Antique Brooch Identification: Possible Origin & Value
Question
Pendant
Hello, I bought this brooch for $15.00 at an arts and crafts fair. The vendor had this brooch mixed in with all of her jewelry which was all new. She was between 70 and 85 years old and she said it was her grandmother-in-laws. That she bought it in the gift shop of a hotel a long time ago. The back area is not attached to the front. You can see in the pic that they are attached with wire. The pin is missing too. There are irridescent stones and clear ones. It looks like the round "pearls" used to be painted, but they are white. The two small long pearls sticking out the top left do not look like they are painted. I just love it, but I can not see any markings on it at all. I would love to know more about it.
Thanks
AnswerHello Kayla and thank you for your inquiry. Your pendant looks lovely. It appears to be in the wired jewelry style used by Miriam Haskell, Robert and some of the other designers in the 1940-1950's. These used glass pearls and age will effect the finish. Without any markings it would be difficult to pinpoint a designer. Pieces like this were also made in Western Germany and Austria. They were usually accompanied by unusual and beautiful colored stones. You might browse the internet for some of the "wired vintage jewelry" - ebay.com has a search area that might give you some good selections. By the looks of the piece that I could make out $15 was a good buy !
Enjoy !
Sally
jarrettsjade.com
