Kaleidoscope effect

Unique and beautifully made Crocodile on a leaf dress clip. Silver with blackening, copper-colored alligator. 7.5 cm. 1980s. Sylvia Dahl vintage costume jewelry

Sylvia Dahl vintage costume jewelry
Undoubtedly, the design of jewelry marked Dahl cannot be confused with the design of other jewelers. Traditionally, this is a realistic natural design – a butterfly, a frog or a crocodile floating on a large silver-toned leaf. Also, the jeweler and silversmith Dahl usually used silver and copper to create her costume decorations. Thus, it is impossible to talk about the diversity of the plot and the materials used to create these vintage jewelry. However, products marked Silvia Dahl are vintage and have a certain collection value. Unfortunately, there is no detailed information about the designer of these jewelry on the Internet. Perhaps the full name of the designer is Laila Sylvia Dahl (November 7, 1940 – September 2, 2012), born in Brooklyn. After graduating from Brooklyn College, where she studied costume design, she worked as a designer for off-Broadway productions. A gifted artist and designer, she had exceptional talent in various artistic fields, including drawing, painting, quilt, sewing and knitting. According to the memoirs of people who knew her, she had a unique ability to capture ordinary moments and turn them into beautiful works of art.
Nevertheless, I would like to have more accurate information about a talented jeweler. Noteworthy, these naturalistic dress clips or brooches were sold in the 1980s in the jewelry departments of Neiman Marcus department stores.
Read more »

Patriotic American flag bow brooch. Enamel, rhinestones. 1940s collectible vintage pin. Louis Stern vintage costume jewelry

Louis Stern vintage costume jewelry

The history of the company began in 1867 when three sons of German Jewish immigrants – Isaac, Louis and Benjamin Stern founded корпорацию Stern’s, or Stern Brothers. Initially, they sold dry goods in Buffalo, New York, gradually becoming an important merchandising family in New York City. In 1868 they moved to New York and opened a store on Sixth Avenue, 367. The whole family worked in this elegant shop, known for its fashionable goods. Ladies from all over New York came here in search of clothes and accessories of Parisian fashions brought by brothers from Europe. This company was distinguished from the others by its elegant gatekeepers in top hats and the generous and friendly service by the owners personally. Later, their business developed until the 60s of the last century.
Meanwhile, Louis Stern, one of the Stern’s brands, began operations in 1871. The company produced silver and bijouterie jewelry until the 1950s. Focusing on elegance and quality, particular attention was paid to the quality of the gold plating of jewelry. The jewelry marking included the symbol L-S Co, 1/20 10 K GF (gold filled). Undoubtedly, all Stern jewelry is a rare vintage of collectible value. Although Louis Stern himself, the founder of the jewelry company, died in 1922 (in Paris, while visiting his daughter), the latest jewelry marked with drugs date back to the 1950s.
Read more »

Basket of flowers gold filled rhinestones brooch. Harry Iskin vintage costume jewelry

Harry Iskin vintage costume jewelry
American designer Harry Iskin is considered an undeservedly forgotten jeweler. However, products marked “HI” are highly collectible. The history of the brand begins in 1930, when Harry Iskin founded the jewelry brand of the same name in the United States.
His parents, emigrants from Russia moved to the UK, and Harry was born there on September 30, 1886. At the age of 22, he moved to the United States, and in 1908 received American citizenship.
Iskin began working as an engraver in a jewelry workshop. In addition, he began to make his jewelry decorations – and their sales were very successful. As a result, in the early 1930s he opened his own atelier, and in 1936 moved to a more spacious building in Philadelphia. His jewelry became so popular that in 1938 he opened a second salon-workshop in Manhattan.
Iskin became famous for the release of high-quality jewelry, as well as silver jewelry, often gold filled. The peak of the popularity of Iskin brooches and bracelets falls on the period of the Second World War, when jewelry from Europe was practically not brought.
Read more »

Greyhound dog with a red rose pin pendant from the series ‘Dog jewelry’. Fine satin finish, hand brushed lacquer coating. Nature inspired Mark Shields jewelry

Nature inspired Mark Shields jewelry
Born in Virginia, Mark Shields grew up surrounded by beautiful nature, animals and birds. The boy showed his talent in drawing in early childhood. According to the jeweler, his father taught him respect for the craft, and his mother – a deep understanding of beauty. Once, at the age of 20, he was lucky to become a student of one of the leading silver craftsmen of the 20th century, William de Matteo.
After completing his studies, Shields founded his own studio in 1980 and began to create jewelry from silver and pewter. Traditionally, jewelry designs included realistic images of animals and birds – dogs, cats, seals, birds, and wild animals. In 1989, he began to create a collection of pins made of tin and bronze, treated with oxides, electroplated and special brush techniques.
In 2015, his talented student Jennifer joined Mark Shields. Fortunately, she pays as much attention to detail as Mark Shields and shares the same love for animals.
Read more »

Inspirational brooch religious theme, enamel, porcelain. Lenox vintage porcelain jewelry

Lenox vintage porcelain jewelry
The American company Lenox has a long and glorious history spanning over 130 years. It all started in 1889, when Walter Scott Lenox opened a small art studio setting high standards of quality, beauty and artistry. Guided by these ideals, several generations of craftsmen create cutlery, gifts and decorative items for a high-quality home. Noteworthy, a company became the first to start producing porcelain in the USA in the 19th century and, to date, remains the most famous and respected in the industry.
Interestingly, in 1918 Lenox became a supplier of dishes for the White House and still continues the tradition. The first “state” service masters created during the reign of Thomas Wilson, 28 US President. Since then, for each president, a new decor has been created. The company’s products participate in many international exhibitions and received many prestigious awards. The main focus of Lenox is wedding dishes and gifts. A variety of collections and decors, successful cooperation with eminent designers (Donna Karan, Marchesa, etc.) brought the brand to a leading position in the US market.
Read more »

Cats Vintage Brooch. Polymer resin, sculpted and hand-painted, marked on the back side. 5.5 cm. 1990s. Harmony kingdom vintage sculpted jewelry

Harmony kingdom vintage sculpted jewelry
Currently a family business of Peter and Andrea, Harmony kingdom began operations in 1992 in Worcestershire, England. A professionally trained ceramic artist, Peter Calvesbert began by creating a limited edition of Treasure Jest sculptures. Traditionally, Master Carver uses polymer resin and paints it by hand. His unusual and unique works combine attention to detail, intricate and satirical approach and artistic talent. As a result, his hand-crafted figurines, miniature sculptures and pendants have become extremely popular with collectors in the UK and around the world.
Noteworthy, the author of some designs is a talented artist David Lawrence, who created three-dimensional series of mini sculpture for Harmony Kingdom. He joined the company in 1995, and his works are very popular with collectors.
Read more »

Mask earrings. 925 silver, diamonds, enamel. 1990s. 4 cm. Sonia B design vintage jewelry

Sonia B design vintage jewelry
Famous American designer Sonia Bitton has been creating unique, fashion-forward fine jewelry for several decades. According to the designer, in addition to her travels around the world, these are women who prefer her elegant creations inspire her most of all. New York based designer, Sonia is the creator of popular with customers Galarie De Bijoux – an exclusive collection of fine jewelry. Noteworthy, Sonia has worked with such famous jewelry houses as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bailey, Banks and Biddle, and others.
Traditionally, creating her decorations the designer uses precious metals, diamonds and rare gemstones.
This post features vintage decorations created by Sonia B design in 1980-1990s.
Read more »