Amber cabochon 12 K gold filled clip on earrings. 1960s. Signed LSP vintage costume jewelry

Signed LSP vintage costume jewelry (1939-1975)

The history of the L.S.P. jewelry brand began nearly ninety years ago in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Founded by a partnership between Henry A. Peterson and Lester S. Peterson “L.S. Peterson Co Inc” began its activity in the late 1930s. According to all sources, the company began operations at least in 1939. Thus, the Official Gazette of the US Patent Office registered a patent for a bracelet made by the company in 1940. In addition, company managers took part in hearings on the use of silver for war purposes in the US Congress in 1941.
The company made jewelry from silver and gold using natural stones – moss agate, turquoise, tiger’s eye, quartz, hematite and others. The marking on the back side of each decoration includes initials “LSP Co” and “sterling”, or gold purity. The local Navajo silversmiths hired by the company worked in accordance with the creative traditions of Native Americans.
In 1975, Ronald W. Bolivar took over the business and renamed the company to RWB. The head office address of the company changed to 5 Fox Meadow Lane, Wayland, MA, 01778. Noteworthy, RWB Inc. ceased to exist in 1985.
More »

Nickel sterling silver brooch. 1988. Work by American jewelry designer Tony Papp (1961-1991)

American jewelry designer Tony Papp
The life of the talented jewelry designer Anthony Papp was bright but tragic. Born into the family of renowned theater producer and director Joseph Papp (1921 – 1991), he died very young, at the age of 29, and the same year as his 70-year-old father. The cause of his death was AIDS. Having lived a short life, he nevertheless managed to enter the history of jewelry design. This year the designer would have turned 60 and one can only imagine how many jewelry masterpieces he would have been able to create if he had not died so early.
A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, Anthony opened his gallery in the prestigious Trump Tower shopping district in 1986. Noteworthy, the first visitors to the opening were Donald Trump and the famous father of the designer.
Along with his works, Anthony Papp exhibited works by famous and emerging jewelers. However, due to high competition and financial difficulties, the gallery existed for only 2 years. Papp’s modernist metal designs were unable to withstand the brilliant sheen of the famous brands.
During his short life, he managed to teach at art schools and create unique jewelry exhibited in major galleries in his native New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Traditionally, Papp used several metals that created some play in his flowing, three-dimensional geometric designs. According to the designer himself, Russian constructivists inspired him most of all, and he was a constructivist at heart.
More »

Filigree sterling silver porcelain brooch and earrings. 1950s. Delft vintage porcelain jewelry

Delft vintage porcelain jewelry
Dutch porcelain handpainted in blue and white is known all over the world, and its production originated in the 17th century in the city of Delft. Traditionally, craftsmen decorated items with floral ornaments, landscapes, biblical stories, and folklore scenes. A special feature of Delft porcelain is its repeated glazing with transparent lead glaze and final firing at low temperatures. Such production makes products similar to faience.

A symbol of the city and a popular souvenir, blue and white Delft porcelain is embodied in jewelry. Framed with filigree silver patterns, pendants, brooches, earrings and bracelets have similar themes, and mostly windmills. However, the workshops that create these jewelry pieces are located not only in Delft, but also in other towns. Among them in particular, Tholen (Plateelbakkerij Delft), Amsterdam (Plateelbakkerij Delft), Milsbeek (Wijnhoven’s En Franken Aardewerkfabriken), Gouderak (Montagne Aardewerkfabriek), and many others. The list of companies and workshops making Delft porcelain now or in the past is very long. Also, many companies are a family owned businesses, employing several generations of craftsmen.
Noteworthy, the production of jewelry began at the end of the 19th century, and the real boom in jewelry production began after the Second World War. Tourists visiting the Netherlands gladly bought blue and white jewelry as a memory of the trip. Yet, the most popular Delft porcelain items are decorative plates and wall panels. The design of these products is based on famous paintings by Dutch Golden Age painters.
More »

Stylized Bird brooch. Gold plated textured metal, glass cabochons, crystals. 7 cm. 1980s. Signed SAL vintage costume jewelry

Signed SAL vintage costume jewelry
The trademarks of the world famous Austrian brand Swarovski have been registered in several countries. First, in France (1900), then in England (1933), and in the USA (1955).
In fact, the oldest company Swarovski U.S. Holding Limited, located in Cranston, Rhode Island, and incorporated on 31 Jan 1955, is still active. As the company has gone through several changes of owners, mergers and formations of subsidiaries, there are several alternative names in its history. In particular, Swarovski North America Limited, Swarovski America Limited, Jewel Company of America, Inc. and Jewel MFG. Co.

