RARE ANTIQUE BRIDLE ROSETTE FLAT CRYSTAL PIN/ BROOCH-THOROUGHBRED HEAD

Description

This exquisite pin, in perfect condition and dating from the early 1900s, is the only one I have seen in a flat glass setting. The flat glass rosettes were of an earlier manufacture and were superceded by the domed variety which did not chip as easily.
This crystal is pristine and houses the image of a Thoroughbred horse's head, a bay, on a clean white background.
The diameter is 1 1/2", or pony size.
The pin is in perfect working order.
The question arises whether this was a bridle rosette, with the loop removed, and a pin inserted into the holes. That is not the case here- the Pflueger catalog shows pins made expressly as pins and nothing else, although they did use some of the same images as were seen on bridle rosettes made with loops.
Examination of the photos shows that this was always meant to be a pin, styled as a rosette. T.he back is totally smooth
The rarity is the presence of the flat glass crystal, and the size. An early manufacture for sure, and very special for a collection.
This piece is featured in the book Bridle Rosettes.