Old or Antique Estate Bronze Skull Memento Mori Stick Pin with Glass Eyes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Memento Mori stick pin. With a figural bronze skull with glass eyes mounted on a gold filled pin shaft. The skull has a textured surface & detailed teeth and is moun...
Bronze
Unavailable
H 1.4 in W 1.6 in
Momento Mori Skull and Bones Brooch in 15 Karat Gold with Enamel and Rose Cut
Located in Houston, TX
This unusual memento mori brooch has hair inside of the deceased.
Diamond, 15k Gold
Georgian Carved Memento Mori Skull Stick Pin
Located in Boston, Lincolnshire
A Rare Antique Georgian c.1800s "Memento Mori" skull stick pin. Memento mori from Latin means: "remember that you must die". Memento mori jewellery was very popular at the Georgian t...
Silver
Unavailable
Dm 1.5 in L 0.63 in
Antique 18 Karat gold Early Victorian Memento Mori Sentimental Set of Brooch and
Located in Miami, FL
• Early Victorian • 18k gold • A brooch with white enamel measuring 38mm by 16 mm • A pair of earrings measuring 53mm by 13mm by 10mm • Brooch weight: 17.9 grams/ 11.50 dwt • Earrin...
Gold, 18k Gold
24K Gold and Black Enamel Memento Mori Brooch Inset Hair Weave
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Mid 19 century 1840's Inset hair weave Remember me in elaborate calligraphy script 24K gold human hair black oval enamel pin pinback. Rounded back 1.5" long 1.25 wide x .5" depth.
Metal
Yellow Gold Diamond Victorian Mourning Brooch -14k Mine Memento Mori Antique Pin
Located in Greensboro, NC
Era: Victorian Date: 1860s - 1870s Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Diamond Cut: Mine Style: Mourning Brooch Fastening Type: Hinged Pin and C-Clasp Theme:...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Memento Mori Skull Pendant 9 Carat Gold Brooch, circa 1880
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This wonderful antique Memento Mori Skull and cross bones pendant/ brooch is Victorian, Circa 1880.
9k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
$1,250
W 0.4 in D 0.32 in L 2.45 in
Antique 17th / 18th Century English Foiled Stuart Crystal Stick Pin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Stuart Crystal stick pin. Set with a faceted rock crystal, traces of pink and red foil, and a gold wire cypher. The pin is likely adapted from an early 17th or 18th ...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Late Victorian 10 Karat Gold & Seed Pearl Stick Pin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Late Victorian 10k gold & seed pearl stick pin. With a lotus shaped flower that has a small white round seed pearl set at its center. Simply a great stickpin! Date...
Pearl, Gold
Victorian Bronze Owl Stick Pin
Located in New York, NY
Large Victorian Bronze Owl Stick Pin with glass eyes from the mid 19th Century. Beautifully detailed bronze with 9k gold shaft. Owls were a symbol of wisdom and protection in the 19t...
Bronze
Antique Gold Devil Stickpin
Located in New York, NY
Antique Devil Stickpin from the turn of the 20th Century. Beautiful detailed with emerald eyes and a mischevious grin in 14K gold. Rare and unusual subject matter. 2.8", Motif .5" x ...
14k Gold
Vintage Nickel Skull Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the 'Vintage Nickel Skull', a striking blend of macabre charm and timeless craftsmanship. Crafted from nickel with intricate details, this piece captivates with its unique a...
Nickel
Rare Moonstone Man in the Sun Stickpin
Located in New York, NY
Rare Man in the Sun carved Moonstone Stickpin in 14k gold with fine detailing. A corrugated gold "sun" frames the carving and within, a red foil is hidden to create an firey, inner g...
Moonstone, 14k Gold
Victorian Coral Stickpin of Figural Face in the Motif of the Grotesque
Located in Baltimore, MD
We love our wonderfully esoteric Grotesque man (or "other") crafted by a talented unknown carver in the 19th century from a chunk of the most desirable orange-red toned coral. Connoi...
