This magical peacock feather brooch is the perfect combination of art and nature. Gianna's Gems thinks it's amazing that someone was lucky enough to find this wonderful abalone shell and brilliant enough to see its possibilities and create this exotic feathered friend. The abalone is highly colored and carved, and naturally curved for a realistic display. Strut your stuff!
This peacock brooch measures 1 ¾” wide with a safety closure. Excellent condition. DH9-05
- $60
Happy 1930s Wood Horse. You know this horse! She’s the one you always have a carrot for as you bicycle by. She always looks pretty happy to see you, but this is how she appears when she’s finished that carrot.
Gianna's Gems has a particular fondness for figural pieces. It’s hard to let them go! But this sweet gal is itching to get out of her stall. She is 2 7/8” high and all wood; three sections joined and carved. Snappy paint for her tongue, nostrils, and very big eyelashes. Very good condition. DH15-05
- $53
Sterling Hunting Bugle By Lang. Musical calls were used to communicate during the hunt. Depicted in sterling is a double coiled hunting bugle, a nineteenth century instrument.
The vintage brooch is quite elaborate with scrollwork covering the bell, spiraling wrappings, and swinging tassels. The brooch measures 2 1/8” at its widest. It is signed “Sterling” and “Lang” and is in very good condition. A clarion call from yesterday for today. DH36-05
- $86
c1960 Pearl Belly Penguin Brooch. This 1 7/8" tall penguin brooch is highly reminiscent of the Fantasia series by Alfred Philippe for Trifari. The centerpiece of the goldtone brooch is the pearlized belly underneath a pave rhinestone neck. The visible back, head, and feet are textured, the flippers shiny. Tiny red rhinestone eye. Very little bit of wear to pearl. DH162-07 - $30
Vintage Golden Apple Brooch. "Kallisti" (To The Fairest) was the word inscribed on the golden apple of Eris--the prize to the most beautiful. In ancient times, apples were considered the food of the gods and very special.
The perfection of the golden apple is captured in this vintage creation. The gold-plated brooch is very well constructed and hefty. 1 3/4" high, domed and ribbed with a separation between the halves. A great treat for yourself or the "apple of your eye." Very good condition. DH141-07 - $30
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 ‘40s, 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. DH61-05
- $70
c 1980 Sterling and Enamel Galloping Painted Mustangs Brooch. These glamorous gallopers remind Gianna's Gems of the hardy breed of the West’s most colorful horses, the American Painted Mustang. There is nothing as exhilarating as seeing horses wild and free, running for the sheer pleasure it.
Display the proud spirit of the American West with these showy, high-performance horses that were a favorite of the American Indian. This tiny trio is artisan-made and all sterling, enlivened by colored glass enamels. The brooch measures 2 ½” across. Unmarked, tests sterling. Excellent condition. DH62-05
- $44
c1939 Graceful Mexican Dancer Brooch. In the late 1930s, Carmen Miranda became an huge success in the USA. Having set her homeland of Brazil on fire with her talent and music, she became an overnight sensation in North America, as a stage performer, a recording artist, and star of 14 movies. Carmen wore crazy platform shoes and turbans and loads of splashy costume jewelry. No singer had risked such flamboyance before. She was an influential fashion force. In 1939, Saks sold Carmen-inspired jewelry. The '30s was a period of light-hearted, fun jewelry, with South-of-the-Border and dancing themes among the favorites.
Express yourself and your passion for fashion, and have some fun! This light-footed gilt and handpainted senor, with rhinestone accents, will bring smiles at his "Whatever!" gesture. He is 2 3/8" tall. LH40-05
- $25
800 Silver Filigree and Enamel Butterfly Brooch. Butterflies appear as an artistic element around the world as representatives of all the positive and beautiful aspects of nature. Gianna's Gems agrees with this position and is always on the lookout for rare butterfly jewelry.
