Posted 8 years ago
freiheit
(1224 items)
This is a really large engraved brooch. It measures 2 and one half inches. It is very well made and in excellent condition. I believe it dates to around the middle of the last century, anywhere around 1940's to the 1960's. I am still not sure about the mark. I would like to find out when it was used and what the connection Burkhardt/Birks was, or if this is just plain wrong.
The brooch is marked with the letter B in a hexagon for Burkhardt/the Canadian retailer Birks. Birks is still around and sells mostly upscale merchandise.
Looking on the web, I find that many pieces of vintage sterling jewelry marked that way are not selling for much even though the quality, workmanship, and design are really superb.
Thanks for looking:)
Many thanks, Karenoke:)
Mary, I think this is a good idea, only I feel a bit silly. I should be able to keep searching the Internet and find the right information. But I will keep it in mind, and when I muster all my courage, I will send them an e-mail:)
Have one of these or very similar. It's Birks made in Ontario I believe.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/211863-sterling-silver-brooch
You are right, Caperkid, yours is very similar!
I am learning more about the mark. So far, I found out that the mark is still registered. It dates back to 1953 and does belong to Burkhardt Jewellers Ldt. of Toronto, Canada. For that reason, my brooch couldn't be made in the 1940's, but rather later. Based on the style, I don't think it is made later than the 1970's.
Now I still need to find out the connection to Birks. This connection could help further in dating my brooch:)
That is, if there really is a connection:)
I think Courtneycollections has a similar piece as well.
I will have a look at her piece. Thanks for pointing this out.
By the way, here is a link of a locket I posted some time ago. It has the same mark.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/184095-very-large-burkhardt-birks-vintage-locke