brooch

Lady Rose

seraglia — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 17:58:57 +0000

A massive yet shabby vintage Sarah Coventry brooch is updated with an applied rose opal Swarovski brooch and a single vintage aurora borealis earring.

Created to be worn on a fascinator or large hat

Annie Besant

seraglia — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:59:50 +0000

Annie Besant was a prominent Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self rule.

Her role in India's path to independence is recognised widely, as is her promotion of Hindu spirituality in the West. Today many Indian cities have streets that bear her name.

This brooch encorporates the new and full moon, and the colours of India's flag, green orange and white.

Marilyn Monroe

seraglia — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:16:04 +0000

Though known for her dumb blonde roles, Marilyn was a clever, complex actress with great talent, a wonderful singing voice and a reputation for emotional scenes off camera.

Though know for her extravagant made to fit stage drsses, in her private life she had much simpler tastes, and loved the outdoors.

"Sex is a part of nature. I go along with nature."

A vintage Judy Lee brooch set with jonquil and amber navettes and rounds is given greater expression with added filigree pendant leaves and hearts, Swarovski and Czech beads, and a hammered brass heart pendant.

Pondicherry

seraglia — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:19:38 +0000

Inspired by the holy city of Pondicherry in South India, the brooch combines Indian silver set with ruby and pale emerald gemstone, European silver filligree and hammered heart, Chinese jade beads and modern Swarovski crystal.

Victoria's Glen

seraglia — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:08:21 +0000

A Victorian hand-engraved thistle set brooch with amber faceted cabochon form the perfect setting for an antique Venetian gold foiled bead and three charmingly aged coins - all featuing the young Queen Victoria. Scotland was very dear to Victoria's heart, and she spent much time there, commissioning many artists to capture the scenery in watercolour.

Love birds brooch

seraglia — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:11:45 +0000

Antique Georgian gaming counter hand carved in China, suspended from an Edwardian brass pin and accented by a hand cut uranium glass bead.

Katy Carr Brooch

seraglia — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:19:40 +0000

Created for the remarkable singer songwriter Katy Carr. This brooch has been lovingly updated with flame red rhinestones, a bronze heart with Swarovski drops and given a lavish deep orange oval pendant. Live photo by Keira Vallejo Photography. More about Katy may be found at http://katycarr.com/

Red Jezebel brooch

seraglia — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:43:32 +0000

Butterfly and jewellery collectors are quite alike - drawn to spectacular colours and vibrant textures.

The Victorians and Edwardians loved the tropical species most, but paid little thought to the impact their acquisitiveness might have. Today the specimens we use come from British butterfly parks or from tropical farms which help protect wild species and their habitats.

Here an Edwardian ruby glass set lovers knot brooch is combined with:

A vintage ruby rhinestone set earring
Modern filigree panel
Reclaimed heavy belcher chain
Swarovski crystal focal bead

Dolores del Río brooch

seraglia — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:14:31 +0000

Dolores del Río was a star of Hollywood films during the silent era and in the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the first international Latin American movie star. She was frequently referred to as the "Princess of México" and was the first of what became the archetypal thirties film actress - strong featured, and strong willed.

We have taken a museum quality pre-columbian style brooch and added:

A large Edwardian mother of pearl bead.
Carved accent beads in Canadian jade, new jade and honey citrine
Swarovski and vintage Crystal beads
Vintage gold tone tassels

Kim Novak brooch

seraglia — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:32:24 +0000

Charming textured vintage brooch with citrine, Swarovski and vintage drops and a luscious carved new jade leaf.

Theda Bara Brooch

seraglia — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:26:11 +0000

Theda Bara was an American silent film actress and one of cinema's earliest sex symbols. Her femme fatale roles earned her the nickname "The Vamp" (short for vampire). She played powerful women such as Cleopatra and was often cast as the goddess, temptress or naturally, the vamp. Many of her films are now lost, but photographs of Theda, clad in exotic and fabulous costumes pay tribute to her style.

