Mid-20th Century Brooches
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Period: Mid-20th Century
Silver Plated and Rhinestone Fawn Statement Brooch circa 1950s
Located in London, GB
Lovely silver plated fawn brooch set with clear faceted rhinestones. The fawn has a black eye. Measuring length aproximately 10 cm / 3.9 inches by width approximately 5 cm / 1.9 inc...
Category
Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Vintage 18ct Gold Stamped, 1960s Enamel Cat Brooch with Natural Diamond Collar
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Cat Brooch
18ct Gold Stamped
Circa 1960s
Embrace the charm and elegance of the past with this stunning Art Deco-style cat brooch, a true...
Category
European Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Marcel Boucher Vintage Sunburst Fuchsia Crystals Openwork Circle Disc Brooch
Located in Wokingham, England
Marcel Boucher Vintage 1940s Sunburst Fuchsia Red Purple Rectangle Crystals Openwork Circle Round Disc Door Knocker Belt Brooch, Light gold Tone
Very good condition. Light scratches...
Category
American Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold Plate
Vintage gold tone amethyst rhinestones flower brooch pendant
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS
• unsigned
• gold tone with rhinestones
• vintage designer brooch pendant
MEASUREMENTS
•
CONDITION
• very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear
S...
Category
Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Naples Floral Shell Cameo Pendant/Brooch - 18K Gold Frame - Italy - Circa 1950
s
Located in Chatham, CA
Vintage Naples floral shell cameo pendant or brooch - 18K/750 yellow gold frame, pin and bale - retractable bale to wear as a brooch - fine quality work...
Category
Italian Contemporary Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Important Jewelled Clover Brooch, Property of Coco Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
Coco Chanel's personal brooch in the form of a four leaf clover of gilt chased bronze set with a central raised faux pearl. The pearl is surrounded by amythest, citrine, olivine and deep amber colored pastes. The clover leaf's edges highlighted with clear pastes.
This brooch has been made by Goossens for Chanel in different colorways, always represented by semiprecious tones mixed with pearls and pastes.
Originally purchased at Christies London,1978, Sale of the Personal Collection of Chanel.
Signed: CHANEL. Excellent Condition
2" x 7/8" high
Foto: Chanel crafting jewelry, 1957 image by Mark West...
Category
French Renaissance Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Bronze, Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
Rare Brooch for Christian Dior by Kramer Caduceus
By Kramer for Christian Dior
Located in Warminster, GB
One of the most iconic brooches made by Kramer for Christian Dior. Made between 1950 and 1959.
The Caduceus, the emblem of the medical profession, brooch is studded with small clear ...
Category
French Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Egyptian Revival Silver Isis Goddess Brooch
Located in London, GB
Wonderful Egyptian Revival silver Isis goddess brooch. Measuring length 5.1 cm / 2 inches by maximum width 2.7 cm / 1 inch. The pin is bent but works we...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Silver
Vintage KRAMER Sapphire Crystal Vine Brooch 1950s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage KRAMER NYC Vine Brooch. A quintessential classic featuring a stone rich design of fancy cut crystals in deep sapphire blue and cornflour blue. Fr...
Category
Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Vintage Pair Austrian Crystal Rhinestone Brooches, Unsigned, Mid-20th Century
Located in Chatham, CA
Vintage pair of Austrian crystal rhinestone brooches - fine old world European quality - central round cut crystals surrounded by two level pear shaped stones...
Category
Austrian Romantic Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Crystal, Base Metal
Early Marcel Boucher Enamel Bird of Pradise
Located in New York, NY
Early rare Art Deco Marcel Boucher Enamel Bird of Paradise brooch with signature pearlized enamel in garnets, purples and orange from the late 1930's. U...
