Vintage and Antique Brooches, Fine Art and Design at Showplace

In Auctions at Showplace’s October 22, 2023 sale, a strong selection of fine art, design, jewelry, and more will come to the market. Several vintage and antique brooches, as well as other fine jewelry, lead the catalog. Here are a few notable lots to watch.

Antique Vermeil Silver, Diamond, and Enamel Brooch 

One notable antique brooch available in the upcoming Showplace sale is crafted of vermeil silver (lot #88). A total of 21 rose-cut diamonds that together weigh approximately 3.50 carats are featured in the brooch. With delicately-wrought details, the brooch was designed to resemble a bouquet of flowers. It comes to auction with an estimate of USD 2,000 to $4,000. 

A rose-cut diamond is easily identifiable by its flat bottom. Rose-cut diamonds also feature fewer cuts than other styles, which prioritize sparkle and depth. Rose-cut diamonds have been around for centuries, though their popularity dipped in the 20th century as cutting techniques grew more sophisticated. Rose-cut diamonds appear most often in antique jewelry, such as in the available vermeil silver, diamond, and enamel brooch, thus offering a window into the past.

Floral 18-Karat Yellow Gold Brooch 

Also available from Auctions at Showplace this October is a floral 18-karat yellow gold brooch (lot #116). This dainty pin is polished and textured; it features a daisy and tulip motif, with long leaves surrounding the blooms. Although brooches have long existed as functional and mourning items, decorative metal brooches such as this example are a relatively recent development. Designers in the 19th century began embracing brooches as both fashion statements and symbols of high elegance. Flowers and vines were common themes throughout this period. The offered floral 18-karat yellow gold brooch comes to auction with an estimate of $2,000 to $4,000.

Pierrot Lunaire Enamel Diamond Brooch

Many antique brooches not only served as elements of beauty– they also engaged with whimsy and culture. This auction catalog includes one such Pierrot Lunaire enamel, diamond, and 18-karat gold brooch that depicts the famous commedia dell’arte character perching on a crescent moon (lot #115). Pierrot is a stock character often portrayed with a whitened face, a loose white shirt, and dramatic expressions. He grew to be associated with the moon during the 19th century. This connection was reinforced when Austrian-American composer Arnold Schoenberg placed the character in his famous melodrama of 1912, Pierrot Lunaire. 

The offered Pierrot Lunaire enamel and diamond brooch dresses the character in a flowy white outfit and gold ruffle. A total of 33 single-cut diamonds encrust Pierrot’s moon. This antique brooch is available with an estimate of $1,500 to $2,500. 

18-Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Mythical Lion Pin 

Another notable antique brooch in the upcoming Showplace auction is an 18-karat yellow gold example featuring a winged lion standing on a pedestal (lot #83). A pendant heart with round brilliant-cut diamonds appears below. This brooch evokes the mythological griffin, which traditionally has the body of a lion with the head and wings of an eagle. Here, the beast is rendered in exquisite detail, with extra attention given to its facial features, feathered wings, and flowing mane. This antique brooch has a presale estimate of $1,500 to $2,500. 

Auctions at Showplace’s Important Fine Art & Design Auction will begin at 12:00 PM EDT on October 22, 2023. To view the complete catalog and register to bid, visit Bidsquare.

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