Walther von Hallwyl with the breastpin in his cravat

During the second half of the 19th century, various kinds of lockets became common which served as reminders of the wearer’s loved ones. On Christmas Eve 1866, Walter received a breastpin from his wife which was adorned with her monogram on the outside and included her photograph on the inside. It was made in Switzerland by the jeweller C. Prost. This breastpin was the first in a whole series of ornaments in the same style which the spouses gave to each other as Christmas gifts over several years.

The breastpin adorns Walther’s cravat in this photograph from the second half of the 1860s.