Lineal Paris Snowflake Pin/Brooch
Jewelry - Brooch/Pin · Lineal Paris. A mid-20th-century French manufacturer known for high-quality costume jewelry and modernist accessories, often utilizing silver plating or low-grade silver.
Pattern: Snowflake under arc; likely a seasonal floral or winter-themed collection; production status discontinued.
Type
Jewelry - Brooch/Pin
Maker
Lineal Paris. A mid-20th-century French manufacturer known for high-quality costume jewelry and modernist accessories, often utilizing silver plating or low-grade silver.
Material
Likely Silver Plate over base metal or 800-835 Silver. The uneven tarnish and surface oxidation suggest a base metal component or a lower-grade European silver alloy commonly used in mid-century French boutique jewelry.
Dimensions
Estimated 3.5cm x 3.0cm; approximately 8-12 grams. Sized as a standard lapel or scarf pin.
Description
An elegant example of mid-century Parisian accessory design, this pin features a balanced snowflake motif suspended beneath a curved architectural arc. The pierce-work provides a light, airy feel, while the 'Lineal Paris' stamp connects it to the vibrant post-war fashion scene of the French capital.
Key Features
Stylized 'Lineal Paris' maker's mark; six-pointed geometric snowflake; arched header; mixed-media potential for missing stones.
Material & Composition
Likely Silver Plate over base metal or 800-835 Silver. The uneven tarnish and surface oxidation suggest a base metal component or a lower-grade European silver alloy commonly used in mid-century French boutique jewelry.
Finish & Decoration
Polished and pierced openwork. Features a geometric, stylized snowflake motif beneath a semi-circular arc. Surface shows oxidation/tarnish in recessed areas, highlighting the openwork design.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'Lineal PARIS' in a stylized lowercase sans-serif font. No visible fineness marks (like the Minerva head or 925), which often indicates silver-plated fashion jewelry or pieces intended for export/boutique sale rather than fine jewelry guilds.
Construction Details
Die-struck and pierced. The main body is machine-stamped with secondary soldering for the pin mechanism. The catch is a C-clasp with a simple tension-fit pin stem.
Functional Features
Functional safety pin-style fastener with a spiral coil hinge and a simple catch. The pierced holes in the arc may have originally held small rhinestones (one yellowish stone appears visible in the center).
Handle & Grip Details
N/A; jewelry item. The pin stem is made of a harder metal alloy for durability.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial craftsmanship; clean die-lines but evidence of machine-manufacturing. The soldering of the pin back is sturdy but purely functional and unrefined.
Authentication Indicators
The maker's mark matches known Lineal Paris font styles; construction is consistent with 20th-century French mass-produced silver/silver-plate jewelry. Lack of hallmarks suggests it is not sterling silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Paris, France. Manufactured in a industrial boutique setting specializing in accessory production for the ready-to-wear market.
Era & Period
Modernist/Mid-Century (circa 1950-1970). The typography of the 'Lineal' mark and the geometric simplification of the snowflake are typical of Parisian fashion jewelry from this era.
Age Estimate
Circa 1960. Dating based on the branding font and the specific 'C-clasp' mechanism commonly used in European costume pins of that decade.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the democratization of luxury in post-war Paris, where stylish, branded jewelry became accessible to a wider audience outside of the haute joaillerie houses of Place Vendôme.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant surface oxidation and tarnish; several empty settings suggest missing pastes or rhinestones; the pin stem shows some bending and age-related wear to the finish.
Value Estimate
$25.00 - $60.00 USD. Value is driven by the 'Paris' branding and collectible vintage appeal rather than precious metal weight.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Use a silver polishing cloth gently to avoid removing the plating if it is not solid silver. Do not submerge in chemical dips due to the potential for sensitive adhesive on remaining stones.
Similar Pieces
Vintage pins by Trifari or Monet frequently used similar snowflake motifs, but French pieces like this often have more distinct, angular pierce-work compared to American counterparts.
Interesting Facts
Lineal Paris was a common brand found in French department stores like Galeries Lafayette during the 1960s, offering chic designs for the emerging middle class.