McClelland Barclay Sterling Floral Brooch. The exuberance of living green things brings us joy. The sinuous, moving lines of this vintage treasure will remind you how one can almost watch some vines grow. There's that wisteria and the downspout!
It takes a master designer to breath life into metal. McClelland Barclay, the fabulous illustrator and jewelry designer, made most of his sterling in 1942-43. He died during WWII. This sterling brooch measures 2" across and is signed in the characteristic Barclay script. Only the "d" in McClelland shows and "Barclay", probably because of size constraints. A gem from yesterday. Can be shined by the new owner, but has a warm patina and in very good condition. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH14-05 Barclay Sterling Brooch ~Back - $250
This item has recently been sold.
Czech Glass and Filigree Gurtler Brooch. Gianna's Gems presents you with a sweet Art Deco confection. Pink glass marzipan bon bons sit on a lacy filigree brooch. The little pink glass morsels are dotted with bright rhinestones. The back of the brooch is equally pretty and has its own pattern of stars.
This very vintage c1920 Czech brooch measures 2" across and is formed from pot metal. Gurtler metalwork. Original plating is intact on the back. No markings. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH40-05 Czech Glass Brooch Filagree
Work~Back - $60
Victorian Carved Onyx Horseshoe Stickpin. Long a charm for good luck, the horseshoe has in more recent years become linked with horse racing, and wealth. Some believe that the shoe should be placed upwards to catch good luck; others, to place the ends down, to pour luck out. Shoes also have seven nail holes, are made from iron, and are crescent-shaped; all features associated with good luck.
Horseshoes are among the many symbols that can be found in jewelry. Jewelry has power--in its message to others, and reminders to us. This Victorian stickpin measures 3" long. The horseshoe head is carved black and white onyx, surrounded by gilt metal. You might note that there are seven nail holes. A little rubbing to edges. A Gianna's Gem treasure from yesterday. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH44-05
- $77
c1940 Art Deco Mysterious Oriental Mask Brooch. Here is a thought for when you are feeling inscrutable and have a taste for the exotic. Put on an different face to signify your mood.
In the 1930s and 1940s, Hollywood pizzaz was reflected in jewelry. Unusual, exotic motifs are seen. Movies such as "The Thief of Bagdad", which won three Academy Awards and was also an international favorite, had its own licensed jewelry and was inspirational to jewelry design.
This c1940 brooch features a silver-finished lady's head. Her headdress, studded with large colored rhinestones appears Chinese. Her elongated ears hold blue glass crystals earrings. Enamel paint for hair, brows and lips. Cutouts represent her slanted eyes. This vintage figural brooch measures 2 3/8" tall. A carefully chosen selection of yesterday's jewelry, for today's woman. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH61-05 - $68
This item has recently been sold.
Vintage Black Diamond Rhinestone Brooch. This 1970s vintage brooch measures 2" long. Smoky topaz colored rhinestones are prong-set. Clear, bright rhinestones make an elegant contrast. Silvertone setting. Excellent condition. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH215-07 - $30
Early 20th C. Vintage Mosaic Brooch. This vintage mosaic brooch measures 13/16" across. Color is a medium cobalt blue with a white and rust border. Orange rose and flowers in center. Setting is gilt brass, with some wear to gilding, and an antique c-clasp for closure. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH258-07 - $43
Lovely Antique Mosaic Brooch. Giannas Gems loves these little pieces of art for there highly contrasting colored tiles and fanciful designs. This Italian mosaic brooch dates c1920 and measures 1 3/8" across. The tesserae (mosaic tiles) are all present and in very good condition. The brooch edge is braided and braiding is used to separate and define the "star" design. There is verdigris to the star braid, which is quite colorful and pretty. The back is stamped "Italy". There is a some wear to the back's gilding. Trumpet closure. Shipping/Insurance free in the USA! DH305-08 - $60
Antique Cocoa Advertising (Chocolate Girl) Pinback. This antique c1900 pinback is in superb condition. It measures 1 5/8" tall and is tin with a gilt backing and antique c-clasp. Colors are very harmonious--a deep teal, yellow, orange, brown and white. No identifying markings on this pin.
The success of the Quaker Oats Man as an advertising icon inspired many companies to follow with mascots of their own. This young woman is very similar to Walter Baker's "La Belle Chocolatier" logo lady, one of the first registered trademarks. Most cocoa makers, both in Europe and the USA, soon presented their product in similar packaging. This lady wears the garb of the young server girls hired to pour the cocoa.
The use of chocolate as a candy did not occur until the mid-19th century. In the eighteenth century, chocolate was taken as a drink and was extremely scarce and expensive. At first only royalty, and then the wealthy consumed chocolate. A young woman would have been happy to find a position of advancement as la belle chocolatier. Shipping/Insurance free in the USA! DH326-08 - $53
Vintage Geometric Aurora Borealis Brooch. This vintage abstract-shaped aurora borealis brooch measures 1 5/8" long. All borealis rhinestones are prong-set. Coloration is pink, green, yellow and purple. Some wear to silverplating along the thin edge. Shipping/Insurance free in the USA! DH342-08 - $33
Early 20th Century Micromosaic Brooch. A larger than average mosaic brooch, at 1 1/2" across, the tiling around the center is intricate and tiny. Hundreds of tesserae fill the design, creating a sea of texture and color. Warm red, turquoise, blue and white surround a central floral display which is rendered in larger tiles. Twisted gilt wire defines the colored areas. No tiles appear missing. The back is gilt and unmarked. Early trombone clasp. Shipping/Insurance is free in the USA! DH360-08 - $72
Antique Art Nouveau Large Spread Wings Brooch. This antique Art Nouveau brooch (1900-1910) is silver-plated and measures a whopping 4 1/2" across. The wing feathers are outlined in a pattern of tiny, continuous dots. There is further meticulous detailing of each little barb. An 8 x 12mm foil-backed, top-faceted amethyst glass stone is prong-set between the wings. The front has been very lightly polished to bring out the high outline. The back has been left alone and has its original c-clasp. These long brooches are the type that require the pin back to be threaded through your clothing a few times to stay secure.
The iconography of wings in the Art Nouveau period is of interest. In addition to their beauty, wings symbolized "reaching for the skies", with the emerging Age of Aviation. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH429-09
- $95
Antique Pallas Athena, Greek Goddess, Bronze Brooch. Pallas Athena (Minerva) was the Greek goddess of wisdom and women's crafts. She was the defender against evil and a warrior goddess.
This version is the Athene of Velletri, a Roman marble of an original Greek bronze. Identifiers are her triple-crested helmet; the Gorgon's head on her breastpiece (aegis); the missing bottom of her staff.
This antique 1 1/8" tall pin is either bronze or copper and shows traces of having been gilt. The casting is intricate and beautifully detailed. The unusual safety clasp indicates very early 20th century. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH450-10
- $65
Antique Mosaic Hexagonal Floral Brooch. Dating to the early 20th century, this six-sided brooch measures 1 1/4" across. A wonderfully balanced color palette gives the floral display a fresh and appealing look. The back is gilt and unmarked, with wear to gilding along one edge. The clasp is trumpet-style. No signature or markings. Free Shipping/Insurance in the USA! DH459-10 - $60