Category
American Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Rhodium, Enamel
Couture 1937-40 ElsaSchiaparelli MarcelVertes HarlequinDuck GlazedCeramic Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Between the first ad-campaign that legendary fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) commissioned from internationally-admired Paris-based Hungarian-born multimedia artist Marcel Vertes (1895-1961) for her blockbuster perfume "Shocking" in 1937, and in 1940 when they left France after launching her perfume "Sleeping" shortly before the Nazi occupation during WWII, the illustrator-cum-ceramist distinctly handmade-- while traditional materials for couture costume-jewelry were scarce in Paris--this whimsical red-glazed ceramic brooch depicting a duck holding a "wet" umbrella dripped with dashes of turquoise or black glaze.
Significantly, the trombone clasp of the brooch pin, the long-pronged gilt frame, and the text stamped on its back plate "Made In France" match a similarly sized glazed-ceramic brooch of a decoratively-chained bear that was published in the book Bijoux (page 146). The author Deanna Farenti Cera dated that likewise unbranded unsigned brooch to 1938 when it was commissioned for one of Schiaparelli's themed fashion shows "Circus". The invitation to that show, which was illustrated with circus characters and performing animals by Vertes' Parisian peer Christian Berard, included a domesticated white duck--notably not holding nor wearing a fashion accessory.
Unusually, Schiaparelli had commissioned couture umbrellas from other artisans in the 1930s--a couple of which were acquired by TheMet museum. Another relevant Met acquisition of the designer's couture evening gown, which it dates to Summer 1940, features three large glazed-ceramic fasteners in a contrasting color matching our brooch.
The like findings, materials, construction, text, object and palette aside, accessory-adorned ducks were also among the figurative animals commissioned by Schiaparelli for that last collection before the Germans dominated Paris by June 1940, which is evidenced by the photo of the dated gilt hatpin depicting a bejeweled bird head with a bill that appears in the book by Patrick Mauries about another Schiaparelli-associated French parurier Lina Baretti (pages 124-125). See our other listing for one of Baretti's uniquely feathered designs, which likewise has a pronged gilt frame with trombone clasp like ours, but whose partridge subject best suits an earlier Schiaparelli collection for Fall 1938 titled "Pagan".
For us, distinguishing our brooch from other one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces created for Schiaparelli couture...
Category
French Artisan Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
Emerald Diamond and Enamel Tiger Brooch Frascarolo
By Frascarolo
Located in Firenze, IT
Round emerald and circular-cut diamonds, polychrome enamel, 1969, 6.2 cm, maker's mark for Frascarolo.
Weight: 22,72gr.
Literature
Cf. Centro di Documentazione Sull'Oreficeria, Il B...
Category
Italian Retro Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Victorian Revival Sapphire Ruby Diamond 14k Yellow Gold Platinum Brooch 1960s
Located in Towson, MD
One 1960s Victorian Revival insect brooch crafted in 14 karat yellow gold with platinum-topped detailing and showcases refined mixed-metal workmanship accented by vibrant gemstones. ...
Category
Victorian Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Christian Dior GROSSE 1959 Vintage Large Vivid Swirl Wavy Five Leaf Gold Brooch
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior GROSSE 1959 Vintage Unisex Large Vivid Swirl Wavy Five Leaf Brooch Gold Modernist Elegant Brooch, Gold Tone
Very good condition. Light scratches or colour loss. 100% ...
Category
German Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold Plate
Retro Gilt Sterling Poppy Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Large 1940's retro unfurling poppy brooch of gold washed sterling silver with faux blue zircon crystal.
The naturalistic flower with retro details is la...
Category
American Retro Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Extraordinary Marcel Boucher Early Orchid Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Extraordinary Marcel Boucher Early Orchid Brooch from the late 1930's. Dimensional and large brooch with amazing design and signature square cut faux ruby stones used primarily by Boucher. This brooch is designed in pieces and assembled like fine jewelry with extremely tight pave rhinestone work with tapered baguettes.
Collector quality, the finest in period faux jewelry, a brooch of this high quality rarely comes to market. High rhodium original finish. 3" x 3.25" in height.
Unsigned. 1930's USA.
Born in Paris, Marcel Boucher worked as a jewelry designer for Cartier, who brought him to the United States. In the 1930s, he took a job with Mazer Bros...
