Brooch Vintage Modernist
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Sterling Silver, Silver
Late 20th Century American Modernist Brooches
Crystal, Enamel
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Modernist Brooches
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s Austrian Modernist Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s British Modernist Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Greek Modernist Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Brooches
Silver, Brass, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Modernist Brooches
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Modernist Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Brooches
Crystal, Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century North American Modernist Brooches
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Brooches
Gold Plate, Enamel
Late 20th Century French Modernist Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Brooches
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century American Modernist Brooches
Crystal, Gold Plate, Enamel
Mid-20th Century French Modernist Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Modernist Brooches
Ruby, Turquoise Matrix, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Gold Plate
20th Century French Brooches
1990s French Brooches
20th Century French Brooches
20th Century French Brooches
20th Century French Brooches
20th Century French Brooches
Mid-20th Century Brooches
20th Century Italian Brooches
Vintage 1960s Brooches
Vintage 1950s Contemporary Brooches
Peridot, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Modernist Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1940s American Modernist Brooches
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Danish Modernist Brooches
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Danish Modernist Brooches
18k Gold
20th Century French Brooches
20th Century French Brooches
Vintage 1970s Brooches
Base Metal
Vintage 1980s French Modernist Brooches
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century French Modernist Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Modernist Cuff Bracelets
Sterling Silver
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Brooch Vintage Modernist For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Brooch Vintage Modernist?
Finding the Right Brooches for You
Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.
While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like Gucci, Versace, Dior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step.
Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones. Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.
At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.
Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.
Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023To tell if a brooch is vintage, take a look at its fastener. Pieces made during the first half of the 20th century often had a long thin fastener that you push to open or close. This style of hardware is commonly known as a trombone clasp. Locking safety clasps emerged during the 1930s, and jewelers used them throughout the rest of the 20th century. You can also check brooches for a date stamp or research the maker's mark to determine who produced it. Then, consult trusted online resources to determine the age. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or professional jeweler examine the piece. On 1stDibs, find a variety of brooches from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024To identify vintage brooches, look for the maker's marks. You can usually find them on the backs of brooches. Take a photo of the marking on your brooch, and then conduct a reverse image search to learn who the maker is. If you're unsuccessful, research the marks using trusted online resources or consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. Shop a diverse assortment of vintage brooches on 1stDibs.
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