Posted 11 years ago
Betty1978
(58 items)
This is my Lea Stein brooches collection. As you can see, I have a dozen awaiting to be pinned, but I have to find another board! My collection is small compared to other keen collectors', but I have a few rare pieces which I'm very proud of. ;) I also have a few bracelets, earrings, hair-barrettes and buttons (you can see them in another post), but the brooches are definitely more catchy, especially the serigraphies I think.
Oh I love these :-)
What a wonderful collection...new to me as well! Are they signed? Where do you hunt for them? Are they Bakelite? How old? Fascinating!
Thanks for you comments and interest! Now, let me answer your questions...
Some pins are signed and most of the earliest ones aren't (or have a clasp marked 'Western Germany'). A few of them are signed 'Agatha Paris' (some cats and foxes, the large white dog and the owl) since Lea Stein designed pins for them in the 1990's.
I mainly hunt for these beauties in flea-markets and also on Ebay.
These jewels are not made of bakelite but of cellulose acetate (or 'rhodoid'), which is much lighter.
The oldest pins (all the serigraphies, plus a few others) date from the late 60's or early 70's and the most recent one I own (the panda) came out in 2011. The serigraphies are rare as they were made before all their original patterns were lost when Lea Stein's workshop burnt in the 70's. She never made them again after that. That's why they are so collectible (and sometimes quite pricey!) today.
Lea Stein is still alive (she's 83!) and still makes pins with her husband Fernand. Last year, they produced a pin in the shape of a Gipsy woman named 'Seville'.
Hope this helps!
Thank YOU! ;)
so cool! what is a "serigraphie"?
I love the cats and geometric cicada! So great.
Thanks! A serigraphy is a sort of print. The serigraphy pins are those depicting ladies'faces or flowers and looking like small paintings. The patterns are printed on the plastic.
I love the cats too! My very first purchase was the white sleeping cat.
So pretty, so wonderful, lovely!!!
Thank you !! :)
Betty I love Lea Stein but it is incredibly expensive here in Oz!
A clever girl here has been making brooches I think are a pretty direct take on Stein and has made a good business out of it! I actually have some of hers!
Check it here: http://erstwilder.com/
I would still rather the real ones. Quirky, happy, beautifully designed. I envy you, and congratulations on a great collection. Karen
Thank you Karen! Yes indeed, Lea Stein is quite pricey. I actually bought most of my brooches at flea-markets here in Paris. Lea Stein is not as famous in France as in Anglo-Saxon countries and if you're lucky, you can find great vintage pieces for less than 15 euros.
I know Erstwilder and I think what she does is very nice and of course it is cheaper than LS.
Thanks very much ! :)
What a wonderful post. I always find your pieces so interesting. How are you? Look forward to a new post from you soon :)
Hi Elisabethan,
Happy new year!
Thanks for your kind message! I'm fine. I haven't found the time to write new posts lately and I realize I should definitely catch up. I have a few pieces which I think you might like... ;)
Have a lovely sunday!
Thanks Betty! Have a nice Sunday and Happy new year! I bet you do, I am looking forward to you post :)
I retur to this wonderful post. Just love it. Would want a few posts though with a close up on your brooches. They all look so Lovely!
Your Lea Stein collection is amazing I truly love the animals esp the foxes. Almost bought one of her dragon brooches, beautiful colors but oh so pricey. Hope to see more beauties from you! - Jenni
Thanks Elisabethan and Jenni!
Yes Jenni, Lea Stein jewelry is quite pricey. I bought most of my brooches for cheap prices at car-boot sales and flea-markets here in France. I would love to have a dragon too by the way...
I'm on holiday right now, but I will take detailed pictures of some of my brooches when I come back home, Elisabethan... ;)
Till then, have a nice week!
Well I guess I will just have yo be patient then :) Thanks Betty! Have a nice week.