Vintage Octopus Brooch
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Octopus Brooch
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Modernist Vintage Octopus Brooch
Crystal, Gold Plate
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Late 20th Century Contemporary Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Platinum
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Vintage Octopus Brooch
Opal, 18k Gold
1870s British Victorian Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Vintage Octopus Brooch
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Romantic Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
1970s American Artisan Vintage Octopus Brooch
Turquoise, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Vintage Octopus Brooch
Paraiba, Tourmaline, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Romantic Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s German Contemporary Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Octopus Brooch
1980s Vintage Octopus Brooch
Ruby, Gold, Enamel
Recent Sales
1970s Vintage Octopus Brooch
Peridot, 18k Gold
1970s Greek Modernist Vintage Octopus Brooch
18k Gold
1990s Italian Vintage Octopus Brooch
1970s Unknown Vintage Octopus Brooch
Gilt Metal
1990s Turkish Artisan Vintage Octopus Brooch
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
1950s Italian Vintage Octopus Brooch
Coral, Sapphire, Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage Octopus Brooch
1990s Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold, ...
1980s Unknown Artist Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
1950s American Retro Vintage Octopus Brooch
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century American Vintage Octopus Brooch
Moonstone, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Vintage Octopus Brooch
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Octopus Brooch
1980s Greek Vintage Octopus Brooch
18k Gold
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 ExpertFebruary 17, 2023To tell if a brooch is vintage, take a look at its fastener. Pieces made during the first half of the 20th century often had a long thin fastener that you push to open or close. This style of hardware is commonly known as a trombone clasp. Locking safety clasps emerged during the 1930s, and jewelers used them throughout the rest of the 20th century. You can also check brooches for a date stamp or research the maker's mark to determine who produced it. Then, consult trusted online resources to determine the age. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or professional jeweler examine the piece. On 1stDibs, find a variety of brooches from some of the world's top sellers.
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