An American 1940's sterling silver vermeil vintage brooch with a huge faceted amber glass stone is given greater impact with a striking drop of vintage fire polished beads and:

Evelyn Nesbit

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:26:44 +0000

Evelyn Nesbit was more of a chorus girl than actual stage actress, and started as an artist model and Gibson girl. She became famous as "the girl in the red velvet swing," the subject of a notorious murder case.

A hauntingly beautiful mix of vintage carved coral and glass beadwork with modern crystal

* Vermeil antique silver brooch wired with carved red coral leaves and flowers and interspersed with Swarovski bicone beads
* Opaque red bugle beads
* Vintage glass druk beads
* Czech clear dagger beads
* Swarovski bicone beads

Maureen O’Sullivan brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:14:54 +0000

Maureen O’Sullivan was considered Ireland's first film star - and is best know for her portayal of Jane in six Tarzan films. Her Jungle adventures have inspired this charming brooch, with fittings to be worn as a brooch or pendant.

This charming Juliana treasure has been impressively swagged with:

* Vintage aurora borealis coated crystal beads
* Vintage emerald green glass baroque pearl
* Vintage rope chain
* Swarovski crystal rondelles
* Swarovski bicone beads
* Exquisite vintage carved jade leaf pendant

Emerald Isle brooch

seraglia — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:04:41 +0000

The colours of the earth, the rocks and the sea in a spellbinding and timeless combination

* Vintage 'Miracle' celtic style brooch
* Faceted aventurine beads
* Vintage baroque and faceted Czech glass beads
* Vintage rhinestone rondelles
* Large glass faceted 'jade' bead
* 1970's sterling silver chain tassel

Matching earrings on request

Joan Crawford brooch

seraglia — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:01:43 +0000

From modest beginnings as a flapper in a chorus line, through hard work and determination Joan Crawford became first a silent film star and then alongside Betty Davis, the epitome of Hollywood high drama.

Her signature style with bold wide red lips, arched brows and wide shouldered jackets typified the late 30's and early 40's.

1940's 'retro' style Coro brooch with sweeping arabesques surmounted by a stylised rhinestone set flower and:

*Faceted aurora borealis beads
*Swarovski crystal rondelles
*a huge 1980's prismatic Lucite pendant

Curacao pearl brooch

seraglia — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:00:34 +0000

A sparkling mix of tropical ocean colours

* Vintage chrome plated aurora borealis and blue rhinestone brooch
* Faceted and shaped Russian jet, aventurine, rutilated quartz and beads
* Vintage crystal rondelles
* Swarovski 'opal' bicone beads
* Vintage aurora borealis faceted crystal beads
* Japanese Delica seed beeds
* Carved mother of pearl leaf

Matching earrings on request

Mata Hari brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:56:34 +0000

Mata Hari, Indonesian for "eye of the day" or the sun, was the stage name of a notorious yet talented dancer and performer. She was executed as a spy who had betrayed the allies and caused the death of thousands of soldiers during WW1. Whether she was a spy or not, she was a talented dancer and seductress.

A gem to entrance and capture the heart and mind - and to dance with.

* Antique stone set Czech filigree brooch
* Cut and faceted chalcedony rondelles
* Swarovski crystal faceted beads, rondelles and double coated bicone beads

Judy Garland Brooch

seraglia — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:54:20 +0000

A stunning combination of blue jewel tones - taking you over the rainbow to where skies really are blue.

* Swarovski crystal rondelles and double coated bicone beads
* Vintage gold tone chain and bead caps
* Vintage mirror finish beads from Czechoslovakia
* Vintage claw set rhinestone and pearl filigree brooch
* Vintage gold plated chain

Social butterfly brooch

seraglia — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:51:33 +0000

A rhinestone set butterfly brooch had lost it's lower wings. seraglia have cleverly replaced them with shimmering vintage aurora borealis crystal beads, and opal Swarovski beads.

