Shoulder Brooches “Angel” and “Demon”. Tortolani vintage jewellery

Tortolani vintage jewellery
Jewellery brand “Tortolani” existed in the United States from 1934 until World War II, and then from 1950 until 1976. Tortolani costume jewelry was extremely popular due to its exciting design. And today, most of Tortolani pieces have a high collection value. Frank Tortolani, founder of the dynasty of jewelers, came to America from Italy in 1923. He created decorations of silver or silver-plated jewelry, with his trademark signature. However, his decorations became recognized and appreciated only in the 50s, after he had got a lot of awards for original design and unique method. He signed a contract with Max Factor in the manufacture of boxes for cosmetics. Now these items are a real rarity. At the same time, he created a nominal jewelry for stars of the time. Among his clients were Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis and many others.
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For Audrey Hepburn, Lane made the legendary necklace of cultured pearls. Kenneth Jay Lane costume jewellery

First of all, Kenneth Jay Lane costume jewellery is a legendary American brand. The massive and luxurious jewelry by KJL is out of time and seasons, and it doesn’t become either old-fashioned or non-wearable. Such things, despite the lack of precious stones and metals, are not so much for shopping season, but for the collection. And such a collection is worth to be inherited. Interestingly, one of the first and perhaps the most prominent connoisseurs of the brand was Jacqueline Kennedy. Meanwhile, Kenneth Lane was a famous virtuoso copying celebrity jewelry, and made perfect copies. Thus, one day Jacqueline Kennedy asked Lane to create a copy of a precious necklace that Aristotle Onassis had given her. Since then, the creator of the KJL brand became known as the “king of counterfeiting and imitation of jewelry.” By the way, Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry appeared in such iconic films, as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, “Dallas”, “Dynasty”, and “Sex and the City”.
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Elizabeth Taylor in 1963 film. Cleopatra legendary jewellery

Cleopatra legendary jewellery
One of the most beautiful women of the ancient world, Great Queen of Egypt of a divine origin, unmatched mistress, was capable to bewitch any man – even if he is Caesar. The mysterious and attractive image of Cleopatra still holds many mysteries and charms for over two thousand years. Historians of antiquity, who observe the life of Cleopatra, are impressed by without doubt, magical abilities of this woman.
But if you carefully read the ancient texts, none of them call Egyptian queen – beauty. Instead, praised her sharp wit and determination, as well as an excellent education. Cleopatra knew seven languages ​​and even wrote philosophical treatises and writings on weights and measures. In addition, she was unsurpassed expert in the field of Women in the Arts – knew the secrets of the special preparation of cosmetic drugs (and poisons!), had mastered the art of dress and jewelry to choose.
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3D Vintage Brooch – cat on lavatory pan. AJC funny jewellery

AJC funny jewellery

American Jewelry Chain Co., known as AJC, lasted quite a long time (1927-1997). Jewellery by AJC was incredibly popular, as this brand produced not only quality, but also the original little things. In particular, various figures of people and animals with funny slogans. And most popular comic theme – figures of Cat in various poses – catching mice, hunting for fish from the aquarium, sitting in toilet, etc. Also, many jewelry decorations made for special days and holidays – St. Valentine’s Day, Christmas holidays, Halloween, etc.
Traditionally, decorations of this firm – marked in capital letters AJC, and also produced jewelry marked AJMC – American Jewelry Manufacturing Company. Since the company closed almost 30 years ago, all of its decorations are collectibles.
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Vintage poster. Mimi di Niscemi jewellery

Mimi di Niscemi jewellery
Named after its founder – the magnificent jeweler Madame Mimi di Niscemi, the company (Princess Mimi di Niscemi) existed from 1960 to 1990. Noteworthy, she has come to this brand not at once. Mimi di Niscemi, born in Palermo Italy, went to distant America to study at the Philadelphia School of Industrial Arts. At the same time she studied and worked in the evenings at a jewelry house Schiaparelli and Arnold Scaasi (“Jewelry by Scassi”).
In addition, Mimi worked and collaborated with such Haute Couture houses as Robert DeMario (1959) and “Brania” (the 60’s), marked jewelry decorations “Brania / Mimi di N”.
And after going a long way in honing her talent in the best fashion houses, having accumulated vast experience, in 1960, Madame Mimi di Niscemi opened her own company in New York. Meanwhile, her jewellery pieces have different markings. In particular, “Mimi Di N”, “Mimi DiN”, “Mimi Di N Design”, and “Mimi DiN Design”. However, the first years, her jewelry pieces were without the labeling the year of manufacture.
Big fame enjoyed her large symmetrical buckles Mimi Di N for the belt with animalistic plot. Founded in 1960 and up to 1995 Mimi Di Niscemi company produced also belt buckles. The company exists to the present time, but produces exclusively belts and belt buckles.
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1990s The Black Dahlia brooch. Nolan Miller jewellery

Nolan Miller jewellery
Born on January 8, 1935 in Burkburnett, Texas, he became known as American designer of cinema. In 1957, Nolan Miller patented his brand in Beverly Hills and began to create images for the film stars of the time, designing costumes and jewelry.
In the series “Dynasty” Miller served as the principal costume designer, and at the same time, a trendsetter. Each week for the series produced dozens of new costumes, including jewelry. In the early 90th the project Dynasty was closed, but the work of Nolan Miller in the movie was not over. Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Smith, Loretta Young, Eva Garbor, Natalie Wood, Joan Crawford, Lucile Ball, Jaclyn Smith, Linda Evans, Sophia Loren, and Joan Collins – only a short list of the names of his clients. Nolan Miller also became famous as the private couturier in Beverly Hills. Also, Miller created his line of jewelry for the famous American chain stores QVC. It’s one of the most popular American stores “on the couch”, which sells luxury jewelry from Nolan Miller Kenneth Jay Lane, Joan Rivers, etc.
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Orchids. Paulding Farnham floral brooches exhibited at 1889 Paris Exposition

At the beginning of the 20th century, Tiffany and Co. produced a number of fabulous, realistic floral brooches. Among them were realistically beautiful exotic orchids – notable designs by a talented jeweler G. Paulding Farnham. Paulding was born in 1859 in New York to a wealthy family. He first started working for Tiffany’s around 1885, having worked for over 23 years, from 1885 to 1908. Farnham became the artistic director of Tiffany’s display of gems in Paris in 1889. These extravagant orchid brooches by G. Paulding Farnham were in the firm’s display at the Universal Exposition of 1900. The brooches were among the twenty-four orchids designed by Paulding Farnham for Tiffany & Co. Paris Exposition in 1889. Tiffany & Co. received the Gold Medal for Jewelry at the Paris Exposition in 1889 largely due to the success of the enameled orchids designed by Paulding Farnham.
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