1980s

  • Snake

    This brooch is long, measuring 15 cm, to emphasize the sinewy nature of snakes. The brooch is by James Arpad using the ‘pave’ technique. James’s father Steven Arpad developed using this technique of setting Swarovski flat-backed rhinestones, sometimes referred to as ‘crystals’ on to fashion, accessories and jewellery.  It is said that Steven Arpad decorated…

  • Liner

    Carolee Friedman started Carolee in 1972 after training as an architect. The story goes she set up her business on her kitchen table in Connecticut. Interestingly, she created her jewellery not just to buy and wear but also to collect. In the early 1970s collecting costume jewellery was not seen as mainstream. Today, of course,…

  • London Taxi

    This cute little brooch of a London Taxi is by Atwood and Sawyer, one of the few UK based vintage jewellery companies.  Atwood and Sawyer was founded by Horas Atwood (Mr Sauer was a silent partner) in Wales in 1956, at that time most costume jewellery was made by American firms; Trifari, Coro, Eisenburg etc. …

  • Flower Circle

    This brooch is made of silver in a stylized flower form with a nod to Pre-Columbian design.  I found the brooch in a small jeweller in the Northamptonshire market town of Oundle.  Usually when I purchase a brooch the seller is keen to tell me all about it, in some cases at extreme length, but…

  • Snowman

    This snowman brooch is probably American, there are no marks so I cannot be totally sure.  It is a fairly large brooch measuring 9cm (4”) high.  I like the small details in this brooch, the icicles dangling down from his arms and the red ribbon picked out on his hat. As a child I remember…

  • Three Ovals

    This brooch is from the famous French fashion label Yves Saint Laurent.  In the 1980s there was a revival of costume jewellery, inspired by the accessories in the glamorous USA soap operas of the time – Dallas and Dynasty.  Who can forget Sue Ellen Ewing and her outrageous clip earrings, which she removed every time…

  • Orchid

    This magnificent brooch depicting an orchid is by Stanley Hagler.  Stanley was born in Denver, Colorado in 1923, he graduated with a degree in law from Colorado university in 1949 after his war service.  He initially worked for Miriam Haskell as a business advisor.  In the early 1950s he was challenged to create a piece…

  • Vase of Sunflowers

    This brooch is by Avon, the cosmetic company founded in 1886 and began marketing jewellery in 1971.  For a short period 1980-1984, Avon owned Trifari.  Avon jewellery does not have an identifiable ‘house style’, it was designed with the mass market in mind and is not particularly high quality.  In 2004 Avon began producing an…

  • Squirrel

    This small brooch is by the sculpture Harriet Glen who is based in Dorset in the SW of England.  The brooch is made of 18ct gold with a sapphire eye.  Harriet lived in Australia before moving to the UK, she works from nature and her studio overlooks the countryside where she lives.  She is perhaps…

  • Boater

    This boater brooch is from the 1980s; though it’s not marked so I cannot attribute it to a known maker it is a well-made and weighty piece, which is often a good sign quality.  The main part of the brooch has been detailed giving the effect of the straw of the boater and the ribbon…