Portugese lady in folk dress sterling silver enameled brooch. 6.5 cm. 1940s. Signed Topazio vintage costume jewelry

Topazio vintage costume jewelry
Founded by the second generation silversmiths, Gabriel and Silvestre Ferreira Marques, the history of Topazio trademark began in 1934. Originally, Topazio was a family business founded in 1874 by their father Manuel José Ferreira Marques. His company Ferreira Marques & Irmão, located in Oporto, Portugal, became famous all over the world for its silverware. After the death of Manuel José in 1930, his sons Gabriel and Silvestre Ferreira Marques headed the company. The brothers renamed the company to Topazio after their mother’s favorite stone, topaz.
Along with table silver, the company’s craftsmen hand crafted exquisite filigree jewelry using silver, gold and enamel. The design, in addition to filigree floral decorations, included ethnic figures of people in national costumes. Embodied in pendants and charms attached to filigree bracelets and plates, these enameled pieces look fabulous.
Noteworthy, the two jewelry brands “Topazio” and “FMT Topazio” by Ferreira Marques & Irmão, Lda., registered by the US Patent Office in 1965-1967, ceased to exist in 1987 and 2002.
An exclusive creation of a bygone era, Topazio is reminiscent of the 18th-19th centuries jewelry. Called “Indo-Portuguese filigree”, such adornments first appeared in Portugal in the 16th and 17th centuries, when mariners brought Chinese filigree to Portugal. Having mastered the new technique, European craftsmen began to add colored enamel, precious stones and pearls.
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Grape vine gold tone faux pearl brooch. 1960s. Signed Roma vintage costume jewelry

Roma vintage costume jewelry
The history of Roma costume jewelry trademark began in 1963 in Providence, Rhode Island. Owned by Fairdeal Manufacturing Co., Roma was run by Charles Butterfield Jr. (1930 – 2003). Registered in October 1965, the trademark became inactive in 1983.
Originally jewellery manufacturer, Fairdeal Manufacturing Co. located at 55 Cromwell Street, Providence, began its activity in 1936 and is still active as a Fabrics – Wholesale company.
The designs of this brand’s costume decorations are varied, from classic Christmas decorations and figurative animal decorations to religious filigree and later modernist ones. Traditionally, craftsmen used gold-tone metal alloys, as well as sterling silver, or silver-tone alloys. Other materials include faux pearls, enamel, rhinestones, art glass and even leather. The markings on the back include the word “Roma” in capital letters and the copyright mark.
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Christmas tree brooch pin. Gold tone, Swarovski crystals. 7 cm. 1970s. Rapallo vintage costume jewelry

Rapallo vintage costume jewelry
The history of the Rapallo jewelry brand began 65 years ago in Cranston, Rhode Island. Founded by B.B. Greenberg Co. (jewelry manufacturer since 1961) in 1967, Rapallo trademark ceased to exist in 2007.
Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen used gold and silver tone metal, cultured pearls, enamel, art glass and rhinestones. A classic design with leaf and flower motifs, as well as animal and holiday decorations, this is Rapallo. Packaged in branded boxes, Rapallo jewelry was sold in boutiques and large stores. High quality handicrafts marked “Rapallo” are now rare and collectible.
Obviously, the name of the company comes from the Italian city of Rapallo, located 40 kilometers from Genoa. There are many historical monuments, including those mentioned in ancient manuscripts of the 6th century. For example, the Saints Gervasius and Protasius church. Rapallo is a very clean, noble and cozy city. Noteworthy, Hemingway liked to stay in one of the best hotels of the 19th century, located on a high bank near the port.
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Bouquet of wheat and forget-me-not flowers brooch. Gold plated metal, lucite. 9.5 cm. 1970s. Signed PM Paris vintage costume jewelry

Signed PM Paris vintage costume jewelry
The history of the 1960s-1980s costume jewelry brand P & M Paris is shrouded in mystery. Although some sources indicate the name of the designer Pierre Meunier, there is no confirmation of this. Moreover, the marking itself only indicates that the creator of these jewelry is not one person, but at least two. If it were one person, the & sign would be missing in the labeling.
Noteworthy, the surname of the jewelers Meunier has been known since the 18th century. In particular, the official catalog, published by order of the Imperial Commission in 1855, mentions the goldsmith Pierre Jacques Meunier. According to the catalog, he presented gold, silver and enamel items at the Universal Exhibition in Paris. Pierre Jacques Meunier worked in Paris at 12 rue du Cloître Notre Dame from 1797 to 1809. Today, the eighth generation of Meunier jewelers still runs the family business.
Undoubtedly, behind the products marked with P&M Paris, there is painstaking manual work of talented craftsmen, artistic design, and the use of high quality materials. Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen used metal alloys, and even wood, with gold and silver plating. Also, lucite, enamels, art glass imitating natural stones, Swarovski crystals and rhinestones.
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Rose gold tone lapel pin. 1980s. Mary Kay vintage costume jewelry

