Halley's comet has been observed for millennia, and for centuries it was thought to foretell doom. In the year 989, an Anglo-Saxon monk wrote of the comet: "You've come, you source of tears to many mothers. It is long since I saw you; but as I see you now you are much more terrible, for I see you brandishing the downfall of my country." Roughly 1000 years later, this brooch was made to commemorate the 1835 passing of Halley's comet. People weren't afraid this time, because astronomers - namely, Edmond Halley - had scientific evidence that the comet was coming. People were pretty confident they were about to witness a meteorological event, not a sign from an angry God(dess.) Jewelers produced large numbers of comet pieces, like this one fashioned in 14k gold with green and white paste, in celebration.