Sonia Rykiel Brooch
Early 2000s Brooches
2010s Brooches
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
Gold Plate
1990s French Modern Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Late 20th Century Italian Casual Dresses
Early 2000s European Coats and Outerwear
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1980s Unknown Dangle Earrings
14k Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century Modernist Band Rings
Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Cultured Pearl, Gold, Gold-filled
Late 20th Century American Modernist Cufflinks
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Brooches
Crystal, Rhodium, Base Metal, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Brooches
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century British Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1980s French Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1980s Fashion Rings
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Charm Bracelets
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Brooches
Bronze, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s Unknown Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s American More Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century American Retro Brooches
Gold Plate
Recent Sales
20th Century French Brooches
1990s Brooches
Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Brooches
1990s Brooches
Early 2000s French Brooches
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Other, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Coats and Outerwear
Vintage 1980s French Link Bracelets
Gilt Metal
1990s French Baroque Revival Brooches
Gilt Metal
1990s French Baroque Revival Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
1990s Brooches
Base Metal
1990s French Brooches
Vintage 1980s French Modern Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary French Brooches
Early 2000s French Brooches
Mixed Metal
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.