Showing posts with label vintage pins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage pins. Show all posts

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Greek is the Word



No, this little pin does not read "eat" (though it would make an excellent gift for a chef). The letters are sigma delta tau, and it is a vintage pin from that sorority, made with (claims the vendor) authentic seed pearls, a little diamond, and 10 karat gold. My favorite element has to be the Doric column stem--this and its like often showed inspired decorative design.

For readers outside United States: fraternity and sorority pins such as this one were once a staple of American university life; even the fraternal versions are often embellished with gemstones and enamel, because in the 1950s and 60s a girl was "pinned" with her boyfriend's frat emblem, as a sort of pre-engagement notice that the lady was under claim.

I think they're just lovely purely as a flash of color and sparkle to wear on a lapel or collar. They can be found in their hundreds on the usual online sources like eBay and Etsy.