Mystery pin

[rogue]

This pin was found by my cousin as he was going thru his mother's belongings after her death.

Some clues to the meaning of this can be found on this similar item at ebay, but I'm not convinced that the description on ebay is correct.

The center symbol appears to be a yarovik, but I am not wholly convinced of that. She was born in the US, but her parents or grandparents might have originated from Moravia.

If anyone here has some thoughts as to the solution of this mystery I would appreciate it.

[Dr Sardonicus]

Originally Posted by rogue

This pin was found by my cousin as he was going thru his mother's belongings after her death.

Some clues to the meaning of this can be found on this similar item at ebay, but I'm not convinced that the description on ebay is correct.

The center symbol appears to be a yarovik, but I am not wholly convinced of that. She was born in the US, but her parents or grandparents might have originated from Moravia.

If anyone here has some thoughts as to the solution of this mystery I would appreciate it.

Starting at the upper left, and proceeding clockwise around the perimeter, there are a number of objects with possibly symbolic meanings.

An oil lamp.
Lightning bolt (?)
Scales
Shield (escutcheon) with the letter R. This may signify a family.
Something I can't identify. It appears to have part of an ivy or vine trailing below it to the right, touching the shield.
An arm holding a torch

The center does look like a yarovik. The yarovik is a slavic symbol that symbolizes the preservation of wealth.

The shape (outline) of the pin might also be of some significance.

It occurred to me it might be a family coat-of-arms or something like it.

[CRGreathouse]

That eBay pin is strikingly similar. Tracking it down is surely the key. Is there a series of pins with different symbols in the front raised area?

[Uncwilly]

They might be from the same school and the badge in the middle is for different clubs. That is supposed to be Lady Liberty on the lower left. Does yours have any markings on the back? It might be the person's initials. Both the ebay one and yours have R in the bottom. I bet that is the first letter of the school.

[Citrix]

Cannot say about the origin. The badge could belong to a group, trade organization etc. It could just be for decorative purposes.

Oil lamp = Service
Lightning bolt= Illumination
Statue of Liberty = Liberty
Scale of Justice = Justice/Equality

[LaurV]

The R and the yarowick, as well as "mother" may all together point to Randwick Girls school. They have similar pins, newer designs. The guy on ebay may know more, as he said something about "old design". Are initials on the back, of his mother? Went she there?

[Viliam Furik]

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

They might be from the same school and the badge in the middle is for different clubs. That is supposed to be Lady Liberty on the lower left. Does yours have any markings on the back? It might be the person's initials. Both the ebay one and yours have R in the bottom. I bet that is the first letter of the school.

In that case, it couldn't be from Moravia. Neither our west neighbours nor we have the tradition of school rings, never had, AFAIK.

[rogue]

Originally Posted by LaurV

The R and the yarowick, as well as "mother" may all together point to Randwick Girls school. They have similar pins, newer designs. The guy on ebay may know more, as he said something about "old design". Are initials on the back, of his mother? Went she there?

Absolutely not Randwick (assuming the one in Australia per google). She never lived more than a few miles from her birth place in Wisconsin.

No markings on the back of this pin and it appears to be made of a different material than the one on e-bay. I am looking to get confirmation of that.

AFAIK, she never went to any college and was a stay at home mom

[Uncwilly]

Originally Posted by Viliam Furik

In that case, it couldn't be from Moravia. Neither our west neighbours nor we have the tradition of school rings, never had, AFAIK.

It is a pin, like a broach, not a ring. And it looks to date prior to the 1960's (most likely prior to the 1940's).

[Dr Sardonicus]

Originally Posted by Citrix

Cannot say about the origin. The badge could belong to a group, trade organization etc. It could just be for decorative purposes.

Oil lamp = Service
Lightning bolt= Illumination
Statue of Liberty = Liberty
Scale of Justice = Justice/Equality

The oil lamp may also symbolize learning or education.

The lightning bolt may symbolize sudden realization, or sudden banishment of ignorance.

Balance scales -- justice, equality, etc as previously indicated.

R on shield (escutcheon) -- not sure

Arm with torch -- liberty

That unidentified thing between the shield and the arm holding the torch -- the part cut out from the upper right of it is symmetrical and its outline is sort of U-shaped. So it represents an object, but what that object is eludes me.

[rogue]

Originally Posted by Dr Sardonicus

That unidentified thing between the shield and the arm holding the torch -- the part cut out from the upper right of it is symmetrical and its outline is sort of U-shaped. So it represents an object, but what that object is eludes me.

That is the head of Liberty so you see the head and the arm with the torch.