Category
American Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gilt Metal
Vintage matte gold tone chair designer brooch
By Monet
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS
• unsigned
• gold tone
• vintage designer brooch
MEASUREMENTS
•
CONDITION
• very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear
Sku 46
❤️❤️ VINTAGE DESIG...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Chanel Vintage 1950s Flower Ruby Cabochon Long 6 Dots Ball Barrette Gold Brooch
By Chanel
Located in Wokingham, England
Chanel Vintage 1950s Flower Camellia Ruby Red Circle Cabochon Long 6 Dots Ball Barrette Brooch, Gold Tone
Very excellent condition. Maybe light scratches or colour loss, barely noti...
Category
French Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold Plate
Coro c.1942 Queen Bees Enamel and Gold Plated Sterling Vintage Duette Brooch
By Coro
Located in Skelmersdale, GB
This wonderful and rare Duette clip brooch was designed by Adolph Katz for Coro in c.1942.
Condition Report:
Very Good - A tiny element of darkening to ...
Category
American Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
14K Gold Horse Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Attractive horse in full gallop with diamond eye accents. Heavy cast 14K gold with textured details. Beautiful quality. 1950's USA.
2.25" x 1.5"
Category
American Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
14k Gold
$1,595
Gold squirrel brooch with enamel
Located in Milano, IT
Delightful brooch depicting a squirrel handcrafted in 18K gold between 1960 and 1970. Attention to mini details, between the paws the squirrel holds a jade sphere and in the eyes are...
Category
Italian Retro Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Emerald, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,613 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Hand Carved Shell Portrait Cameo Gold Pin Pendant Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Antique Cameo Brooch Pendant depicting a Beautiful Young Woman. The Hand Carved Oval Cameo is securely set in a Hand cra...
Category
Art Deco Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
GripoixChanelGoosens RenaissanceStyleGiltBronzeOpenwork GlassCabochonGems Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
With distinct handmade glass by French Maison Gripoix for a faux-amethyst 25mm domed open-back oval cabochon poured into a forged wire ring topped with a serrated-bezel setting, this...
Category
French Renaissance Revival Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Amethyst, Chalcedony, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Trifari Art Deco Pave Cornucopia
Located in New York, NY
Large Trifari Art Deco Pave Cornucopia from the late 1930's by Alfred Phillipe. Elaborate flowerheads spilling from a cornucopia motif with fine pave and baguette work. Clip back fi...
Category
American Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Rhodium
Vintage gold tone ruby red rhinestones flower brooch
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS
• unsigned
• gold tone with rhinestones
• vintage designer brooch
MEASUREMENTS
•
CONDITION
• very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear
Sku 47
...
Category
Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Beautiful 1950s Large Blue Rhinestone Crystal Silver Tone Vintage 50s Brooch Pin
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1950s extra large blue rhinestone and crystal silver tone statement brooch pin ! Features lovely iridescent stones that give off the most beautiful shine when hit with ligh...
Category
Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Whimsical Figural Hang Man Crystal Brooch circa 1960
Located in University City, MO
Whimsical figural hang man crystal brooch c 1960
The unique figural brooch is designed with an
andrognous figure that may be a man or monkey
figure suspende...
Category
Unknown Artisan Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gilt Metal
$95 Sale Price
29% Off
Henry Schreiner 1930s ProngSetCrystal Flora Spray Paisley ShadowBox Gilt Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Henry Schreiner, the Austrian-born blacksmith founder of Schreiner New York in 1932, handcrafted this multi-color prong-set Bavarian-crystal, stylized-flora spray, gold-gilt brass br...
Category
American Artist Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
Nephrite Jade Textured Turtle Yellow Gold Brooch Pin
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Adorable turtle brooch featuring a carved nephrite jade shell with textured 18k yellow gold head, legs and tail.
It is marked 750 for 18k most likely Italian.
Category
Italian Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Christian Dior GROSSE 1968 White Pearl Blossom Flower Radiant Crystals Brooch
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior GROSSE 1968 Vintage White Round Pearl Blossom Flower Radiant Sparkling Crystals White Circle Round Pearl Elegant Modernist Brooch, Gold Tone
Very good condition. Not ...
