Brooch
brooch | ˈbrōch
noun
Either a large pin, or an ornamental piece of jewelry with a pin and clasp to be attached to clothing
This jewelry piece is typically a large pin that is fastened to a woman’s blouse, or another ornamental piece of jewelry worn on a blouse. Brooches have been popular pieces of jewelry in several eras, and are actually one of the first known accessories crafted by ancient artisans. Originally, these brooches were fashioned with precious stones, and metals like gold and later silver. During the age of kingdoms and controversial coups, noblewomen would strategically choose and place brooches, often depicting bows, angels, flowers, and insects like butterflies, to discreetly signal coded messages to one another about their position on the palace’s affairs. Today, brooches are still fashionable but are less a form of secret communication and more of a fashion statement. On modern runways and city streets, you can find women adorned with brooches depicting insects or formed of laconic metal pins without flashy stones or rhinestones you would have seen in past time periods.