Posted 5 years ago
Parrotbeak
(39 items)
Highly reflective surfaces are a lot more fun to wear than to photograph...
The brooch is a Langani in black and gold. The center is black glass with a gold layer and the surrounding circle is fabric not unlike a ponytail holder. From what I can gather from around the internet, the gold color is likely 14k gold plate. I estimate the brooch to be art deco revival and from the '70s.
Langani is a German jewelry brand founded by Anni Schaad (née Anni Lang) in 1952, encouraged by her success at the Frankfurt Fair that year. The name "Langani" came about in 1954 - I cannot find what her work from the first two years is signed as, if signed at all. It very quickly became a family company, with Anni's husband (commercial director), her sister (photography), her cousin (design), and later her daughters (design & management) all taking part. In 1984, Susanne Kiess-Schaad took over Langani from her mother, who died four years later.
Since I find this an important elephant to address, from what I can gather, the Schaads were cooperative with the nazi regime, but not in agreement. If anyone knows more, I'd like to know.
Aesthetically, Langani's work goes well with my appreciation for Ermani Bulatti and the like. This brooch is a tad tame for my tastes, but the overall collection is stunning, especially where it leans more towards modernism.
