Handcarved dogwood brooch.
Artist & A.E. unknown.
 
In the Victorian era, dogwood flowers came to symbolize deep affection.
It was common for a bachelor to offer a sprig of blossoms from a dogwood tree to a woman he liked.
If the woman returned the flowers to him, it meant she was interested in having him propose marriage to her.
If she did not return the flowers, it meant only that she liked him back.