In fact, the history of S.A.L. trademark lasted for two decades – launched in 1986, it ceased to exist in 2007. The trademark’s owner registered in Cranston, Rhode Island was Swarovski North America Limited. Previous company names included Swarovski Consumer Goods Limited, Swarovski Jewelry U.S. Limited, and Swarovski America Limited (president Michael Gentes). The corporation ceased to exist in August 2007. However, this was not the end of the history of the Swarovski trademark in the United States.
Noteworthy, the markings of costume jewelry produced at different times also differed. So, the earliest products (1970-90s), which are now collectible, were marked with the abbreviation S.A.L. and a copyright sign. Later decorations, which were part of the mass production of costume jewelry, had the symbolic swan stamp.
More »

Bouquet of red flowers brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones. 1980s. Ton Pascal vintage costume jewelry (1989-2007)

Ton Pascal vintage costume jewelry
The costume jewelry marked Ton Pascal is unique and bright, as is the biography of its creator. Born in Brazil, Canadian of German-Italian descent, he became known in the world of costume jewellery as a French designer. According to belief, talented people are talented in everything. A financier by training, photographer, artist, costume designer (for 11 films), writer and jeweler, Pascal confirms this theory.
As you know, Paris is the birthplace of jewelry. It was there that Pascal decided to start creating costume jewelry. In 1988 Anton Pascal arrived from Toronto to Paris, where he had lived for 18 years. Founded by him in January 1988 Ton Pascal Design Inc., ceased to exist in July 2013.
More »

Winnie the Pooh brooch. Gold tone metal, enamel, rhinestones. 4.6 cm. 1980s. Vasari vintage costume jewelry (1982-1994)

Vasari vintage costume jewelry
Founded by Jon M. Bratton in 1982 at 61 EAST 8th St. Suite 181 New York, NY 10003, Vasari trademark ceased to exist in 1994. Thus, the costume jewelry company was in operation for just over a decade. Handcrafted in limited quantities, this brand’s jewelry is rare.
Obviously, the brand name is inspired by the great 16th century Italian painter Giorgio Vasari (1511 – 1574). Like the paintings of the great Vasari, embodied in paints on canvas, the masters of this brand embodied their skill in brooches, rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Noteworthy, very often, along with the traditional materials – metal alloys of gold and silver tones, they used 18 carat gold. Also, along with rhinestones, crystals and art glass, there are semi-precious stones such as tourmaline, peridot and others. Markings on rounded rectangular base include “Vasari” in capital block letters with copyright sign.
More »

Tree branch brooch pin. Gold tone textured metal alloy. 8 cm. 1980s. Taratata vintage costume jewelry

Taratata vintage costume jewelry
The history of the costume jewelry brand “Taratata” (aka Jenny, since 23 Jul 1986) began 35 years ago in the town of Caen in the north-west of France. Its founders were Helen, Philippe and Bernard, a creative trio who started their jewelry and accessories making business in a garage.
Painstaking manual work from morning to night, use of high quality materials, and skillful management led to a logical success. Within three years it was J.L.N. joint stock company (incorporated in 1989) with the trademarks “Taratata” and “Rouge Petit Pois”. Accordingly, the expansion of the company led to the opening of new boutiques, including in Paris.
Noteworthy, since 1989, the company began to export its products, so they added the word “France” to the labeling “Taratata”. By the way Taratata means nonsense, rubbish, etc.
Today, Taratata is a world renowned brand of costume jewelry, and the vintage pieces handcrafted in the 1980s and 90s are collectible. Founded in 1986, the Taratata brand is still active. Part of pop culture, Taratata creates unique, unconventional designs that you can see on their vibrant and beautiful website.
More »