BROOCHES

Origin
Brooch

also known as fibula in ancient times is a decorative jewellery item designed to be attached to the garments. Over the years brooches have become decorative rather than practical and are extremely popular collectible items.

 The

brooch is an ornamental clasp used by Romans,Greeks,German peoples and also by Celts and migratory tribes in Europe from the early Bronze age.

Braganza brooch,Hellenistic art, 250-200BC,British Muesuem

History
Bronze

age fibulae

This simple design,with a unilateral spring looks remarkably like a mordern safety pin.These are known as violin bow fibula.

 Iron

age fibulae

The rounded bow fibula underwent several variations and were usually highly decorated with incised or moulded geometric designs.
Silver Dacian fibulae 1st centuryBC Museum of Transylyvania Cluj,Romania

 Roman

era fibulae The 1st century AD

Bows were cast in more complex forms, hinges appeared alongside bilateral springs and a wide variety of plate designs were introduced.

Romano British fibulae 1st century AD

The most distinctive British fibula design was the Dolphin. Dolphin fibulae have a smooth arched bow that tapers from the head to end in a long point. The long bilateral spring is covered. From the top the Dolphin fibula looks like a T .

The 1st century AD saw several other bow variations. The Wolf or Wolfs Head fibula has a flat, ribbon-like bow that widens into a square section at the head.

The 1st century AD saw the widespread use of plate fibulae. Plate fibulae consist of a flat plate. Since there is little space between the fibula body and the pin (there is no arch to the body), plate fibulae could not be used to fasten much material and were therefore mainly decorative.

There were other bow fibula variations of the 2nd, and 3rd centuries AD. The Divided Bow type has an arched bow and a long foot. The arch was made up of two, or even three, separate, but parallel, arches. These arches are either wide and flat or narrow and tall.

 Medieval

brooch

The ring, or annular, fibula or brooch is extremely hard to date as the design for utilitarian pieces was almost unchanged from the 2nd to the 14th centuries AD. If there is decoration, this is likely to indicate whether a given ring fibula is Roman-era fibula or a medieval brooch.

 One

of the richest and most varied periods for the artistic expression in brooches occurred from the 1940s to 1960s. The Retro period of the 1940s ushered in new looks and undulating forms inspired by nature.

 The

1950 ushered in a new dynamic optimism and styles that were much lighter. and other precious stones were combined to introdce new and vibrant colour contrast. forms and paisley motifs also became very famous.

Sapphires,rubies,emeralds,pearls

Abstact

Nina Bridal Treasure Vintage inspired floral brooch

Bottega Veneta blackened oxidized silver-eye brooch


characters

Some brooches inspired from cartoons with bright and vibrant colours.

Brands and Icons

Brooches

are most often wore as royalty and many companies are involved in the trade and manufacture of this embellishment. of the names of the companies are Marcopolo,Finesse,Rawat Handicrafts,Essem Global,Natural fauna,etc.

Some

The famous brands in the making of the brooches is DolceAndGabbana , Cartier , Tiffany&Co. , Harry Winston , Breguet , Chanel , Asprey.

Cartier

Martin Katz

Tiffany & Co.

Harry Winston

Chanel

Cartier

This brooch is ideal for a Halloween costume party. It has gold,silver,copper and brass tones with crystal and coin embellishments and black resin beads and costs $375.

 Many

celebrities wear brooches as an accessory to their evening gowns and casual outfits.Some of them are Sharon Stone, Paris Hilton,Michelle Obama and Lady Diana.

Bibliography
www.timothytew.com/brooches March

http://www.millionlooks.com/accessories/brooch-a

20th, 2010 in Clothing and Fashion