Coral, 15k Gold
Victorian Rose Diamond Jockey Cap Stickpin
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Jockey's cap stickpin of patinaed silver with rose cut diamonds, on a shaft of twisted 14 karat gold. 1890's USA. Excellent Condition.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 18K Gold Figural Hound Dog Head Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique gold stickpin. In 18 karat yellow gold (with a 10k pin stem). In the form of a scent hound dog (possibly a beagle, coonhound, or foxhound) in profile. Simply a wond...
18k Gold
Antique 14K Gold Seed Pearl Cannetille Stick Pin, Late 19th Century
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A beautiful and historically significant antique Dutch 14 karat gold stick pin, dating to around 1900. The finely crafted circular top is made of delicate openwork filigree, compose...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$877
H 2.76 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Antique High Carat Gold Victorian Classical Mask Motif Stick Pin c.1880
Located in Worcester, GB
Antique High Carat Gold Victorian Classical Mask Motif Stick Pin c.1880 A fine quality antique stick pin featuring a dramatic classical mask or grotesque head finely cast in a high...
Gold
$668 / item
H 2.76 in W 4.73 in D 0.4 in
Antique Gold Stick Pin Featuring Classical Grotesque Mask, English, c.1880
Located in Worcester, GB
Antique Gold Stick Pin Featuring Classical Grotesque Mask, English, c.1880 A fine-quality antique gold stick pin, featuring a dramatically expressive head cast in 20-carat gold, mode...
Gold
$1,198Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.63 in D 0.24 in L 3 in
ENGLAND 1890 Neo Gothic Stick Pin With Griffin In 18Kt Gold With Euro Diamond
Located in Miami, FL
A Victorian neo-gothic stick with a Griffin. Beautiful stick tie-pin created in England in the late 19th century, back in the 1890. The piece was designed during the late Victorian ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,982
H 0.61 in W 0.35 in L 3.31 in
Antique Labradorite, Diamond, Enamel and Gold Monkey Head Stick Pin, Circa 1920
Located in London, GB
An antique monkey stick pin, with a pale grey, carved, labradorite monkey head, with rose-cut diamond eyes, in rub over settings, with a white enamel collar and black enamel bow tie,...
Diamond, Labradorite, Gold, Enamel
Late Victorian 18 Karat Gold Bacchus Satyr Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a polished gold grimacing face of the satyr god Bacchus With long ears and stylized hair Tested as 18 karat gold Circa 1890 Head measures: 1/2 x 3/8 inch Total lengt...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Nouveau 18 Karat Gold Pan Mythological Greek God Head Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Stickpin designed as profile of Pan - god of the wild Accented by stylized face with textured hair and horns Tested as 18 karat gold Circa: 1905 Pan head: 1/2 x 1/2 inch Total l...
Gold, Yellow Gold
Small Skull Rosary Silver
By Jade Jagger
Located in London, GB
Jade Jagger’s silver small skull rosary is a finely crafted necklace featuring tiny, intricately detailed skull beads made from polished silver. The beads are linked together by deli...
Silver
$656Sale Price / item|20% Off
Dainty Heart Cut Ruby Unisex Ring in 18k Solid Yellow Gold, Signet Ring for Her
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Dainty Heart Cut Ruby Unisex Ring, Signet Ring for Her in 18K Gold featuring natural ruby of 0.25 carats. The gorgeous handcrafted ring goes with every style, every occasion or any o...
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,375
H 0.95 in W 3.15 in D 2.37 in
Rare circa 1900 Sterling Silver Diamond and Enamel Powder Compact with Lipstick
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer For sale this stunning circa 1900 French or Italian Sterling silver Diamond & Enamel powder compact with lipstick A very good looking a...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Late Victorian Opal and Diamond Tiara
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian opal and diamond tiara/necklace, consisting of seven knife-edge gold bars graduating from the centre, each set with two round cabochon-cut opals and an old-cut diamo...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
Georgian 18 Carat Gold and Black Enamel Mourning Band
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A wonderful antique Georgian mourning band. The band is in-stepped and set with black enamel and gold lettering reading "IN MEMORY OF". Modelled in 18 carat yellow gold. The inside ...