Category
German Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold Plate
Yellow gold brooch Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond and Microbeads.
Located in Bologna, IT
18l yellow gold brooch (750/1000) marked 750, 28BZ, shaped as a rectangular tile decorated in the center to a row of precious stones within wrought bezels.
The total weight is 9,75 ...
Category
Italian Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Blue Sapphire, Cultured Pearl, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow G...
Crown Trifari Vintage 1950s Flower Leaf Corn Wheat White Whole Crystals Brooch
Located in Wokingham, England
Crown Trifari Vintage 1950s Unisex Flower Leaf Corn Wheat White Whole Sparkling Crystals Modernist Elegant Brooch, Silver Tone
Very excellent co...
Category
American Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Silver Plate
Vintage Ornate Gilded Brooch with Onyx
Pearl Accents by Florenza, 1960s
By Florenza
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- Measures 2" x 2"
- Gold plated
- Faux seed pearls
- Faux faceted onyx cabochons
- By Florenza (signed on verso)
- Circa 1960s
- Estate acquired
- Good vintag...
Category
American Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
$238 Sale Price
20% Off
Christian Dior Vintage 1962 White Round Pearls Crystals Snowflake Flower Brooch
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1962 Large White Round Circle Four Pearls Marquise Sparkling Crystals Snowflake Flower Leaf Elegant Brooch, Silver Plated
Very excellent condition. Not any st...
Category
German Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Silver Plate
Gripoix Glass De Nicola Brooch
Located in New York, NY
De Nicola Gripoix Glass Anglo Indian crest shape brooch. Composed of pink ruby, emerald and sapphire hand poured glass enamels. A large focal sapphire ca...
Category
French Anglo-Indian Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
French GIA Certified No Oil Colombian Emerald Platinum Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An outstanding 1940s brooch of French origin, masterfully crafted in platinum with French assay marks.
The brooch features two vivid Colombian emeralds of fine color and clarity, wei...
Category
French Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Silson Art Deco Gilt Corsage Hand Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Amazing Rare Silson Art Deco Gilt Corsage Hand Brooch from the 1940's with a jeweled bracelet, enameled fingernails and engagement ring. Designed with a fi...
Category
American Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1950
s Green Rhinestone Floral Brooch Bronze
Green Brooch Lapel Pin
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This statement 1950's sparkling rhinestone brooch, accented by petal cut green and brown rhinestones along the base, framing a central floral rhinestone pattern, rendered in iridesce...
Category
Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Mixed Metal
Krementz 12K Gold-Filled Sterling Dogwood Floral Pin Pendant, Retro Convertible
Located in Milford, DE
This charming Krementz floral pin pendant from the Retro era (circa 1940s–1950s) captures the natural beauty of a blooming dogwood flower in a graceful, sculptural design. Crafted in...
Category
Retro Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold-filled, Sterling Silver
Crown Trifari 1950s Crystals Snowflakes Sunburst Festival Stars Firework 2 Set
Located in Wokingham, England
Crown Trifari 1950s Vintage Snowflakes Sunburst Festival Crystals Stars Firework 2 Set Jewellery Gift Set Earrings Brooch, Gold Tone
Very excellent condition. 100% genuine. Rare to ...
Category
American Art Nouveau Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold Plate
Vintage Georg Jensen No. 123 Sterling Dove Brooch with Cabochon Garnet
By Georg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
Authentic vintage Georg Jensen sterling silver dove bird brooch, crafted in Denmark and fully hallmarked. This sculptural circular design features a stylized dove with flowing organi...
Category
Danish Modern Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Garnet, Sterling Silver
Christian Dior Vintage 1967 Vivid Mesh Knit Ribbon Bow Flourish Flower Brooch
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1967 Unisex Vivid Mesh Knit Ribbon Bow Flourish Flower Elegant Modernist Brooch, Gold Plated
Very good condition. Light scratches or colour loss, barely notic...
Category
German Art Nouveau Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Gold Plate
Vintage Art Deco Emerald Crystal Brooch 1950s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Deco Emerald Crystal Brooch. Crafted during the 1950s this spellbinding design emulates platinum and emerald to perfection. Three dimensional aspects are pave set with bagu...
