Aged Silver Death's-Head Hawkmoth Brooch
Specifications
| Color | Silver |
| Material | Alloy, antique silver finish |
- For: men & women (adults)
- Antique-silver alloy, spread wings, pin on the back
- Free shipping from 49€ · secure payment
A Death's-Head Hawkmoth, Wings Spread
This brooch depicts a death's-head hawkmoth with open, veined wings and a skull molded onto its thorax. The alloy is finished in aged silver, with blackened recesses to highlight the design. A straight pin with a clasp is soldered to the back. Find it in our collection of fibulae and brooches.
A quick clarification: this motif is not Norse. If you are looking for Scandinavian art, the oval brooch with intertwined beasts remains in that category.
What Sets This Brooch Apart
It embraces a different universe, which is precisely where its appeal lies.
- An unusual wingspan: the spread wings give the piece a width that neither the discs nor the shields in our collection have.
- An integrated skull, not an attachment: the skull is molded into the insect's thorax, just like the actual moth whose dorsal pattern evokes a skull.
- Functional veins: they are not just decorative; they stiffen wings that would otherwise be too thin.
- An unapologetic Gothic style: we do not present it as Viking.
For another piece outside the Norse category, see the skeleton pin.
Specifications
- Material: Alloy, aged silver finish
- Motif: Death's-head hawkmoth, wings spread
- Fastening: Straight pin with a clasp on the back
- Worn on: Jacket, coat, scarf, lapel
- Care: Dry cloth, avoid water and perfumes
Did you know?
The death's-head hawkmoth truly bears a pattern on its thorax that evokes a human skull — this is not a jeweler's invention. The moth also has a rare feature among insects: it emits a cry. By expelling air through its proboscis, it produces a high-pitched squeak of about 280 milliseconds, audible from several dozen centimeters away. Researchers believe it mimics the sound of a queen bee, which allows it to enter beehives to steal honey without being attacked.
📖 To learn more: Discover our guide to Norse creatures.
♦ Complete Your Viking Collection
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Brooch or hair barrette: which one to choose?
| Type | Where it is worn | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Garment brooch (fibula) this product | On a cloak, a shawl, a coat or a jacket lapel. | These are the largest pieces in the range. Six close with a straight pin and a clasp; two are penannular: an open ring locked by the tension of the fabric, with no spring to wear out. |
| Barrette with a hair stick | In a bun, a braid or a half-up ponytail. | Two pieces: the plate sits on the hair, the stick goes through the lock and holds everything in place. You need enough hair for the stick to go through: with hair shorter than shoulder length, the hold becomes uncertain. |
| Light barrette or clip | On medium-length hair, including fine hair. | The filigree models have a small chain that holds the stick; the flat barrettes close with a clip and need no minimum length. These are the most discreet pieces and the easiest to put in. |
| Medallion barrette | Flat on a half-up ponytail or a low bun. | A solid disc that sits on the gathered lock instead of going through it. It is the shape that needs the least hair length, and the only one that shows a scene rather than an ornament. |
How to wear it
There is no size to choose. A brooch (fibula) is fastened to the fabric, not to the body: the only question is the cloth.
The six straight-pin models are worn like a classic brooch: push the pin through the fabric and close the clasp. They suit a jacket lapel, a shawl or a thick scarf.
The two penannular models (the open ring crossed by a long pin) work differently: pass the pin through the cloth, turn it a quarter turn, and the tension of the garment locks it against the ring. The more the cloak pulls, the tighter it holds. It is the most secure fastening on heavy wool, and the one with no mechanical part to break.
On thin fabric, any pin leaves a mark. These pieces are made for broadcloth, wool and thick linen, not for silk or fine knits.
Care: dry cloth. Avoid water, perfume and silver polish, which remove the patina lodged in the hollows: it is what gives the design all its relief.
Is this a Viking motif?
No, and we'd rather make that clear. The death's-head hawkmoth is a gothic and romantic motif, popularized in the 19th century and later by the movies. It has nothing to do with Scandinavian art, which almost never depicts insects.
Is the skull visible from a distance?
Yes. It fills the whole thorax, between the two wings, and the contrast between the polished metal and the blackened recesses makes it stand out. It's the first element you notice.
Are the wings fragile?
No. They're cast in one piece with the body and ribbed, which stiffens them. The finest veins should still be protected from a head-on knock, as with any openwork piece.
What is the fastening?
A straight pin with a clasp, soldered to the back of the thorax. The attachment point is central, so the brooch doesn't tip over despite the wingspan.
Delivery — Allow 7 to 15 business days for mainland France, 10 to 20 days for the European Union. Free delivery on orders over €49.
Delivery guarantee — If your parcel is not delivered within 60 business days, we will provide an immediate reshipment or a full refund.
14-day returns — You have 14 calendar days from receipt to request an exchange or refund. The item must be returned within this period, in its original packaging.
Legal guarantees — All our products are covered by the legal guarantee of conformity and the guarantee against hidden defects, in accordance with the Consumer Code and the Civil Code.