Daisy Island brooch

seraglia — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:50:28 +0000

Bright and breezy, with a rare larimar bead from the Dominican Republic to bring light to your day

* Vintage opaque and sky blue rhinestone set brooch by Wiess
* Antiqued gunmetal findings
* Swarovski aurora borealis beads
* Charming carved mother of pearl leaf bead
* Delica beads from Japan

Amechi brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:48:15 +0000

Perfect for the gentleman about town - an elegant way to wear his heart on his sleeve -or lapel.

* Vintage silver filigree brooch overlaid with a rhinestone set gold metal accent, and finished with a lavish heart drop
* Reclaimed Sterling silver domed drop and vintage silver plated chain

Tzarina brooch

seraglia — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:37:54 +0000

A touch of Imperial Russia reflected in emerald and lavish goldtone.

* Cut and faceted chalcedony rondelles
* Swarovski crystal rondelles
* Faceted chalcedony focal bead
* Vintage goldtone chain and beadcaps
* Goldtone filigree beadcaps
* Vintage cabochon set filigree Sarah Coventry brooch
* 1940's givre glass Cherry Brand bead from Japan

Matching earrings on request

Hetty King brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:36:56 +0000

Inpired by the captivating 'king' of the music hall 'principal boys' Hetty King, this dainty brooch embellished with a delicate fairytale mix of colours could be worn by a man or a woman.

* Vintage filigree brooch overlaid with firepolished apollo coated beads and set with a centre glass pearl
* Japanese satin glass Delica beads
* Chalcedony freeform bead
* Swarovski vitrail leaf pendant

Violet's Prize brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:35:25 +0000

Award yourself this lavish prize!

* Vintage filigree brooch studded with violet and purple rhinestones
* Swarovski double aurora borealis beads
* Gilt and tapestry floss tassel

Queen Helen brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:31:00 +0000

A small yet striking brooch with an air of exotic mystery, inspired by the Anglo-Burmese queen of Indian Burlesque, Helen.

* Vintage Indian silver filigree brooch with coral centre
* Swarovski bicone beads
* Japanese Delica beads
* Antique African trade bead sourced from the silk route in Morocco.
* Gunmetal findings

Dame Melba brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:26:27 +0000

Dame Nellie Melba GBE was an Australian opera soprano who became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian Era and the early 20th century due to the purity of her lyrical voice and the brilliance of her technique. The Peach Melba was named in her honour and has inspired the colours and textures of this brooch.

Semi-precious and vintage beads combined to inspire love and to charm all around.

* Cut and faceted beads in gem citrine, carnelian, chalcedony moonstone and rose quartz
* Vintage and contemporay shell beads

Anna May Wong brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:24:11 +0000

Treasures of India, Burma and Canada combined to charm and entice. Inspired by the 'dragon lady' roles played by the the first Chinese American international film star, Anna May Wong.

* Vintage beads aurora borealis cut glass beads
* Sterling silver Indian pendants with gem cut and cabochon peridots
* Canadian new jade accent bead
* Faceted chalcedony rondelles
* Vintage silver plated Indian brass bells

The brooch itself is made from hand punched silver, with a white metal back, and depicts a guardian dragon mask.

Cinnabar Charm brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:12:55 +0000

This antique Chinese carved cinnabar brooch has been enhanced with:

* Vintage mother of pearl beads
* Vintage and contemporary Czech fire polished beads
* Indian wire wrapped bead
* Contemporary oxidised filigree chain
* Faceted carnelian bead
* Vintage moonglow lucite bead
* Vintage rhinestone set accent bead

Cinnabar is a vivid coloured mineral reputed to give the wearer long life.

Sarah Bernhardt brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:55:38 +0000

A treasure trove of golden shades and textures, inspired by the empassioned performances of Sarah Bernhardt "the most famous actress the world has ever known". Victor Hugo, for whom she performed, described her voice as 'golden'.

* Vintage aurora borealis faceted cut crystal beads
* Czech gold coated faceted cut crystal beads
* Vintage gold coated glass 'pearls'
* Vintage glass 'pearls'
* Double coated Swarovski crystal beads
* Aurora borealis rhinestone set rondelles

Captured hearts brooch

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:43:47 +0000

1940's design was greatly influenced by the oriental and the exotic.