Yellow Gold, Enamel, Gold
Rare Chanel Vintage S/S 1989 Grecian Goddess Ivory Gold Pleated Gown
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
An ethereal and rare Chanel creation from the Spring/Summer 1989 collection, designed under Karl Lagerfeld’s direction. This gown embodies timeless elegance, drawing inspiration from...
John Galliano Rare Dolores Intarsia Carnation Bias Evening Dress
By John Galliano
Located in New York, NY
A rare John Galliano bias cut Carnation dress from the Dolores collection, Autumn-Winter 1995-96. Of Bianchini Férier ivory and black satin backed rayon acetate crêpe inset with int...
$17,600Sale Price|20% Off
Rare 1990 Versace Atelier Egyptian One-of-a-Kind Heavily Beaded Runway Gown
By Atelier Versace, Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 1990 custom made gown designed by Gianni Versace for his Versace Atelier label. High neck sleeveless dress fashioned of rich green damask silk; adorned throughout with weighty...
Iconic Archival Alexander McQueen SS 2012 Laser Cut Silk Lace Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Berlin, BE
Absolutely iconic Alexander McQueen SS 2012 Laser Cut Spine Lace Dress. Exuding an enigmatic allure that's both cutting-edge and timeless, the Laser Cut Black Leather Lace Dress fro...
A Pair of Rare Late Georgian Diamond Earrings
Located in London, GB
A pair of late Georgian open-work diamond drop earrings, set with three graduating old brilliant-cut diamonds, the principal pear shaped diamonds weighing approximately 3.5 carats th...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
$1,835Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Georgian Mourning Ring, 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Blue Enamel and Hairwork
Located in NEWARK, GB
This beautiful antique Georgian era, late 18th century mourning ring is truly a beautifully crafted piece. It features a beautiful large oval face housing a lock of plaited dark blo...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$5,000
H 2 in W 1.5 in
Antique Rose Cut Diamond Enamel Portrait Locket Necklace 14 Karat Gold Victorian
Located in New York, NY
This is a Museum Quality Antique Victorian - Belle Epoque Locket Pendant with exquisite Enamel Portrait decoration, set with a Rose Cut Diamond and the word "Memoria." The locket is...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Victorian Black Enamel Locket Front 18ct Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Antique Victorian Black Enamel Locket Front 18ct Yellow Gold Ring inscription reads “ for memory of my dear mother May 10/94” The item comes without the box in the photos but wil...
Yellow Gold, Enamel
Sterling Skeleton with Hand Hammered Jewels in 20k and 22k Gold
By RIMA JEWELS
Located in New York, NY
RIMA JEWELS hand carved skeleton single earring in sterling silver is composed of 16 moving parts. Collect a serious addition to the memento mori tradition with this astonishing obje...
18k Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
$12,000
W 0.99 in D 0.75 in L 2.09 in
1676 Friedrich von Arenstorff Intaglio Fob wax Seal Rock Crystal Silver
Located in SE
Unique 17th century fob pendant in silver mount with 3 seals carved in solid rock crystal,in original wood and leather case box that used to belong to Friedrich von Arensdorff (1626–...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Silver
Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, Edwardian Race Horse, Essex Glass & Diamond Stick Pin
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Stick Pin 18ct Yellow Gold Circa 1900 This exquisite 18ct Gold Edwardian Stick Pin is a true masterpiece, perfect for any racing enthusiast. Featuring a beautifully crafte...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.
While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like Gucci, Versace, Dior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step.
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. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.
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 for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.
The care that went into crafting this jewel, with its lifelike carved petals and diamond accents, matches the sentiment it represents.
For starters, it is one of the jewelry designer’s most celebrated works.
Though it sparkles with more than 27 carats of diamonds, this multifaceted gem delivers more than just dazzle.
Stellene Volandes takes us on a glittering, engrossing tour through the centuries.
From cameos to cigar bands, here are the looks on our radar this season.
The philanthropist and heiress was an avid jewelry collector, and her trove of Jean Schlumberger creations embodies the love of nature she shared with the famed designer.