2023-02-01
A particular type of ornament is the brooch. Initially purely utilitarian, it was already known in the Bronze Age to fasten clothes. Over time, brooches became more and more ornate - they were made from precious materials and took on fanciful shapes. The 15th century brought new embellishments to this fine accessory - they began to set polished diamonds and sapphires in brooches. Throughout the centuries, brooches were not only an elegant trinket but also a sign of social status, as the richly decorated 19th century brooches testify. Celebrities such as Queen Victoria and Coco Chanel can be mentioned among the proponents of the brooch.
What is a brooch?
A brooch is an artistic ornament with a clasp fixed at its lower end. The clasp is often in the form of a safety pin. Brooches come in a variety of shapes and are made of precious metals, also decorated with precious stones. A new form of brooch became popular in Victorian times – brooches began to be made with mobile elements that could be removed or added, depending on preference. Brooches began to be made then from cheaper materials, which were therefore more accessible and could reach a wider audience.
In the 19th century, brooches decorated with cameos were also in demand. They were mainly worn by ladies who fastened their jabots or gowns high up their necks. If the cameo was not particularly distinctive in colour, it was typically worn as mourning jewellery.
Strass' brooches
Art Nouveau brooches are particularly noteworthy - they were characterized by extremely rich forms and various references to the natural world. The Art Nouveau period was not only a time of lush, floral ornaments but also a time when cheaper wares became even more common. Thanks to the French jeweller Georges Frederic Strass, who began to produce objects with artificial stones – he incorporated artificial stones imitating sapphires, diamonds or rubies into his brooches.
Today, brooches are worn mainly by women. They are customarily pinned into scarves and attached to elegant dresses, jackets, or shirts.
