May 16, 2020
I posted a gold wishbone and fly brooch recently (#13499). Usually wishbones seen in jewelry pieces are the whole wishbone, indicating good luck. This one has gone through the tradition of two people breaking it. “Two people each grab a side and break the bone apart while making a wish” (Google says…) The one who comes away with the larger 1/2, will have their wish granted. So this brooch suggests that the owner had their wish granted. “Flies were used to symbolize secrets or secret-keeping. Think of the fly on the wall which sees everything but tells no one,” according to Erica Weiner. What was the wish and what secret did the fly not share? Those are the mysteries of a custom made piece of Victorian jewelry! The new owner can make up their own answers!
Until I Write Again,
Merle
