Featured 9ct gold pin, Birmingham 1847, what bird?

Wanted to share, paid up for it at $60 but I had to have it. It is 9ct gold from Birmingham and I believe the date letter puts it at 1897. Nice piece in good condition, light weight because the gold portion is hollow. What does this piece symbolize? What kind of a bird is this?


Edited to say it is 1898 not 1847!

 

I'm going to make a wild guess: night hawk & moon.

 

Looks like a swallow.

 

swallow.....returning to capistrano...

 

Another vote for a swallow.

During my crazy college days in the 1980s, I got a swallow tattooed on the back of my left shoulder. My mother has always said that the long tail feathers make the tattoo look like a pair of pliers!

 

Lovely pin, Spartcom! But I think you've read the date wrong. Looks more like 1898, plus there's no monarch's head (Victoria in this case) meaning that it should be after 1890 when the requirement was eliminated.

http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Dates/Birmingham/Date Letters Y.html

 

Crescent moon and swallow.

https://www.bejeweledmag.com/seven-meaningful-motifs-victorian-jewelry/

Debora

 

Agreed, definitely looks like the 1898 "y".

 

I agree as well, the picture I was looking at in the store on my phone was much smaller and not as clear! Still doesn't take away from the fact I like it!

 

Lovely, spart.

Agree, the style, theme, and the narrower hinge are also late 19th century.

 

You had me confused with the 1840s date. Glad to see that others have determined 1890s.

That coincides with the Blue Bird patterns. Very popular in china, and glass. Not surprised to see jewelry with a swallow from this time period.
The blue bird is often depicted as a flying swallow.

 

A swallow, for sure. Swallows could represent fidelity, as they mate for life and return to the same nest site every year after migration. They also symbolized hope for a safe return from long sea voyages.

 

Mocking Jay from Hunger Games was my first thought - but I lost my glasses. lol

 

Forum power!!! Together we can.... uhm....
Still thinking, but we can, whatever it is.

 

mockingjay?