This 800 silver filigree butterfly dates to the 1950s-60s. delicate spun silver forms nature's most elegant insect. The siliver is washed in gold vermeil for a warm contrast to the cool enamel colors of blue, turquoise, and lime green that decorate the lacey wings. Wing span is 2 1/8".
The back is beautiful and fully gilt. Closure is a safety clasp. The back is marked 800 and with the Italian lozenge mark containing artist's number and province mark for Genova (Genoa.) Very good condition. A companion piece is seen above. DH331-08
- $52
Damascene and Mother-of-Pearl Flamenco Guitar. This flamenco or classical guitar brooch has the prettiest silver and goldtone damascene sides all around. Measuring 2 3/8" tall, with real metal strings, a molded fretboard, and luminous mother-of-pearl body. Signed "Spain". A great guitar "pick". LH67-06 - $22
Double Orchid Brooch With Cultured Pearls. The orchid thief sought rare beauty in a remote swamp. However, the orchid is the largest flower group and also currently has the fastest rising sales in the floriculture industry.
The orchid's loveliness is frozen in this vintage gold-plated brooch. Measuring 2 3/8" across, it's petals are delicately striated for realism. Fine prong-set cultured pearls accompany amethyst-colored faceted rhinestones for a rich look. LH76-06 - $24
Creamy Pearl "Berries" Drop Earrings. Pearlized glass beads are arranged by size and suspended on goldtone chains from a golden ball. Green molded plastic leaves enhance the realism. Measuring 2" long and for pierced ears. LH103-06 - $25
Jade Shrimp Brooch - Crustacean Sensation! This fun and wonderful 2 1/4" long brooch represents a frilly-legged shrimp. Its goldtone appendages are further enhanced with bright rhinestones and bubbles of costume pearls. Its body is a large piece of carved nephrite jade. A krill's best friend! Ouch! LH108-06 - $70
Rhinestone Bodied Bumble Bee Brooch. This chubby bumble bee scatter pin measures 1 1/8" long. The golden bee is finely detailed; the body set with two bands of closed-back clear rhinestones. Black rhinestone eyes. Her wings are ready for flight. LH114-06 - $22
Enamel Rose Stem Brooch. This 2 1/16" long-stemmed rose has a goldtone base and is beautifully enameled, especially the leaves. The flower is fully formed, as a rose at the peak of perfection. LH122-06 - $22
1940s Large Floral Brooch with Rhinestones. This floral brooch measures 3 5/8" long, is beautifully silverplated, and a great example of the jewelry of the period. It is made in eight sections which are riveted together. The stamens are accented with collet-set, bright red faceted rhinestones. LH126-06 - $38
Blue Roses Figural Brooch. This vintage figural brooch showcases wild roses in full bloom. They are enameled in a cerulean blue with enameling on the rose leaves also. There are even thorns! The 2 1/4" brooch has a goldtone base, which shows wear on the back and on the bottom of the stem. LH135-06 - $20
Large Marquise Rhinestones Grapes Bunch Brooch. This vintage 1970s brooch has a goldtone Florentine finish and many beautiful, clear prong-set rhinestones as grapes. It measures 2 1/2" long and is in excellent condition. LH140-06 - $40
Necklace and Porcelain Oriental Head with Big Hoop Earrings. This 1940s-1950s brooch looks to be an unsigned Selro or Selini piece. The 1 3/4" pendant comes with a 18" chain. Both are goldtone. The pendant is set with a handpainted porcelain face, big hoop earrings, and a yellow rhinestone accent. There is wear to the goldtone finish and some wear to the handpainting. LH142-06 - $42
Charming Antique Telephone Earrings. Before cell phones, other quaint methods of communicating existed. In the 1920s you might have used a candlestick phone, as depicted on these figural clip earrings. The earrings display the phone components dangling as charms against a brushed silvertone rectangle. They measure 1" tall and are in excellent condition. LH169-06 - $30
