For many decades I have collected vintage Italian micro-mosaic jewelry and there are 3 things I look for in the pieces I collect. This brooch has all 3 : Great condition, an older unique design, and the artistic quality of composition.
Italian micro mosaic jewelry has been made in Italy since the late 1700's. The vast majority of what is available for purchase today was made in the 1950s. This brooch was made in the 1920-1930 era. Finding jewelry of this type older than the 1950s and in great condition is very challenging.
This design is very elegant with the black glass background. This makes the red, white, and yellow flower "pop". Also, if you look closely at each piece of glass in you will see that every piece has 2 or 3 color canes. This is not painted on the glass; it is multicolored caned glass. Note the excellent condition of the glass as well.
All of the glass pieces retain their high gloss shine and there are no broken, shipped, or missing pieces. The frame is a solid backed polished brass with a petite twisted rope border. The clasp is important and helps date this brooch. It is an old spring-hinge style with a safety pin style clasp. The type of closure mechanism was used on Italian glass mosaic pins from the late 1800's thru the early 1900's. I date this pin to the 1920-1930 era but for these reasons.
Most older designs were geometric in nature and the floral only designs didn't start appearing until about the 1920s. In addition, older designs were also rather crudely made in that the micro pieces of glass didn't fit together very well. Also, the older designs rarely had multi color caning.
Medium in size, the brooch is 1 3/8" long x 1 1/8" tall or 35 mm x 28 mm. The entire pin is in pristine clean condition with no imperfections or flaws. The polished brass has a darkened patina in some areas from age. I can polish the brass rope border for you, upon request.
Comes gift wrapped and shipped in a new presentation brooch box.
