Orchid enameled sterling silver brooch. Aksel Holmsen vintage costume jewelry

Aksel Holmsen vintage costume jewelry
The history of the Aksel Holmsen jewelry brand began in 1904, when a Norwegian silversmith Aksel Holmsen (1973–1962) opened a small workshop in Sandefjord. However, before opening his own workshop, Holmsen studied jewelry for many years. In particular, in the workshop of famous Norwegian silversmith David Andersen in Oslo. There he studied filigree work, the creation of delicate decorative patterns from silver and gold wire. After completing his general studies in 1901, he continued to work for David Andersen until 1904.
A talented craftsman and businessman, Holmsen has become a successful major supplier of enamel and silver jewelry all over the world. Most of his gilded silverware with enamelled guilloche patterns contain a modernist aesthetic. In 1950 Holmsen retired and his son Ivar, who had been with the company since 1942, took over the company. In 1962 Aksel Holmsen died, and his company filed for bankruptcy in 1971.
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Mayflower 1940s brooch. 12 K Gold filled, carved lucite. 9 cm. Signed Winard vintage costume jewelry

Signed Winard vintage costume jewelry
The history of the American company Winard Jewelry Co. covers two periods – a fairly short one from 1946 to 1958, and from 1964 to 2005.
Located in New York NY, a small jewelry company produced exquisite jewelry in very limited editions, and sold them in jewelry boutiques. Traditionally, craftsmen used 10, 12, and 14 carat gold fillings. Accordingly, jewelry markings include the Winard company name and the purity of the gold filling, such as 12K G.F. Also, the craftsmen of this company used precious stones – corals, pearls, jade and ivory. Distinguished by exquisite designs, quality materials and meticulous handcraft, Winard jewelry is rare in the vintage jewelry market, and highly collectible .
Noteworthy, Winard closed its doors in 1958, but six years later the company was reborn. According to Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office, Winard Inc. registered two trademarks on March 27, 1964 – “Winard” and “Elm”. Both companies produced men’s and ladies jewelry – tie clips, cuff links, key chains, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, hair pins, and anklets. The materials and product labeling have not changed since 1964. Accordingly, it is very difficult to determine the period of manufacture of a product, whether it was made in the 1940-50s or in the 1960-80s. The companies ceased to exist in 2005.
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Maltese cross brooch. Gold tone textured metal alloy, enamel, crystals. 5 cm. 1980s. Signed Pisces vintage costume jewelry

Signed Pisces vintage costume jewelry
The history of American vintage jewelry brand Pisces spans more than 43 years. Founded in 1977 by Enrique L Lopez, the company’s and the store address is 5 S Wabash Ave, Ste 1107, Chicago, Illinois. The company specializes in wholesale and retail, custom made jewelry and repair. Talented jewelry maker and businessman Enrique Lopez is 75 today and his store offers many unique, high-end pieces created by him.
The company with $1.2 million in annual revenues, Pisces employs approximately 7 people, and some of them have worked since 1977. Traditionally, the craftsmen use high quality materials, including gold or silver plated metal alloys, rhinestones, art glass, enamels and semi-precious stones. Made in 1970-90s in limited editions, signed “Pisces” with a copyright sign hand crafted jewelry is quite rare and highly collectible.
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Crab realistic hand crafted brooch. Pewter. 5.5 cm. 1970s. Salisbury Pewter vintage costume jewelry

Salisbury Pewter vintage costume jewelry
The history of U.S. family owned jewelry company ‘Salisbury Pewter’ began in 1979 in a small town of Easton, Maryland. The secret to the quality is that each piece is made by hand – hand-spun, hand-trademarked, and hand-polished to look like silver, but much cheaper. Vintage cuff bracelets, mostly “Flower of the Month” series, as well as pendants and brooches by this company are rare and highly collectible.
According to the article in The Washington Post (July 12, 1990), the company has earned a reputation as the maker of pewter for presidents. Among them, in particular, Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Thus, they took 352 pewter jewelry boxes from Salisbury Pewter to the summit in Helsinki in 1988. Also, among regular customers are members of Congress, and other officials. In 1990 Tiffany & Co presented four items from Salisbury Pewter in Christmas catalog. Noteworthy, Tiffany has been a customer of Salisbury Pewter for several years, although under Tiffany’s name.

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Crystal Maple leaf rhodium plated brooch. 6 cm. 1960s. Signed Keyes vintage costume jewelry

Signed Keyes vintage costume jewelry
Sherbroo, Montreal, Quebec based company, “Keyes Jewellers Mfg Ltd” began producing costume jewelry in 1958 and ceased to exist in late 1990s. Traditionally, they produced handcrafted high-end costume jewelry with the use of gold and silver plating and metal alloys, rhinestones, crystals, faux pearls and enamel. All pieces of this Canadian jewelry brand have marking “Keyes” in oval frame.
Thanks to high quality materials and exquisite designs Keyes vintage jewelry is considered collectible.
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Little angel fine pewter brooch lapel pin. 4.5 cm. 1990s. Signed LCD Lindsay Claire Designs vintage costume jewelry

Lindsay Claire Designs vintage costume jewelry
The history of vintage jewelry marked “LCD” (Lindsay Claire Designs) began on July 1, 1993, and spans a fairly short period, just over a decade. Located in Niagara Falls New York, the company thrived until the early 2000s. In 2006 Canadian couple Gord and Donna Doeler bought LCD and the company moved to their hometown of Barrie, Ontario. The Doelers had been making fine pewter products for 12 years before retiring.
Since 2018, the new owners of LCD – well-known US manufacturer of pewter gifts and collectibles Hampshire Pewter, located in Somersworth, NH.
However, it is the hand crafted LCD-labeled costume jewelry, mostly lapel pins made from fine pewter between 1993 and the early 2000s that is considered vintage and highly collectible.
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Japanese cat with umbrella 24 K gold plated brooch pin. Signed AIC vintage costume jewelry

AIC vintage costume jewelry
The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) is an art museum and institution of higher education in Chicago, Illinois. The main educational specializations are architecture and fine arts. Curated by James Cuno, the museum is renowned for its extensive collection of Impressionist and American art. The Museum Shop offers the widest assortment of museum adaptations from around the world, gifts, and jewelry, which is truly wearable art.

Among most notable jewelers who produced costume jewelry reproductions based on art collections, were Multilana, ACME Studios, G & G, and more. Manufacture of costume jewelry started in 1985. Traditionally 24 K gold and silver plated, made in limited editions, these pieces are rare, unique and highly collectible.
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