Pin
United States, probably Philadelphia
1890-1905
Measurements
7/8 in (dia) x 1/4 in
Materials
Silver and mother of pearl (nacre)
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Sara Corbit Reese Pryor
Accession Number
2004.19.4
Inscription
“LNC” for Louise Naudain Corbit is engraved into the pin.
Provenance
The pin descended from Louise Naudain Corbit to her niece Harriet Hurd Curtis Reese (1903-1971), the mother of the donor.
Comments
This small but striking circular pin bears the script initials of Louise Naudain Corbit (1875-1941), who married Dr. Edward Louis Duer (1836-1916) in 1907. Louise was the younger sister of Sara Clark Corbit Curtis Levis (1871-1952). Both were daughters of Daniel Wheeler Corbit (1843-1922; grandson of William, the house builder) and Mary Clark Higgins Corbit (1847-1909). Mary Clark Higgins was herself a great-granddaughter of William Corbit, through his first wife’s son Pennell (1776-1820).
The initials are carved into nacre, popularly known as mother of pearl. It is an inner layer of mollusk shells and is known for it hard, iridescent quality. Once carving of the initials was complete, the maker laid black pigment in the channels to create sharp contrast. A silver casing holds the finished disk.