France, Republic. An 1871 Franco-Prussian War Lorraine Patriotic Badge by Piel Brothers

Finely produced in silver with blue enameled cross which swivels in storks beak; measuring 67 mm in length, with hallmark on reverse wing for the Piel Brothers; lightly worn, very fine.

Footnote: After the Franco-Prussian war symbolic jewelry became extremely popular in France as a way to display patriotism for the lost territories of Alsace and Lorraine. The first examples were manufactured by Parisian jewelry firms. It was at this time that the Paris jewelry firm Frères Piel (Piel Brothers), founded in 1855, came to prominence. Alexandre Piel, along with head designer Gabriel Stalin, made and sold ten different models of patriotic pieces, mostly cloak pins and belt buckles. These models were produced in great numbers from 1871-1873. They became extremely popular and fashionable, and were worn on a daily basis by many. They were even prohibited by German authorities in annexed territories. The stork is symbolic of Alsace, and the double armed cross, the Lorraine cross, is symbolic of Lorraine.