Posted 14 years ago
TamaraB
(60 items)
Just got this brooch, cleaned and put 2 new marcasites in because they were missing. In the last photo it shows the makers marks, Sterling Germany. Its made of Amazonite, Coral, and Marcasites and 2 3/8 x 1 3/8". I think it was made by the Theodor Fahrner Firm in the late 1920's because of the marks, style and form. If you have the book Jewelry between Avante Garde and Tradition you can find similar pieces in the evening jewelry section pg. 199. Do you agree/disagree? Who do you think made it?
1-19-11 I recently found a similar design by Gustav Brendahl in an Art Deco Book. Their photo was enlarged. Photo2
Photo 4 you can see the labeling Sterling Germany that is in a rectangle shape that is soldered onto the frame. This style of labeling is how it is done in the book. Except it does not have the TF in the circle, clearly identifying it as a Theodor Fahrner Piece.
I have a green "stone" in a ring that I can't identify but it looks like what you are calling amazonite, I initially thought it was glass but really not sure. Are there certin characteristics that would be helpful in making a positive ID? Or if you can tell from the photo, I would appreciate it. Thanks Hapoli
Hi Hapoli, I think I looked at your rings when you first posted them. They look very nice. If they are set in silver, it is possible that the large square one is amazonite. Amazonite is somewhat translucent when polished, it is similar to labrodite if you know what that is. It was used in the early 1900's as a gemstone, but not so much now (according to my gemology book). You can enlarge my photo's and then magnify them to get an idea what the stone should look like. The middle one may be glass, the one on the right may be green onyx or dyed chalcedony. I would take them to a gemologist for positive identification if you are planning to sell them. Or should I come to Hawaii and take a look? ;-)
I know it's been 2 years since you've posted this but I have just seen a picture of a signed Fahrner brooch in the book "Amazing Gems" by Deanna Cera and you should check it out: http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/1/0/1/7/7/7/webimg/655543683_o.jpg
Note: I read somewhere that several different people designed for the Fahrner firm over the years, and if you feel Gustav Brendahl created your brooch, I wonder if some of the designers possibly worked for more than one manufacturer throughout their career, or perhaps, produced their own jewelry before or after working for Fahrner. I don't have a reliable source of info for that information and hope visitors or contributors to this forum could pitch in with some advice, I'd love to know more.
I love ...love ..love these pieces...so DECO!!!!! I love pieces from GERMANY!!! I cannot get enough of those! They are soo well made and incredibly artistic!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!
Many years later...Gustav Braendle bought the business in 1919 after the death of Theodor Fahrner and Gustav Braendle Jr. designed some pieces from around 1929. This is definitely a piece from the Fahrner workshops.
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