Category
Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
SAPPHIRE
DIAMOND Platinum Thistle Flower Brooch
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
This handmade platinum thistle flower brooch (stamped 950) is a sharp example of mid-century glamour and skilled craftsmanship. The centre is packed with well-matched cabochon blue s...
Category
European Post-War Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage gold tone glass designer brooch
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS
• unsigned
• gold tone with glass
• vintage designer brooch
MEASUREMENTS
•
CONDITION
• very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear
Sku 46
❤️❤️ V...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Textured Gold Bow Brooch With Stitch Detail By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- Collectible costume jewelry piece from the mid-century
- 2.5" x 1.75"
- Gold plated
- Brushed gold texture
- By Crown Trifari (signed on verso)
- Circa 1960s
...
Category
American Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
$103 Sale Price
20% Off
14K Gold Art Nouveau Stick Pin with Enamel and Pearl Accents Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A Captivating Glimpse of Art Nouveau Elegance
Enhance your collection with this Art Nouveau 14K Gold Stick Pin, a delightful piece that perfectly e...
Category
American Art Nouveau Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$987 Sale Price
30% Off
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Blossom Pin C.1940 No 65
By Georg Jensen
Located in Toronto, ON
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Blossom Pin C.1940 No 65. Stylised blossom floral pin brooch. Measures approximately 2.00 x 1.50 inches. Weight:15.80 grams. Full Georg Jensen Sterling D...
Category
Danish Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Sterling Silver
Rare Trifari Alfred Phillipe Sapphire Spray
Located in New York, NY
Rare Trifari Alfred Phillipe Sapphire Spray from the 1930's. Bezel set faux sapphire stones form a floral buds with amazing pave leaf and stem constructio...
Category
American Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Rhodium
1950
s Diamond Platinum Swirl Vintage Brooch Pin
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage platinum diamond swirl brooch, showcasing an elegant, sculptural design with fluid, sweeping curves. The piece is adorned with 43 round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approx...
Category
Contemporary Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Platinum
Pair Robert Enamel and Stone set Butterfly Brooches
By Robert
s Jewelers
Located in New York, NY
Charming pair of Robert of NY enamelled and rhinestone set brooches. Hot pink metallic enamel with pink crystals (2.25" x 1.25"). Yellow,brown enamel with green onyx colored cabochon...
Category
American Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Vintage BSK signed gold glass designer brooch
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS
• signed BSK
• gold tone with glass stones
• vintage designer brooch
MEASUREMENTS
•
CONDITION
• very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear
Sku 46...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brooches
1969 Ben Rosenfeld Horse Brooch – 18ct Yellow Gold, Diamond
Ruby
Located in London, GB
An exquisite vintage brooch crafted by renowned British jeweller
Ben Rosenfeld, dated 1969. This finely detailed horse motif is rendered in solid 18ct yellow gold, featuring a textu...
Category
British Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Round 10k Gold Pin With Australian Fire Opal Accent circa Mid-Century
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Round 10k Gold Pin with Australian Fire Opal Accent from the Mid-Century era is a stunning example of vintage jewelry craftsmanship. Crafted in warm 10-karat gold, this pin features ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Tiffany
Co Burma Ruby
Diamond Bouquet Brooch, Circa 1950
By Tiffany
Co.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Provident Jewelry is honored to present an exceptional mid-century jewel from the illustrious house of Tiffany & Co., circa 1950s—an exquisite brooch that epitomizes the brand’s lega...
Category
American Retro Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Couture Chanel Verdura 1930s Byzantine GoldCircleRope Gems PurpleHeartMedallion
By Chanel
Located in Chicago, IL
When Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel was at her peak during the Art-Deco period as a Parisian couture-fashion designer in the early 1930s and working closely with her favorite jewelry parurier Fulco di Verdura, for one of her clients, she commissioned this unique handcrafted gem-fringed medallion brooch with a yellow-gold circle rope of flexible thick chain that dangles from an unseen ornate open-work curvilinear yellow-gold base. Marked only "FRANCE" on the bar pin with a trombone clasp, like some early 1930s Chanel couture jewelry collected by TheMet museum, its artistry reflects Verdura's colorful organic-form starburst sketches, which you can see from our photo of one of them.
