Dutch Silver Open Work Filigree and Cannetille Scarf Clip / Brooch / Pendant

This unmarked piece is fascinating. Initially believed to be a brooch due to the pin on the back, we noticed some wiggle room in the fitting of the front plates, then realized the back included snap clasps as well as a pin. While opening the clasps, a plate attached to the pin slipped off the front plates. Our online research identified the front plate as part of a Victorian era belt buckle and the snap clasps as used on scarf clips*. Ours does not have the belt buckle parts shown on others online however so we believe it was turned into a scarf clip/brooch with the special plate attachment option to turn it into a pin before it ever became a belt buckle. 
 
*The Dutch Zeeland traditional dress had similar buckles which they called apron locks. These however only had one side of the central line silverwork pattern. A note we found later confirmed it to be a Dutch combination of two clips on a Dutch buckle “bought by Bernard Preyer after much dickering – maybe from a refugee from the Nazis”. Oh, my. 
 
On ours, the front plate features intricately crafted filigree floral swirls on the base with miniature cannetille domes with flower images on them, and large domed cannetille pieces as the central structure on each side of the piece. The back has sharply grooved or toothed snap clasps on them which we identified online as scarf clips. The plate with the pin slips over the clasps, with holes for the grooved teeth, and fits perfectly still even after all these decades.
 
We found this in our grandmother’s vintage jewelry collection as noted above and now know it is Dutch and was purchased by a Bernard Preyer from whom our grandmother inherited it. We believe it is from the 1820s-1910 period. It has a dark patina which we have not tried to polish. It did test positive for silver using a home acid test. There is some paper stuck to the back, possibly from a label. Otherwise it is in excellent vintage condition.
 
Note: There are four loops on either side that would enable this to be turned into a pendant on a necklace either horizontally or vertically.
 
H 2 3/8” x W 3 3/4” x D 1/2”
Approx 2.4 oz (68g)
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.