Brooches
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A French Art Deco Brooch By Chaumet
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A Fine Art Deco Diamond And Sapphire Bar Brooch
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A Regency Diamond Maltese Cross Pendant/brooch
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An Important Yellow Sapphire And Diamond Cluster Brooch/ring
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A Late Victorian Ruby And Diamond Butterfly Brooch
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A Pair Of Art Deco Tutti-frutti Clips By Reymond Yard
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A Late Victorian Gem-set Butterfly Brooch
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A Victorian Diamond And Green-paste Brooch
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A Large Pave Diamond Set Heart Brooch Pendant
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An Edwardian Diamond Openwork Brooch/pendant
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An Important Art Deco diamond bow brooch
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A Belle Epoque Diamond-set Dragonfly Brooch
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A Victorian Diamond Flower Demi-parure
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A Late Victorian Burmese Ruby And Diamond Butterfly Brooch
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The Gigantas Pendant
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A Victorian Diamond, Emerald And Pearl Caduceus Brooch
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An Early Victorian Diamond Spray Brooch
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A Victorian Natural Pearl Ruby And Diamond Bug Brooch
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A Victorian Sapphire And Diamond Bee Brooch
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A Russian Sapphire And Diamond Horse-shoe Brooch
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A Victorian Diamond-set Feather Aigrette/brooch
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An impressive Victorian diamond-set frog
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An Art Nouveau Grasshopper Brooch
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A Late 19th Century French Mandolin Brooch
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A horse brooch by Ilgiz F
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A dragonfly and hyacinth brooch by Ilgiz F
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A red poppies brooch by Ilgiz F
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A Georgian Diamond Set Jasmine Flower Brooch
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An Art Deco Emerald And Diamond Bow Brooch
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An Important Charles Duron Renaissance Revival Brooch
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A Victorian Pearl And Diamond Double Heart Brooch
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A French Art Deco Diamond Set Brooch By Lambert Frères
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A Single Diamond-set Bar Brooch
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An Antique Russian Gold And Emerald Butterfly Brooch
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An Antique Russian Emerald And Diamond Dragonfly Brooch
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A Late Victorian Natural Pearl And Diamond Brooch/pendant
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An Early Victorian Jasmine Petal Diamond Brooch
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A Victorian Diamond Set Heart Pendant/brooch
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A Victorian Ruby, Diamond And Pearl Heart Brooch
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A Magnificent Art-deco Ruby And Diamond Double-clip Brooch
Brooches are ornamental clasps with an attached pin for affixing to a garment, as a fastener or decorative piece. Brooches originally evolved from the fibula; a pin used to keep garments closed in ancient times. Brooches come in many sizes and shapes and have appeared throughout history. In the Medieval period, brooches were made from different types of metals and worn by men and women. In the 1500s, expanding global trade routes brought prosperity and new discoveries to Europe and Great Britain. Specifically, trade routes opened for diamonds and gemstones as well as precious metals such as gold. Throughout the early modern period (1500-1800), demand for jewellery grew and styles and tastes changed rapidly. Many styles from this period have been lost to time as pieces were melted down and turned into new styles. In 1912, the Cheapside Hoard was discovered in London: a collection of Elizabethan and Stuart jewellery that had been buried below London for over 300 years. This collection of jewellery and objects, now in the Museum of London, had many examples of brooches set with different gemstones from amethysts and rubies to diamonds and emeralds.
In the Georgian era (1710-1830), the ornate and regal brooches of earlier periods gave way to more delicate and romantic pieces. Towards the end of the Georgian period, there was a revival in the styles of Ancient Greece: this was called Neoclassicism. During the Victorian era, brooches surged in popularity. Queen Victoria was given a magnificent sapphire and diamond brooch by Prince Albert, which she wore on her wedding day. Victorian brooches came in a variety of styles, from cameos to floral designs. The trend for brooches continued into the early 20th-century, with Art Nouveau, Edwardian, and Art Deco brooch styles all flourishing as adornments. Today, Queen Elizabeth II takes every opportunity she can to wear her collection of magnificent brooches. The brooches in the Royal Collection are worn by many members of the Royal Family, and each brooch has a specific sentimental meaning or history behind it.
Bentley & Skinner are delighted to have an extensive and important collection of brooches, ranging from the 18th century to the present. Brooches have traditionally allowed the craftsmen of the past to utilize many intricate techniques, and many of our brooches are true works of art. We are pleased to stock brooches in a variety of styles and from a variety of time periods, including Georgian, Victorian, Renaissance Revival, and Art Deco.