*British, WWI, Royal Flying Corps (RFC) Pilot's Wings, Sweetheart Brooch, Enamelled*
A sentimental relic of Britain’s first airmen — an original WWI RFC enamel sweetheart brooch with Per Ardua ad Astra motto.
A charming First World War Royal Flying Corps sweetheart brooch, measuring 4.6 cm wide x 1.5 cm tall. The design features the winged RFC monogram surmounted by a red enamel crown, flanked by blue enamel wings, with the motto Per Ardua ad Astra picked out in blue enamel to the scroll below. Mounted on a horizontal bar brooch with rear pin fitting. A fine example of a patriotic keepsake worn by the wives, mothers and sweethearts of servicemen serving in Britain’s pioneering air arm.
Historical Note: The Royal Flying Corps was established in 1912 and became Britain’s first dedicated military aviation service. Its motto Per Ardua ad Astra — “Through Adversity to the Stars” — perfectly reflected the hazardous nature of early combat flying. During the Great War, RFC pilots served with distinction over the Western Front and beyond, before the Corps merged with the Royal Naval Air Service in April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force, the world’s first independent air force. Sweetheart brooches like this example were privately purchased and given as tokens of affection and pride, embodying both personal sentiment and national duty.
*Condition* The brooch shows age-consistent patination to the brass and some areas of verdigris, particularly to the reverse and pin fitting. The enamel retains good colour but exhibits minor losses and wear around the motto scroll and crown. The fastening mechanism is present but slightly bent. Overall, a fair and original example with genuine period character. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
