Kaleidoscope effect

Jewellery kaleidoscope

Smithsonian Institution vintage costume jewelry

Spread the love
Smithsonian Institution vintage costume jewelry

Red Cardinal bird on a pine branch vintage brooch, created according to the works of art from the museum collections. Gold tone, gilding, enamel, rhinestones. 6 cm. Smithsonian Institution vintage costume jewelry

Smithsonian Institution vintage costume jewelry
The history of Smithsonian jewelry, inspired by museum collection pieces began in the late 1960s. The costume jewelry marked SI, which appeared before the 1970s, boasts a wide variety of stylistic solutions inspired by priceless exhibits. Noteworthy, each piece is made by hand by skillful craftsmen with the use of gold and silver tone alloys, rhinestones and art glass imitating natural stones. Also, the makers provided a short story or information about the original item which served served as the prototype.
SI marked handcrafted decorations are highly collectible.

Mary Todd bracelet. Jewelry alloy, crystals, enamel

Mary Todd bracelet. Inspired by the invaluable treasure of the Smithsonian Institute – an exquisite bracelet watch owned by Mary Ann Todd Lincoln – the wife of the 16th US President Abraham Lincoln. Metal alloy, crystals, enamel

Toy horse gold tone vintage brooch. 4 cm

Toy horse gold tone vintage brooch based on the 1962 Christmas stamps. 4 cm. 1996. Marked Smithsonian AVON

Signature

Maker’s mark

Cat brooch. Gold tone metal alloy, faux pearl. 4.5 cm. 1980s. Inspired by the 'Kittens' series from mid-19th century color lithography at the National Museum of American History. Marked SI

Cat brooch. Gold tone, faux pearl. 4.5 cm. 1980s. Inspired by the ‘Kittens’ series from mid-19th century color lithography at the National Museum of American History. Marked SI

Green ribbon and buckle vintage brooch. Gold tone metal alloy, enamel, crystals, glass. 4.5 cm. 1990s

Green ribbon and buckle brooch. Gold tone, enamel, crystals, glass. 4.5 cm. 1990s

US flag. Gold tone jewelry alloy, enamel

US flag brooch. Gold tone, white, blue, red enamel

Swallow vintage brooch. Silver tone jewelry alloy, rhinestones

Swallow vintage brooch. Silver tone, rhinestones

Steam train brooch. 1996. Gold tone jewelry alloy, enamel, rhinestones

Steam train brooch. 1996. Gold tone, enamel, rhinestones

Angel Christmas brooch. Gold tone jewelry alloy, enamel

Angel Christmas brooch. Gold tone, enamel

Three birds on a branch vintage brooch. Jewelry alloy, enamel. 7 cm

Three birds on a branch vintage brooch. Metal alloy, enamel. 7 cm

Victorian hearts brooch. Gold tone jewelry alloy, glass, crystals. 4.5 cm

Victorian hearts brooch. Gold tone, glass, crystals. 4.5 cm

Signature

Maker’s mark