The brooch Speaker Pelosi has been wearing represents

[Ilsa]

The Mace of the House.

The Mace of the United States House of Representatives, also called the Mace of the Republic is a ceremonial mace and one of the oldest symbols of the United States government. Wikipedia

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Interesting. The whole mace thing originated in Britain.

The House of Commons has one and it is used ceremonially on a daily basis.

The silver-gilt mace, decorated with roses and thistles springing from a stem entwined by a plain spiral ribbon, dates back to the 17th century and is believed to have been made for Charles II.

According to the Parliament website, it “is the symbol of royal authority” within the chamber. Without its presence in the chamber, Parliament cannot lawfully meet, debate or pass laws. This rule also dates back to the 17th century. On each day that the Commons is sitting, the mace is carried to the Chamber at the head of the Speaker’s procession by the Serjeant at Arms, who is responsible for security and keeping order within the Commons. It is placed on the Table of the House in front of the Speaker. At the end of the day it is carried out and returned to St James’ Palace. However, when the Commons sits as a committee, the mace is under the table.

https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/mace-parliament-ceremonial-house-of-commons-labour-mp-lloyd-russell-moyle/

https://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:eco,w_1260/

[Ilsa]

2. This happened in December:

Only 55 seconds, worth seeing to the end.

[CousinIT]

3. More about the mace and where she likely got her mace brooch/pin:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211822556

Jeweler: https://annhand.com/products/mace-pin

The card enclosed with the brooch reads:

"The Mace of the U.S. House of Representatives is one of the oldest and most important symbols of our nation's government. On its first resolutions, the U.S. House of Representatives of the 1st Federal Congress (April 14, 1789) established the Office of the Sergeant at Arms. THe first Speaker of the House, Frederick Muhlenburg of Pennsylvania, approved the Mace as the proper symbol of the Sergeant at Arms in carrying out the duties of this office. The design of the Mace is derived from an ancient battle weapon and the Roman fasces. The ceremonial Mace is 46 inches high and consists of 13 ebony rods-representing the original 13 states of the Union-bound together by silver bands. Atop this shaft is a globe on which sits an intricately cast eagle."

Jeweler's Facebook page confirms: https://www.facebook.com/annhandjewelry/photos/pb.43510701518.-2207520000.1550345806./10156655876316519/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/annhandjewelry/

[Ilsa]

4. It's beautiful up close. Thanks for finding that. nt