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Boom Sales of Antique Brooches Show A Big Resurgence in Interest

 There is a definite resurgence in the popularity of brooches. For so long these have been seen as something just not ‘en vogue’, but as with all fashions, they come and go as with the tides. The romantic era of the early part of the 20th century saw many brooches set with flowers, animals, hearts and messages. Usually, in 9 or 15 carat gold, a brooch was given as a memento of someone’s love for another.

 Many were just pure fun, and a woman would wear a brooch on a dress or a lacy blouse, and sometimes the brooch would hold the two parts of the blouse together to preserve modesty.   Animals were very popular, swallows with a seed pearl in its beak, frogs, turtles, and especially butterflies. Posies of wildflowers were popular as was the ever popular ‘forget me not’ a message in the name no doubt.

There are many meanings in brooch jewellery.

The serpent has been popular since Roman times, seen as the guardian of wisdom, and was worn by Victorian ladies as a proof of everlasting love. The cameo brooch has been for centuries a popular design but only in the late 19th century was the cameo brooch the item so much see today, this being the shell. This was, in fact, a revival of the original craft, and in 1805, in Sicily, cameos were carved from the Queen conch shell or the helmet shell. The former being cream pink, the latter shades of brown. These skilled craftsmen would fix the shell to the top of a stick, and at

These skilled craftsmen would fix the shell to the top of a stick, and at first, all the outer superfluous layers would be carved await leave a background layer and then carve the design into the white section. The carver would then use fine drills to obtain maximum detail. The Three Graces, and many other classical poses, or female heads were the most popular, perhaps in the likeness of Minerva, Venus, or even Medusa. But it is precious gemstones that still hold their value when

However, it is precious gemstones that still hold their value when they are set into brooches. Sapphires, rubies, emeralds all set with diamonds were the moist popular. These set into crescents, stars, as well as all forms of animal shapes, were hugely popular throughout Victorian times and well into the 20th century, with extravagant designs for the Art Nouveau period, and simple geometric designs for the later Art Deco period, with platinum and white metal being used more for this period. Message brooches are still very popular. The most common, and one used much by soldiers leaving to go to war was the Mizpah brooch. 

Message brooches are still very popular. The most common, and one used much by soldiers leaving to go to war was the Mizpah brooch.  The word comes from the old testament, Genesis. Between Jacob and Laban, he said The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent from another. Often the word would be put onto a brooch, set in a heart with floral decoration, with pearls or diamonds, or even turquoise. 

Collectors who wish to collect brooches can find many at well under £100, and these are usually over 100 years old and are so interesting. Precious gem brooches are obviously more expensive, but a beautiful brooch worn on a fine dress is still one of the most iconic pieces of jewellery a woman can wear. We have a huge range of Antique jewellery in our store

We have a huge range of Antique jewellery in our online store so please look around and feel free to ask us a question by email or by our live chat.

May 12, 2018 — CG Hart