Posted 7 years ago
plein-air-…
(157 items)
Signed KTF and the number 32, this brooch is in the Brunialti book (American Costume Jewelry. N-Z : Art & Industry, 1935-1950) and is described as the combination of two patents. Brunialti gave it 4 stars. How many would you give it?
maximum stars for sure!! Its gorgeous!
There is wonderful little antiques mall, which used to have the most wonderful jewelry cases. My mother told me about it. How she found it I don't know. She was always a porcelain/glass collector. But there was dealer that had fabulous things. Maggie, a long time employee of the mall tld me that the dealer i really admired, was selling off her parents antiques and jewelry store. What a store that must of been. I have seen several incredibly rare pieces there, really moderately priced, but more than I could afford. One day after the mall moved to its new, smaller location, I went in and saw this in her case. It wasn't that expensive, and I had seen it in the Brunialti book. So I just bought it. I'm not sure this dealer is there anymore. I think she has moved online. She just had the most fabulous things. She had the most fabulous Trifari pieces.
Thanks Eileen. I agree, the hunt is so fun.
Hi. I don't know who the Trifari expert is, but this is my understanding of how the invisible set stones were done. The stones were made as a single piece of waffle like glass. The glass was bezel set in the leaf shape, but glued as an additional security. The leaf vein is also in place over the leaf ( as as you see is set with tiny rhinestones). On the back side you can see where the leaf was drilled and a rivet was used as a structural support. The difficulty is the rivet would be hammered. One slip and you can hit the glass and crack it. In addition, drilling the glass can be a bit tricky, too. Only on the leaves do you see this. Most applications, like the earrings, there is a much small piece of the invisibly set glass used. I hope the expert concurs with this analysis.
Not a "costume" joolie... but I LOVE your brooch!
I must visit the costume jewelry CW part... ;-)
What a find!!!
Beautiful piece, the red leaves here remind me of the lovely anthuriums I saw there, both in plant form and cut in table vase arrangements.
Maureen, Ken mentioned you have written a book on Trifari, is this true, if so congrats on sharing your expertise on this great brand:)
Hi Newfld,
Thanks for your beautifully descriptive comment. I did write a book on Trifari. It's available on the Amazon Kindle.
I don love the Trifari brand. I also have written on costume jewelry, Native American Jewelry and Scottish Jewelry.
Best,Maureen
Hi Eileen, Thank you. Maureen
Awesome! Happy New Year!
Hi Eileen, Happy Easter. Thanks for stopping by this post again. Thrilled that such a knowledgeable and savvy collector appreciates this piece.
Best, Maureen
I never thanked all you collectors for stopping by and loving one of my favorites of all time. So here goes!
Thanks
JohnstonJewels
MALKEY
Mrstyndall
kyratango
Ms.CrystalShip
jeweled
raven3766
chollagardens
Re-In-Vintage
Newfld
aura
lentilka11
TassieDevil
valentino97
freiheit
for the love!
six-o-one Thank you for your compliment and love.
My first time seeing this piece in 2021-- what a treasure!!
Andreamw and Eileen, thanks for the love, comments and pop to the top!
Maureen
Prices on these brooches has skyrocketed since inflation. Just the other day i saw one on ebay, with the asking price of over 12,000.00 dollars. That's a lot of moola for plastic, glass and metal.