugural Wimbledon Championships - this sterling silver brooch beautifully captures the height of late-19th-century lawn tennis fever in England. 

While simpler single or crossed-racquet pins are occasionally found from this era, this rare design pairs two crossed tennis racquets with a charming, three-dimensional pair of miniature tennis plimsolls. The craftsmanship is beautifully observed, featuring realistically engraved mesh string faces and finely textured handle grips. It survives as a truly wearable piece of British social history.

Bearing hallmarks for sterling silver, Birmingham 1886, with maker's mark for Payton, Pepper & Co, Vyse Street, Birmingham. The hallmarks are partially rubbed with age, as is common on pieces of this period, but remain legible.

The brooch is in very good condition, commensurate with age. It has its original long Victorian pin and secure C-clasp, in fully functioning order.

Dimensions: 4.4 cm x 2.8 cm | 1¾ x 1⅛ inches 

Weight: 5 grams