Brooch African Head
Antique 1830s Victorian Brooches
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, 9k Gold
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Artisan Brooches
Mixed Metal
Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Drop Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, Enamel, Platinum, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k G...
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Vintage 1980s American Artisan Brooches
Gold Plate, Base Metal, Brass, Gilt Metal, Steel
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Dangle Earrings
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s American Belle Époque Vanity Items
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1950s Unknown Modern Brooches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Link Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Italian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Antique 1820s British George IV Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Baroque Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s French Artist Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Vintage 1960s French Revival Brooches
Agate, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s French Victorian Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Oriental Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century French Retro Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
Finding the Right brooches for You
Antique and vintage brooches, which are decorative jewels traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.
Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones.
Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.
At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany & Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric.
Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.
Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021There are varying traditional names for African head wraps, head ties or head scarves — the head wrap may be called “dhuku” (Shona), “duku” (Chichewa) or “gele” (Yoruba). It is worn for various reasons and has various functions. In Nigeria, head wraps can be quite ornamental and elaborate as compared to their conservative counterparts in South Africa. The motifs might include nagas and other mythological beings and are embedded in the textile to convey sacred themes, often including protection of the wearer from evil forces. On 1stDibs, you can find early 20th century tribal head wraps from different parts of Africa.
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