This brooch was bought by the Museum at the International Exhibition, London in 1872 for seven shillings as an example of traditional Maltese jewellery.

It is much more typical of the type of jewellery produced for sale to foreigners, particularly the British. In the 19th century Malta was an important centre for filigree jewellery. The Maltese themselves preferred gold, but vast quantities of silver filigree were produced commercially and promoted at international exhibitions such as that of 1872. This work was strongly influenced by Italian jewellery, and many of the leading silversmiths in Malta were of Italian extraction. This brooch shows clear links to the kind of archaeological jewellery being produced in Rome at the time, such as the presence of the Latin word ‘Pace’ (peace), and the use of numerous rings of applied twisted wire. This technique was known as ‘Etruscan’ work in Britain.