Fox Trombone
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Austrian Brooches
Pearl, Yellow Gold
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Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Bangles
Garnet, Mandarin Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Drop Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1770s Portuguese Georgian Dangle Earrings
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Brooches
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Drop Necklaces
Garnet
Antique 1820s English Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Late Victorian Stud Earrings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Band Rings
Garnet, Rose Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Brooches
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Art Deco More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s American Modern Brooches
Antique Late 19th Century European Dangle Earrings
Garnet, Silver
Antique 1840s Unknown George V Drop Earrings
Garnet, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Czech Georgian Brooches
Garnet, Gold-filled
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.
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