Frank Gargano vintage costume jewelry (1940s)
The short history of Frank Gargano (Gargano Garman) jewelry began in Providence Rhode Island. According to the Brunialti catalog, freelance designer F.J. Gargano patented several brooches between 1946 and 1947. Made in series, collections of little brooches had a plot. For example, circus series which included a boy on an elephant, a bear cub on a bicycle, Carousel Merry Go Round, as well as Mexican motifs, comets and other figurals.
Handcrafting his wearable art pieces, the designer used 925 sterling silver, gold, metal alloys, art glass, rhinestones and crystals. Gargano marked his pieces “sterling” or “Garman sterling” and added “pat”, that meant all brooches had patents.
Unfortunately, we know almost nothing about Frank Gargano himself.
High quality craftsmanship jewelry of this designer is extremely rare and very valuable. For example, an approximate price for the caged bird brooch (the above picture) can reach $500. Accordingly, there is a risk of buying a fake.