Vintage Cat Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
Bakelite
20th Century American Modern Brooches
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century British Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Brooches
Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Belgian Modern Brooches
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Brooches
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Vintage 1980s Brooches
1990s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Vintage 1980s Brooches
20th Century Brooches
Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Brooches
Enamel
20th Century French Modernist Brooches
Vintage 1980s Brooches
1990s Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s Brooches
1990s American Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Brooches
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Brooches
20th Century Italian Modernist Brooches
Ruby, Turquoise Matrix, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Base Metal
Vintage 1950s American Post-War Brooches
Base Metal
Vintage 1960s Brooches
Sterling Silver
20th Century Brooches
Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches
Carnelian, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Modernist Brooches
Garnet, 18k Gold
20th Century French Brooches
Late 20th Century Italian Brooches
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Vintage Cat Brooches For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Vintage Cat Brooches?
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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