Trifari Aurora Borealis
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Crystal, Gold Plate, Base Metal
Mid-20th Century Central American Modernist Chain Necklaces
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1950s American Modern Choker Necklaces
2010s Italian Beaded Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s Retro Link Necklaces
Crystal
Vintage 1950s French Beaded Necklaces
Mixed Metal
2010s French Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown More Jewelry
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1970s French Modern Link Necklaces
Brass
Vintage 1950s American More Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s American Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1940s American Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Link Bracelets
20th Century American Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches
1990s Unknown Modern Brooches
Base Metal, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1960s American Beaded Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1960s American Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1980s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Mid-20th Century American Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Link Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Modern Link Bracelets
Vintage 1950s American Modern Brooches
20th Century Brooches
Vintage 1950s American More Necklaces
Vintage 1950s American Contemporary Brooches
Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Trifari for sale on 1stDibs
Costume jewelry maker Trifari is widely loved for its fine craftsmanship and complex designs for necklaces, brooches and other jewelry and accessories.
The company was formed in New York during the early 1920s, when its partners Gustavo Trifari (who descended from a family of jewelers), Leo Krussman and Carl Fishel (business associates in hair-ornament manufacturing) recognized, as other designers during the Art Deco era such as Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had, that fashion trends for affordable jewelry for everyday wear represented an opportunity (and that the popularity of shorter hairstyles didn’t bode well for their haircomb business).
Initially called Trifari, Krussman and Fishel Jewelry (T.K.F.), the trio eventually shortened their brand’s name, at the suggestion of an advertising professional, to Trifari in order to evoke the romance of Gustavo’s native Italy.
The hiring of French designer Alfred Philippe as head designer in 1930 was pivotal to Trifari’s success. A master craftsman who had worked with both Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, Philippe set about establishing the same high-quality standards of materials and craftsmanship in the design of fashion jewelry and trained other Trifari artisans to do the same. Settings were delicate; crystals were hand set; designs, which sometimes featured dazzling floral motifs or exquisite depictions of marine life, were sophisticated and elegant, having both the look and feel of fine jewelry. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower wore a Trifari parure of faux pearls to her husband’s presidential inauguration in 1953 and Trifari glass pearls to his inaugural ball in 1957.
Before retiring in 1968, Philippe created Trifari’s most recognizable designs. In the 1930s, when the company was custom-making accessories for the stars of Broadway musicals, it was the crown motif: These brooches became so often identified with the brand that a crown was eventually incorporated into the trademark. In the 1940s, the “Jelly Bellies” inspired affection as well as knockoffs; these were animals, birds and insects sporting a “belly” of clear Lucite. Clip-Mates were another favorite and a technical marvel — two dress clips that, joined together, created a brooch.
Find a wide range of vintage Trifari jewelry on 1stDibs.