Brooches

  • Three Cubes

    This brooch is by modern British designer Jo McAllister who first made jewellery at an evening class in 1988, having previously worked in picture editing for newspapers and magazines.  Her evening classes led to a degree and in 2003 she graduated from the London Metropolitan University with a Masters. Her work is inspired by landscapes…

  • Magnificent Fur Clip

    This magnificent fur clip by Eisenberg is made of silver gilt, which means it is made of sterling silver with a wash of gold over the top.  The brooch dates from the 1940s and is a substantial piece, it weighs over 60 grams (2oz plus) and being a fur clip has the two sharp prongs…

  • Lemur

    This Lemur brooch is by the designer Tom McDowell.  Tom uses children’s drawings as a springboard starting point for his work.  The lemur was chosen by an 11 year old girl who was inspired by the film “Madagascar”.  The brooch is made from anodised aluminium and synthetic flock which he applies whilst running an electric…

  • Cleopatra Cameo

    Cameos became popular during the 19th century, the most common are made of shell like this one.  The craftsman carves away the design so that it stands out in relief from the background. This achieves a contrast between the design (image) in one colour and the background in another.  This cameo depicts Cleopatra, she is…

  • Scottie Dogs

    These Scottie Dogs are a pair of dress clips, they were popular during the 1930s.  A way of jazzing up an outfit cheaply during the tough times of the Depression when buying a whole new outfit was not always an option.  What is unusual about these dress clips is that they are made of glass. …

  • Snowflake

    This is an Eisenberg Brooch dating from the 1980s.  Eisenberg began in 1914 selling ready to wear ladies fashions.  Jewellery was soon added and in 1935 the name Eisenberg Ice was introduced.  Nowadays much of the Eisenberg jewellery business revolves around the manufacture of Christmas jewellery, there are many collectors of Christmas ‘pins’ as they…

  • Owl Face

    This delicate brooch is by the Norwegian designer Marius Hammer.   I found it in a gallery in a place called Ålesund on the NW coast of Norway.  They sold the most beautiful Norwegian enamels. Marius Hammer was born in 1847.  He was the third generation jeweller and goldsmith in the town of Bergen.  He trained…

  • Bug

    This elegant Bug brooch is from the 1920s. The main body of the bug is made of porcelain and the wings are made of brass.  I would love to say the eyes are rubies but I don’t think they are. Insects have been common motifs in jewellery for many years.  The Victorians who loved all…

  • Saint Esprit

    This brooch is from France. It is made of lead paste crystal & silver. During the 18th century the wearing of religious (Christian) symbols as jewellery was highly fashionable. The most common emblem was a cross, which was often richly encrusted with gems.  But in France peasant women wore crosses in the form of a…

  • Abstract Tree

    I bought this brooch a few years ago at an antiques fair in London.  All the dealer could say was it might come from Finland. And so my detective work began. This brooch was made by a small company  Pirkan Kulta Oy, based in Tampere in Southern Finland.  The company was established by Arvi Halinen…