Featured 14K brooch with pearls. Age?

Crazy find, I didn't even realize what I had until I got home and saw the 14K.

Possible something is missing here, there is a loop for a dangle and no dangle!

What era do you think this is from?

 

I can't quite see the hinge. I'm inclined to 30s or 40s with that clasp. Nice find.

 

Thanks, Bear. Not the greatest shot of the hinge, but one photo I had handy.


The pearls appear to be chopped in half. Would they do that with real pearls possibly?

 

It was a ridiculously lucky find. A fundraiser event that wasn't even supposed to have any jewelry. Opened at 9, I got this at 12:30. I just thought it had a good look, honestly didn't think it was 14K, my progressive glasses need replacing but could see enough it was kind of pretty, so got it. Sold as costume. I plan to make a donation to the charity. Splitting the profits at the very least. I got other stuff too, those Italian 18K gold earrings for scrap that I only noticed the mark when I got home with a loupe. And more. Bumped into this event after after a really difficult two weeks, so was just what the doctor ordered!

 

Yes, & then they're called half pearls.* Quite common. I don't think this cheapens the piece.

Certainly in an older style, but the clasp, which I think would still be in use today, & the way the '14K' is so prominent make me think it is newer in a retro style. I too would like to see the hinge (better) & the pin stem when it's closed. Clasps are not infrequently replaced when a good piece has only a simple C catch. Hinge may tell a different story. The loop at the bottom looks to me like it could be an addition.

Very nice. Definitely a high quality piece. And very lucky you. Or, not just luck, also having an educated eye.

* Or split pearls.

 

Perhaps a ladies watch holder brooch... that loop on the bottom looks like a watch could be dangled from it.

Sweet!

 

I had that thought too, but it looks like a closed loop rather than a hook. @Lucille.b Can you clarify?

 

Many pearls grow that way naturally or are grown that way, much like blister pearls.
I think it is 1940s, Retro style.

 

Sort of half and half. It is not a totally closed loop. It's open at the top but only barely open. The mystery continues. I wondered about it being for a nurse's watch but it seems almost too fancy looking compared to others I've seen.

Will try to post more photos later.

Thanks for the eyes on this.

 

I'm pretty comfortable thinking this could be 1940s, but here are more photos of the clasp, and hook. The clasp has one of the stopper things which seems like it might be 1940s or later, right? The hook or loop is still a mystery. It is technically open, but only open enough to fit a thin piece of paper through.

I don't need to totally nail this down, just curious!

 

Thanks for the additional photos & info. I'm on board with the assessment of age.

Not all watch pins were meant for/used by nurses. A lady could have a watch worn on a long chain that she kept safely pinned out of the way (and on display) except for the times she wanted to consult it. There is always the possibility that someone who did not want to use the hook for anything squeezed it nearly shut to minimize snagging on things.

It's a beautiful, solidly made piece.

 

There was also a fashion for decorative cocktail watch brooches, too.

 

Missed that one. For that matter, missed cocktail parties & cocktail dresses too.

 

I have worn cocktail dresses, but not to cocktail parties, missed out on those too.

 

I would so like to wear a little black dress, and a little black hat with a little black veil, just once in my life.

 

I have worn all three, but not at the same time.
The little black hat with a little black veil was for a modelling gig, way back when. I posted a photo of me wearing it some time ago, when there was a question about a short veil.

 

In this thread:

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/what-happened-to-her-face.84026/#post-9748605

 

I remember when you posted the photo of you, beautiful.

 

You hot number you!!!!!!!!