Kaleidoscope effect

Black rhinestone gold tone floral design brooch 1960s. Signed Tacoa vintage costume jewelry

Tacoa vintage costume jewelry (1964-1994)
The history of the American jewelry brand Tacoa began in March 1964 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charles Stone (1922 – 2003) was one of the founders of Tacoa Jewelry Inc. Since 1978, owner and president of Tacoa Inc. was John F. McClure (b. 1951). Initially a small family business, the company has grown into a huge corporation with subsidiaries registered over the years in several states. In particular, Rhode Island (1978-1996), Georgia (1964), Delaware (1994), Texas (1994-1996), New York (1994-1998), and Florida (1994). The company went through several re-registrations and mergers. As a result, the subsidiaries ceased to exist in the late 1990s.
The production of jewelry by various workshops explains the variety of materials, designs and styles used. Besides, even such well-known jewelry brands as Florenza and BEAU Jewels created jewelry for Tacoa.
Among the materials used by craftsmen were metal alloys, pewter, silver, gold, plastic, and wood. Also, enamel, genuine lucite and crystal, cubic zirconia, unique shell and mother of pearl, rhinestones and art glass imitating natural stones. Created in different styles, from Boho and haute couture, classic floral and modernist geometric, Victorian Revival and tribal African.

Read more »

Dove Bird oval shaped enameled brooch. 4.5 cm. 1960s. Michaela Frey vintage costume jewelry

Michaela Frey vintage costume jewelry

Austrian jewelry brand founded by Michaela Frey (1926-1980) began its activity exactly 70 years ago. A talented twenty-five year-old artist, Michaela graduated from the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna. She founded the eponymous company Michaela Frey Emailmanufaktur, and opened a small workshop in 1951.
From the very beginning, Michaela used a unique technology of using multi-stage hot enamel mixed with 24 carat gold powder. As an artist, she drew jewelry sketches, showing deep knowledge of ethnic ornaments of different peoples. Influenced by Monet, Klimt, Mucha and Hundertwasser, her jewelry is a wearable art.
Dr. Friedrich Wille joined the business as an accountant and lawyer in 1969, and took over the company in 1972. In 1980s Michaela Frey passed away (she was 54), and her daughters sold the company to Wille. Thus, he became the company’s sole owner. The new chief designer, Simone Grünberger-Wille (she later became his wife) was a professional artist. Simone brought in her colleagues from the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna, who joined the team. Thanks to them, completely new shapes and high artistic level appeared in design. Most notable was Avantgarde collection with geometric shapes and bright color enamel.

Read more »

1960s sterling silver filigree flower pin. Am Lee vintage costume jewelry

Am Lee vintage costume jewelry
The history of the Am Lee costume jewelry brand covers a rather short period, less than two decades. However, the design of Am Lee brooches, necklaces and earrings is easily recognizable. This is a delicate filigree work of sterling silver, glass stones, Austrian crystals, and high quality rhinestones. Noteworthy, the filigree designs by Am Lee entered the “Catalog of Copyright Entries” (1954).
Located at 80 Clifford Street, Providence, Rhode Island, the company produced costume jewelry, often gold and rhodium-plated. Founded in 1946, Am Lee Jewelry Company Inc. ceased to exist in 1962.
According to ads, AM Lee sold its jewelry through wholesalers only, and the representatives were in the US and Canada. In particular, Jerry Morvillo (Providence, R.I.), Howard D. Seebeck and Harry Mitchell (Chicago, Illinois), and J. H. L’Heureux (Montreal, Canada).
The markings on the back of each item include “Am Lee”, and the purity of the metal, such as 1/20 G.F., or Sterling.
Rare and quality handcrafted pieces from this brand are highly coveted by lovers and collectors of vintage and antique jewelry.
Read more »

Elephant gold tone dangle earrings. 1980s. Celine Paris vintage costume jewelry

Celine Paris vintage costume jewelry (1973-1997)