Mary Kay vintage costume jewelry
Founded by Mary Kay Ash (1918 – 1963) in Dallas, Texas, American network marketing company began its activity in 1963. In addition to cosmetics, the company produced accessories and costume jewelry.
The history of the Mary Kay jewelry trademark began exactly forty years ago. Registered by Mary Kay Inc. in 1981, the renewed trademark was re-registered in 2015. As you know, the jewelry of this brand was part of an advertising company promoting network marketing. Noteworthy, in the 1980s MK collaborated with well known jewelers, for example, RJ Graziano.
Most often, the company produced fashionable costume jewelry for a variety of occasions. In particular, for various anniversaries of the corporation, for the release of a line of cosmetics and perfumes, etc. However, most often these were jewelry pieces that Beauty Consultants received as a gift, to motivate them for further growth. Thus, the most famous motivational design included the ladder of success, or the staircase to the stars pins. In addition, such decorations were given as prizes when attending seminars and encouraging the most successful sellers.
Handcrafted in the 1980s, such nice knick knacks are now vintage and collectible. MK craftsmen used alloys of metals of gold and silver tone, as well as silver and gold. Also, enamel, art glass, rhinestones, and even precious stones – diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
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Fish sterling silver green gem brooch. 5.3 cm. Niels Erik From vintage silver jewelry

Niels Erik From vintage silver jewelry
Born in 1908, Niels Erik From was one of the most prominent representatives of Danish silver business. His name is among the great Scandinavian jewelry designers, such as Georg Jensen and David Anderson. Niels began working as an apprentice for local silversmiths, as was the custom at the time. Having successfully passed the exam and received a license, he organized his own workshop.
The 23-year-old master began to create unique pieces, and continued to hone his craft. Even the early works of the talented master, including floral and leafy motifs, brought him popularity. However, Nielsen was only able to establish his own company at the end of World War II.
Registered in the southern Danish town of Nakskov, on the west coast of the island of Lolland, the company began operations in 1944. By this time, the master had developed his own unique style following the new modernist tendencies. In particular, clean lines, minimalist and abstract forms. Noteworthy, the greatest heyday and worldwide fame of the company was in the 1960s and 70s, when the company sold its products both in Europe and in the USA.
In the early 1980s, Niels retired, entrusting the business to his son-in-law, Hilmer Jensen, who had worked for the company since the 1960s. Heading the family business after Niels’ death in 1986, Jensen had worked for no more than five years. Unfortunately, the company ceased to exist in 1990.
High quality handcrafted silverware by Niels Erik From is highly collectible and will undoubtedly rise in price.
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Snail brooch. Gold tone metal, enamel, crystals, glass cabochon. 1970s. 5 cm. Maresco vintage costume jewelry

Maresco vintage costume jewelry
The history of American jewelry brand Maresco spans a little more than a decade. Founded in 1974 by Moresco brothers, the company Maresco Ltd. ceased to exist in 1986. The Maresco shop and boutique were located in an old two-storey building in the Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY.
Noteworthy, Maresco relates to a renowned dynasty of Italian jewelers Maresca (spelling variation). The Maresco jewelry dates back to the middle of the 19th century in Ariano Irpino, an ancient city in the Campania region. In the 19th and 20th centuries, many talented Italian silversmiths, gemologists and jewelers moved to the United States. Some of them even succeeded to turn their small family business into successful world famous brands.
Inspired by Italy and ancient Rome, Maresco designs also include Etruscan motifs, and popular in the 1980s haute couture design. Traditionally, the company’s craftsmen used metal alloys, matte gold, bright enamels and multicolor art glass imitating natural stones. The maker’s mark includes Maresco in script, and a copyright symbol.
High quality workmanship handcrafted Maresco pieces are rare and very collectible.

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