In the modern Western world, we think of mistletoe as a somewhat old fashioned Christmas decoration under which we stand and are subject to kisses (wanted or not). Kind of strange if you think about it. So where does this tradition come from? It actually stems, in part, from the beliefs of the Celts, who saw mistletoe as a symbol of fertility and vitality. (Side note, the ancients Greeks shared this belief about the potency of mistletoe and called the plant “oak sperm”). This pagan lore surrounding mistletoe lasted into the early Georgian period. At this point its association with virility was diluted and it became popular as a festive decoration under which lovers would kiss. Formerly a stickpin, this pendant features enameled mistletoe with a pearl “berry” within a lucky horseshoe.
MATERIALS: 10k gold (tests), green enamel , 1.3mm seed pearl, new 14k gold chain
AGE: c. 1890
CONDITION: Very good - converted from a stickpin into a pendant
SIZE: 1/2" x 3/8", 18" chain