Costume jewellery trademark “Céline Paris” belongs to the French ready-to-wear brand Céline, founded in 1945. It was originally the family business of Celine Vipiana (1915–1997) and her husband Richard, who opened their children’s shoe boutique at 52 rue Malta in Paris. The brand’s first logo was the red elephant (designed by Raymond Payne), which would later appear in Celine brooches, charms, earrings and bracelets.
Successfully developing and expanding its business, the company established itself in 1960 as a fashion brand of ready-to-wear and leather goods. In the 1970s, the company opened its fashion boutiques, perfumes and accessories throughout France and abroad, gaining worldwide fame.
Traditionally, the emergence of new fragrances was accompanied by the release of advertising jewelry, in particular, perfume lockets, charms and pendants. Noteworthy, the production of jewelry coincided with the appearance of the new company logo in 1973. The new symbols, the intertwined “C” Sulky canvas, linked to the Arc-de-Triomphe, are often found in Celine’s jewelry. Very often, Celine’s jewelry designs include symbols of Paris and France. In particular, the Eiffel Tower, French flag, horse-drawn carriage, etc.
It is important to note that Celine Vipiana ran the company and was its designer until her death in 1997. Vintage jewelry created during this period is highly collectible.
Read more »

Venetian mask brooch. Gold plated metal alloy. 1970s. Celine T Saxe vintage costume jewelry

Celine T Saxe vintage costume jewelry
Unique in design, costume jewelry from the French brand Céline T Saxe is extremely rare and highly collectible. Its history began in 1976 in Bouguenais, a small town in western France that is part of historic Brittany. The brand’ creator was Madame Joelle Thieriot, who founded the eponymous company on production of bijoux in January 1976.
Located at the address 48 Rue Jules Valles 44340 Bouguenais, the company produced high quality artisan and runway jewelry. The small team of jewelers handcrafted exquisite pieces using metal alloys, gold, enamel, crystals and art glass. The markings on the back side included the word Celine T. Saxe. Paris on oval cartouche, without copyright mark.
Incorporated in 1976, the company ceased to exist in December 2003.
Noteworthy, there is a similar jewelry brand, Celine Paris, which produced haute couture bijoux in the 1980s. However, this is a completely different company representing the fashionable Parisian brand Celine, and the labeling of their products is different. The marking, in particular, includes words Celine Paris and very often “Made in Italy”.
Read more »

Maple leaf design Postal Service Cap Badge Insignia. William Scully vintage badges

William Scully vintage badges
The history of the Canadian uniform manufacturer William Scully began 145 years ago. The Canadian representative of the London-based company “Welsh Margetson and Sons”, William Scully founded his company William Scully Holdings Limited in Montreal in 1877. Noteworthy, it was the first and only company in Canada to produce caps, helmets, buttons, metal badges and equipment for the militia, the Royal Canadian Navy, the police and other forces.
William Scully died in 1921 and his son Colonel William Gladstone Scully became the company’s president. Since 2001, the family business has been run by William B. Scully, a member of the fifth generation. The company continues producing insignia, buttons, cords, sticks, buckles, regimental badges and pins.
Traditionally, in the manufacture of badges, craftsmen use the classic production technology – stamping, both manually and mechanically. Next stage includes electroplating, where the metal is given the desired color – gold, silver, blue or black. The next stage, carried out manually, is the coating of future badges with cold offset enamels. Thus, the materials and technology for making badges are very similar to making costume jewelry.
Read more »

Yellow gold star design rhinestone clip on earrings. 1980s. Poggi Paris vintage costume jewelry

Poggi Paris vintage costume jewelry
The history of the French brand Poggi for the production of fashionable jewelry began forty-five years ago in Paris. The brand belongs to the Poggi corporation, founded by the young Parisian fashion designer Patrick Battaglia in January 1977. Born in 1951, Patrick still leads the company, being its president. Located at the address 63 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, beautiful Poggi boutique offers affordable and trendy jewelry.
High quality bijoux labeled Poggi is a stylish runway costume jewellery made from alloys of gold and silver tones. Also, art glass of different shades imitating precious stones and rhinestones. Noteworthy, all of this brand’s jewelry is handcrafted in the heart of the Le Marais area in Paris. Accordingly, the labeling contains two words Poggi and Paris.
Read more »