The Sicilian duke began creating fabric patterns for Chanel in 1927, which shortly expanded to executing fine jewelry beginning with custom pieces for the house founder. These included the iconic Byzantine-influenced gem-adorned cuffs referencing the Maltese-military cross, which the French designer can often be seen wearing in circa-1930s photos. Chanel reproduced some of Verdura's originals for her clients, but those variations featured faux gems.
This softly-shaped abstract brooch design suits goldsmith Verdura's early anti-Art-Deco aesthetic that was considered a radical departure from 1920s silver-tone geometric jewelry, which otherwise featured linear designs or figurative representation. The deconstructed bouquet of gems mixes amethyst and rose-quartz beads with natural Keshi pearls and intricate tiny gold leaves, which are discreetly wired to a Baroque-motif frame that dangles a round gem surrounded by a chain halo. Significantly, Verdura was credited with re-introducing since Victorian times the rope motif to fine jewelry.
Since 1930, Verdura's unique style was influenced by travels with Chanel to explore Byzantine art, Baroque architecture, and the exotic flora-and-fauna among his native Italian aristocratic estate. The legendary fashion-editor Diane Vreeland and American entertainment-stars were among the first Chanel clients to acquire couture real-gem-adorned jewelry made by Verdura, while one of the two brooches treasured by Vreeland was titled "Theodora". See our photo of the Byzantine mosaic of Empress Theodora, whose image--with an abundance of teardrop pearls and colorful gems above her chest, and with a gold halo surrounding her head--could have inspired the design of our brooch.
As one of the most important modern-design collaborations, Chanel's close relationship with Verdura lasted largely undocumented years in Paris, until he launched his first outside jewelry venture with a Hollywood designer-boutique after emigrating to the United States in 1934. Within five years, as a financially-backed in-demand goldsmith in the States, he founded the namesake fine-jewelry company Verdura in New...
Category
French Byzantine Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Amethyst, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Sterling Silver and Rhinestone Flower Statement Brooch
Located in London, GB
Beautiful sterling silver flower brooch set with a single rhinestone. Measuring length 11.8 cm / 4.6 inches by width 4.5 cm / 1.77 inches. We have given the brooch a light clean.
Th...
Category
Unknown Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Sterling Silver
William Spratling Conch Shell Earrings Pin Brooch Set 980 Silver Vintage Taxco
Located in North Attleboro, MA
From the collection of Phyllis M. Goddard, widely respected collector, researcher and author of books on William Spratling's works. She featured the pin in her book "Spratling Silver: A Field Guide", 2003, pg. 40, figure 2-56.
A beautiful set of matching earrings and brooch. Crafted of 980 silver using the repousse method into the design of stylized conch shell cross...
Category
Mexican Modernist Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Silver
Marcel Boucher Baguette Swirl Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Dimensional Marcel Boucher Baguette Swirl Brooch from the 1950's. Elaborate elegant design of sapphire baguettes and pave rhinestone swirls by Boucher designer Raymonde Semensohn.
2...
Category
American Retro Vintage Mid-20th Century Brooches
Materials
Rhodium
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The philanthropist and heiress was an avid jewelry collector, and her trove of Jean Schlumberger creations embodies the love of nature she shared with the famed designer.
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Czechoslovakia Brooch
David Webb Maltese Cross
David Webb Tiger Brooch
Diamond Leopard Brooch
Dior Butterfly Brooch
E Pearl Brooch
Edwardian Horseshoe
Egyptian Revival Silver Brooch
Elephant Pins
Essex Intaglio
Georgian Mourning Brooch
Gold Diamond Brooch Eagle
Gold Duck Pin
Gold Fox Head
Gold Mouse Brooch
Gold Owl Pins
Gold Swallow Brooch
Golf Pin