The Brooch: The History of Brooches
Ever since the earliest civilizations began walking this earth, fashion accessories had already existed. Of course they may have been very weird and unheard of but fact is that people were already using them. Probably one of the earlier types of fashion accessory though is the brooch.
Back when man only used to wear big pieces of cloth to cover their body, brooches were the accessory of choice when it came to fastening the two ends together. It is said that the earliest kind of brooch was probably the thorn. As simple as it may seem, it did its job and because of how it was used, can also be considered the first brooch ever.
Over time, the appearance of brooch evolved and was slowly refined by craftsmen. The next advancement in this accessory, after the thorns, was the safety pin mechanism. There was the ornament which was attached to the cloth by a pin and a spring made everything work smoothly.
The next huge step on design came during the time of the Byzantines. They had a passion for color and this was carried over to their designs. For the first time, brooches came in bright colors with intricate designs. Soon after, it became a hot item during trades and was sought after by many.
Years later, the brooch saw even more improvements as its size grew which meant there was more surface area for designers to work with. Very intricate designs were finally possible and artists and craftsmen used it to the fullest extent. For some people, symbols, family crests and other meaningful patterns were made into brooches which also boosted its reputation amongst the people and most especially the elite.
Small words, quips and mottos were at times engraved on to the face of the piece. Because of this new improvement, people started personalizing their accessories which gave people even more incentive to own such accessory.
In between the tenth and fifteenth century, crystals and gem stones were finally encrusted on to brooches to contrast the design from the heavy and dark looks of the metal bases. Not only it became an accessory to be worn but because of this change in color and appearance, it also became a decorative piece for others.
Eventually, there were pieces produced that were completely bejeweled and this was in stark contrast of the dark, shabby looking pieces that were produced in the earlier times. After this marked improvement, brooch became extremely popular for the next couple of centuries.
Shortly after the fifteenth century, craftsmen and designers soon started using more precious and higher quality metals in their production. The likes of gold and silver were used as the foundation of the piece which gave it a classier and elegant look. Along with this sudden increase in quality, brooch also soon came to be known as an accessory that showed stature and success especially when it was made out of valuable metals.
The last and most recent step in the evolution of this accessory was the use of precious stones in its design. Back in the day, stones were already used but no where near the value of diamonds and sapphires. Eventually though, designers began using them and further lifted its status as an accessory for the higher classes and the more privileged people.
Nowadays, these are a lot less used compared to its earlier years although its stature has not diminished. It can still bring a lot of class and elegance to an outfit if it is designed properly and used fashionably. Regardless of its apparent decline in popularity over recent years, brooches still have its place in being an influential accessory over the earlier civilization up to the modern era of man.
About the Author
With the expansion of means and the creation of a market for low-cost jewelry, the crystal brooches become a popular type of personal decoration. Women like to wear pearl brooches in pairs to fasten their dresses, and a single shawl pin was most likely used to hold their clothes together.
How to Make a Brooch (Breast-Pin)
|
|
White dove with olive branch in its mouth, rare. N/R $2.99 |
|
|
LOT OF 5 VINTAGE LADIES’ HATPINS CZECH GLASS $89.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE GEOMETRIC-SHAPED CLEAR AB RHINESTONE PIN/BROOCH $39.99 |
|
|
Top Quality Colorful Crystal & Antique Bronze Flower Brooch Free shipping AX0449 $1.35 |
|
|
6PC Wholesale Lot HUGE BLUE VINTAGE STYLE Pins/Brooches CAMEO! WEDDING BOUQUET $12.49 |
|
|
KISSING ANGELS RHINESTONE GOLD HEART PIN, BROOCH $6.99 |
|
|
BRUSHED GOLDTONE, RHINESTONE & FAUX PEARL DAVID DUBIN BROOCH $20.00 |
|
|
NEW ON CARD TRIFARI TASSEL STICKPIN -GOLDTONE $11.00 |
|
|
SARAH COVENTRY SILVERTONE BROOCH OR PENDANT W/ VARIIED STONES & RHINESTONES $20.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE 1930s GOLDTONE AND AMBER STONE BROOCH $11.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE GREEN AMBER RHINESTONE FLOWER BROOCH UNSIGNED $35.00 |
|
|
Shining Exquisite Rhinestone Crystal White Owl Brooch Free Shipping AX045 $1.02 |
|
|
American Uncle Sam Hat Pin Brooch Red White Blue Rhinestones Patriotic July 4th $19.90 |
|
|
VINTAGE ROSEBUD ENAMEL PIN, BROOCH $7.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE JEWELRY BROOCH/PIN LOT-50 PC-ALL WEAR-A FEW-FLOWER POWER/RHINESTONE $14.50 |
|
|
RARE BRASS BELL PEST CONTROL INC ADVERTISING PIN BROOCH PESTICIDE SPRAYER $14.99 |
|
|
Multi-color Crystal & Antique Bronze Flying Swan Brooch Free shipping AX0448 $1.25 |
|
|
COLORFUL GOLDEN METAL & RHINESTONES ABSTRACT PIN BROOCH $14.00 |
|
|
Holy Flower Lily Pin Brooch Swarovski Crystal Yellow Enamel $6.92 |
|
|
Vintage Gold Black Enamel Damascene Bar Pin $12.99 |
|
|
Ds144 GREEN AGATE GEMSTONE CRYSTAL FLOWER BEADS PIN BROOCH 1P $3.95 |
|
|
VINTAGE MODERNIST LARGE AMBER PIN IN CUSTOM SETTING $90.00 |
|
|
Holy Flower Lily Pin Brooch Swarovski Crystal Purple Enamel $6.92 |
|
|
Very pretty vintage style flower $4.99 |
|
|
Retro Vintage Cute Love Long Hair Girl Fashion Brooch Pin 5169 $1.29 |
|
|
Antique Sterling Silver Mother of Pearl MOP Cameo Pendant Brooch Pin $50.00 |
|
|
Brand New RUCINNI 9297 Crystal Brooch Length 25 mm. Free US Shipping $28.00 |
|
|
Vtg Discon’t KIRKS FOLLY TWINKLE The TOOTH FAIRY Brooch $95.00 |
|
|
Charming Golden Tulip Type Inlaid Rhinestone Gold-Plated Brooch Pin $0.99 |
|
|
Antique Goldfilled Bar pin brooch $35.00 |
|
|
Signed Jewelry lot 12 Pins Brooches MONET TRIFARI BARCLAY SAR COV CORO $12.99 |
|
|
Vintage CORO pin $7.00 |
|
|
6.3″ Flower Brooch Pin Pendant Topaz Swarovski Crystal $35.10 |
|
|
Vintage Style 3.9″ Brown Flower Brooch Pin W/ Rhinestone Crystals $6.95 |
|
|
Vintage Antique Jewelry Silver Brooch Pin Swordfish Garnet and Chrysoprase Stone $34.00 |
|
|
Vintage Signed BSK Peach Colored,Gold Tone & AB Rhinestone Flower Brooch Pin $21.59 |
|
|
New!!wholesale 10pcs nice S80 silver CZ rings 7-9 JQ10 $1.04 |
|
|
VINTAGE BLACK BIRD RHINESTONE BROOCH -789 $3.98 |
Tags: brooch · butterfly pin brooch · crafts · faberge spider pin brooch · flower · pin brooch · pin brooch stores · pin brooches · sewing · tutorialNo Comments
0 responses so far ↓
Like gas stations in rural Texas after 10 pm, comments are closed.