Art Deco Era Die-Struck Sterling Silver Circle Brooch
Jewelry (Brooch/Pin) · Likely a North American mass-market manufacturer (e.g., Robbins Co. or Coro) given the construction style and widespread Art Deco floral-geometric designs of the period.
Pattern: Generic Art Deco Geometric-Floral Pattern; typical of 1920s-30s costume and bridge jewelry.
Type
Jewelry (Brooch/Pin)
Maker
Likely a North American mass-market manufacturer (e.g., Robbins Co. or Coro) given the construction style and widespread Art Deco floral-geometric designs of the period.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity) with a base metal (likely steel or brass) pin stem and hinge assembly.
Dimensions
Approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter; estimated weight 3-5 grams. Small 'petite' size typical for lapel pins.
Description
This Art Deco sterling silver circle brooch exemplifies the transition from floral Victorian styles to the rigid geometry of the 1920s. Featuring a delicate openwork design with star-like floral motifs and rectangular bridge spacers, it offers a light, airy aesthetic. The heavy oxidation provides a dark patina that highlights the recessed details of the die-striking process.
Key Features
Characteristic Art Deco geometry; circular 'eternity' form; pierced openwork; die-struck manufacturing; typical 'bridge' jewelry classification.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity) with a base metal (likely steel or brass) pin stem and hinge assembly.
Finish & Decoration
Oxidized/tarnished surface with die-struck openwork (piercing) featuring stylized floral and geometric motifs. Includes a millgrain-style border on the interior and exterior circumferences.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No visible hallmarks are clear in the provided image; typically found on the reverse rim or the pin stem. Expected marks would be 'STERLING' or '925'.
Construction Details
Die-struck from a thin silver sheet; features a soldered hinge and a simple 'C' clasp or safety catch mechanism. The pin stem appears to be an industrial replacement or standard reinforced metal.
Functional Features
Traditional horizontal pin hinge and safety catch mechanism. The openwork design allows the garment color to show through the jewelry.
Handle & Grip Details
Simple metal pin stem with a mechanical rollover safety clasp; the clasp appears to be a later 20th-century style or a standard period safety catch.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-aided die-striking with hand-soldered findings. High volume commercial quality with good symmetry but standard industrial finishing.
Authentication Indicators
Wear patterns consistent with a mid-20th-century piece; construction remains characteristic of die-struck production. Solder joins at the hinge are appropriate for the period.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States or England; mass-manufactured during the early 20th-century boom of accessible silver jewelry.
Era & Period
Art Deco (1920-1940); indicated by the symmetrical geometric openwork and stylized floral elements.
Age Estimate
Circa 1925-1935 based on the geometric piercing and the style of the rollover clasp.
Cultural Significance
Reflects the Art Deco movement's effort to combine industrial manufacturing techniques with elegant, symmetrical artistic design.
Condition Notes
Good overall condition with heavy tarnish/sulfide deposits. The pin stem shows surface corrosion. No missing metal or visible cracks in the delicate openwork.
Value Estimate
$25.00 - $55.00 USD; value is primarily in the design and historical era rather than silver weight.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft horsehair brush and warm soapy water to remove surface grit. Use a silver polishing cloth on the high points to create contrast with the oxidized recesses. Avoid chemical dips which will strip the desirable antique patina.
Similar Pieces
Marquisette circle pins (which feature set stones) or Victorian openwork brooches (which are typically hand-engraved rather than die-struck).
Interesting Facts
Circle brooches were often called 'eternity' pins and became exceptionally popular in the late 1920s as accessible luxury items during the burgeoning middle class's interest in jewelry.