Antique Victorian Grouse Foot Brooch with Sterling Silver Detail

Victorian Grouse Foot Brooch with Sterling Silver Detail. From the 1910's.
Rare find — this item is hard to come by.
Not to be confused with the lucky rabbit’s foot, the grouse’s foot was another good luck charm for the hunt — predominantly in the Scottish Highlands, where men used them as kilt pins. The creature’s claws were usually bedecked in precious or semi-precious jewels and mounted in silver — though costume versions were also available. These brooches became popular adornments for ladies’ scarves and cloaks during the Victorian era.
Grouse’s feet are not the only bird feet used as good luck charms. In the African American hoodoo and conjure traditions of the Southern United States,
chicken feet are used as amulets of protection. It is common to see a chicken’s foot hanging near the entrance of a home for this purpose. The foot is typically dressed (“fixed”) with various oils that enhance its protective properties.
Originally purchased in the U.K. In great condition, no damage