Kaleidoscope effect

Jewellery kaleidoscope

Irish Tara Ware vintage costume jewelry

Irish Tara Ware vintage costume jewelry

Ancient “Book of Kells” inspired round shaped enameled brooch. 5.5 cm. 1950s. Irish Tara Ware vintage costume jewelry

Irish Tara Ware vintage costume jewelry
The world famous sacred manuscript known as “The Book of Kells” is the main inspiration for the jewelry design of the Irish jewelry company Tara Ware Ltd. An old Irish manuscript is the most valuable piece of medieval art. The monks did their best to fulfill the murals, decorating each page with illustrations and ornaments. Written in black, red, magenta and yellow ink on parchment, the book contains 340 pages. Unfortunately, another 30 pages were lost.
Enamel jewelry is the art for which the ancient Irish were famous. The subtlety and intricacy of patterns used in jewelry work amaze with exquisite weaves and curls hand painted in bright colors. Using vibrant multicolor Guilloche enamel, copper, bronze and gilding, the craftsmen created medieval Celtic designs depicting birds and snakes. Traditionally, the marking includes the initials “TW” inside shamrock, or word “Tara” on the back. Accompanied by paper tags or postcards, each jewelry piece told a history of ancient Irish jewellery art, “as old as Ireland herself.”
The company produced costume jewelry for five decades, from 1935 to late 1980s.

Back side of Book of Kells brooch

Back side of Book of Kells brooch

Hallmark

Hallmark printed on the velvet box

Shamrock signature

Shamrock with initials TW

Irish Tara Ware vintage costume jewelry (1935-80s)

1960s enameled gold tone round shaped pin

1960s enameled gold tone round shaped pin

Bird brooch. Gold plated metal, enamel

Bird brooch. Gold plated metal, enamel

Celtic Book of Kells inspired brooch. Copper, ceramics. 4.2 cm

Celtic Book of Kells inspired brooch. 4.2 cm

Claddagh heart in hand brooch. Sterling silver, enamel. 1960s

Claddagh heart in hand brooch. Sterling silver, enamel. 1960s

Gold tone metal, enamel, cloisonne brooch. 1960s

Gold tone metal, enamel, cloisonne brooch. 1960s

Gold tone, red, blue, green, yellow and black enamel bracelet. 1960s

Gold tone, red, blue, green, yellow and black enamel bracelet. 1960s

Rounded edge triangle shape. Copper colored metal, guilloche enamel. 1970s

Rounded edge triangle shape. Copper colored metal, guilloche enamel. 1970s

Silver tone oval shaped celtic design brooch and earrings

Silver tone oval shaped celtic design brooch and earrings

Sterling silver enamel vintage brooch

Sterling silver enamel vintage brooch

Signature

Signature