1960s

  • Christmas Tree

    This brooch is from Estonia made during the Communist era.  It was at a time when materials were scarce.  So, this brooch and the others I bought are made of what would be described in an auction catalogue as ‘white metal’ a low grade of silver, not the 925 standard we have in the UK…

  • Triangle with Dangles

    This brooch was made in the 1960s by the Circle Jewelry Company founded by Ben Gartner and his son Michael in New York in 1958 which continued to the mid-1970s. Goldette was the company trademark.  They specialised in metalwork pieces and Victorian revival and some of their work has oriental influences.  Goldette jewellery is not…

  • Helmet

    There is little known about ART jewellery.  Arthur Pepper founded the company in the 1940s in New York, and the company ceased trading sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s.  There isn’t much ART jewellery around on the vintage market and I only have two pieces in my collection.  Every source I have found…

  • Holly

    This is a small delicate brooch made of 18ct gold with two real pearls.  I bought it from a shop tucked up a side street in London.  I would make a detour to have a look in the window and sometimes pop in.  Gradually I got to know the staff, in particular Stephen whose knowledge…

  • Acorn

    This brooch is impressive in scale and has a three dimensional quality to the design.  It is by the American company Cadoro established in 1945 by the actor Steve Brody and Dan Steneskieu, who based their operations like so many costume jewellery companies in New York. After Steneskieu’s death in 1970 the business continued into…

  • Sea Horse

    This sinewy Seahorse is by Ciner from the 1960s and a fine example of their craftsmanship. As well as being a brooch it can also be worn as a pendant, there is a hook at the top.  When I bought it it came with a long chain and its original ticket/tag detailing its style number….

  • Sputnik

    This spikey brooch is by Hobé is sometimes known as a ‘Sputnik’ brooch.  During the 1950s and 60s the ‘space race’ inspired many jewellery designers. William Hobé was the son of the French goldsmith Jacques Hobé who founded Hobé Cie in 1887.  William emigrated to America in the early 20th century establishing a theatrical costumes…

  • Christmas Stocking

    This Christmas Stocking is by Weiss one of the most popular costume jewellery firms in America.  They were based in New York but they did not manufacture their own jewellery, there is in fact some dispute as to whether they even designed their own jewellery. In essence Albert Weiss was the supreme costume jewellery marketer,…

  • 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…

  • Snake

    Christian Dior was born in 1905 in Normandy France.  He opened Maison Dior in Paris in 1946 introducing his ‘New Look’ in 1947. It was a fashion sensation capturing women’s desire for glamour in a post war world, sweeping through Europe and America.  Early pieces of Dior jewellery were designed for specific couture outfits or…