Rose flower brooch. Antique gold tone metal alloy, pave rhinestones, faux pearl. 6 cm. 1950s. Bellini vintage costume jewelry
Bellini vintage costume jewelry
The history of the American costume jewelry brand “Bellini” spans a period of no more than four decades – from the 1940s to the 1980s.
“Bellini” means beautiful, grandiose, and there is no doubt that the founder of the company was of Italian origin. The marking includes oval cartouche on the back which reads “Bellini” in upper case block letters. In addition, since the 1940s each piece had a foil hangtag attached to the jewelry. The tag had a beautiful black and gold design in the form of notes and a clef with ‘Jewels by Bellini NY” inscription. The designer clearly compared his pieces to the works of the “Creator of Italian Melodies” Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835).
Founded in New York, Bellini handcrafted high quality costume jewellery which has become a collectible rarity. Traditionally, the company jewelers used gold and silver tone alloys, rhinestones, faux pearls, and enamel.
Noteworthy, there are several more brands of costume jewelry of the same name. In particular, Bellini Jewelers Inc. (Las Vegas, founded 1973), Bellini founded in 1978 and closed in 1987, Bellini Creations, and Ugo Bellini (Florence). However, if you look closely at the labeling of these products, it is different for all these companies. Founded by Sheung Mei Liuin in 1988 Bellini By FormArt Corp. (312 Fifth Avenue, 6th Floor, New York) is still active. According to the company statement, “artisans bring over 100 years of combined experience in gluing crystal and jewelry manufacturing”. However, it is another company which signs their pieces with full name “Bellini by Formart”.
Tortoise brooch. Gold tone textured metal alloy, Swarovski crystals. 6.2 cm. 1960s1940s tagSignature
Bellini vintage costume jewelry
Art deco leaf design brooch and earrings. Silver tone, faux pearls, rhinestones. 1960sAutumn leaf brooch and clip on earrings. Gold tone textured metal. 1960sBlue and clear rhinestones faux pearl silver tone broochBow brooch of gold tone. 1980sBrown rhinestone gold tone pinCrown brooch. Gold tone alloy, green and clear rhinestonesFeather leaf design demi parure brooch and clip on earrings. Textured gold and silver tone metal alloyFloral design pin. Gold tone metal, faux pearls, rhinestoneFlower design clip on earrings. Gold tone alloy, clear rhinestones. 1940sGold tone metal textured metal, faux turquoise and pearl brooch. 1960sGreat Bellini designs foil tagLeaf design brooch and clip on earrings. Black rhinestones, textured gold tone metal alloy. 1960sMushroom pin. Gold tone metal, black and white rhinestones. 1970sRhinestone flower brooch. 1950sRibbon spiral design long earrings of gold tone, pave rhinestonesShamrock flower clip on earrings. Silver tone metal, rhinestones, plastic. 2.8 cm. 1980sSignatureSnowflake brooch and clip on earrings. Gold tone, faux pearls, rhinestones. 1960sStarfish gold tone rhinestones brooch and earringsStrawberry textured gold tone broochTulip flower brooch and earrings. Gold tone metal alloy, glass cabochons. 1960sGlass cabochons gold tone brooch and dangling clip on earrings. 1960sMaple leaf textured gold tone faux pearl brooch pinMaple leaf clip on earrings. Gold tone metal, faux pearls, rhinestones. 3 cm. 1960sLeaf design gold tone rhinestones earrings. 1980sLeaf design brooch and clip on earrings. Gold tone metal alloy, rhinestonesMaker’s mark