Ancient gold butterfly brooch. Jewelry alloy, glass. 1950s. 4 cm. Signed West Germany vintage costume jewelry
West Germany vintage costume jewelry
Made in the 1930s-60s, West German jewelry – exquisite works of art, created in the Victorian era stye. Traditionally, German jewelers used a variety of materials. In particular, silver and gold tone metal, rhodium, brass, chrome, multicolor rhinestones, and enamel of various colors. Also, art glass imitating turquoise, amethyst, opal, emerald, ruby, topaz, and pearls.
To date, the name of the designers and exact location of the manufacturers remains a mystery, while these pieces are becoming more difficult to find.
Initially, for all jewelry made in Germany before 1949, makers simply used “Germany” label. As we know, in 1949, Germany was divided into two parts, West and East Germany. Successful in the jewelry art, West German masters began marking their products “Western Germany” or “West Germany”, and sometimes “W. Germany”, or “Made in West Germany”.
Traditionally, European jewelry makers signed their decorations with the name of the country. Therefore, we can determine jewelry from Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, etc. Unlike American colleagues, European jewelers preferred not to advertise their products in fashion magazines. So, you will not see W.Germany jewelry advertising posters. Noteworthy, in 1990, after the reunification of East and West Germany, W.Germany jewelry ceased to appear on sale. Accordingly, it is instantly becoming a collectible rarity.
Gorgeous gold tone filigree portrait brooch. 5 cm
Traditionally, the design included the theme of cameos, so popular for many centuries. Cameo brooches, pendants, necklaces and clips – beautifully framed in delicate golden laces.
Maker’s mark
West Germany vintage costume jewelry
Violet flower brooch. Gold tone, enamel, resin, crystals. 5.5 cm
1940s brooch. Faux pearls, porcelain insert, floral motif. 5×4 cm
1950s brooch made of brass, gold plated, Swarovski crystals, enamel. 4.6 cm
Aurora borealis crystal and mother of pearl flower brooch. 1950s
Cameo brooch. 1950s. Hematite, filigree, faux pearls, Austrian crystals. 4.5 cm
Bird brooch, gold tone metal, black plastic
Blackamoor lady brooch. 1960s. Gold finish, black enamel. 5 cm
Clear lucite star flower brooch
White flowers brooch. Lucite, gold tone, rhinestones
Scotty dog brooch of gold tone, black plastic
Edelweiss brooch, 1930-40s, 4 cm
Faux pearl lapis glass cabochon dangle brooch pendant
Filigree gold tone swirl brooch
Fish brooch. Marcasite gold tone jewelry alloy
Five petal hand-painted floral pattern flower pin
Fly pin of gold tone, black plastic
Folk motif floral pattern handpainted enameled flower pin
Geometric bow gold tone brooch
Gold tone flower brooch. 6.5 cm
Green and yellow butterfly handpainted enameled brooch
Green accent brooch. Glass cabochons, crystals, gold tone. 6 cm
‘Jane’ portrait oval brooch. Gold tone, faux pearls. 5 cm
Kitten gold tone black plastic pin
Lapis lazuli brooch. Gold tone, blue oval cabochons, turquoise beads. 1960s. 5 cm
Crystal brooch. 1950s. 6 cm
Orange flower brooch. Gold tone, enamel
Pink violet flower brooch. 5 cm. Gold tone, resin, enamel
Rose brooch and clips. 1950s. Gold tone, filigree, handpainted. 5 cm
Silver tone metal faux pearl swirl brooch. 5 cm
Snail gold tone black plastic pin
Fuchsia clips. Bronze tone, pink crystals, rhinestones. 2.3 cm
Sprig-Aqua brooch. Bronze tone, blue glass crystals. 6.5 cm. 1930s
Turtle gold tone, black plastic pin
Maker’s mark