Huge Ciner Retro Floral Spray Brooch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:Gold Plate
- Dimensions:Width: 2.5 in (63.5 mm)Length: 3.5 in (88.9 mm)
- Style:Retro
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1940-1949
- Date of Manufacture:1940
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU462441643
Ciner
What defines “fine” jewelry? For many aficionados, there’s a clear line separating the golden wheat from the gilded chaff. But the handcrafted pieces made by Ciner, a 128-year-old costume jewelry house with a glittering past to rival some of the hautest high jewelers, call into question our notions of what constitutes preciousness.
Quality? Craftsmanship? Painstaking detail? Vintage Ciner earrings, brooches, necklaces and other accessories have them all in spades.
Much of the Ciner’s allure can be traced to its origins in fine jewelry. Emanuel Ciner, an Austrian immigrant, founded the firm in Manhattan in 1892, crafting pieces from the traditional precious gems, gold and platinum. But World War I and the Great Depression caused purse strings to tighten and materials to become scarce. Rather than try to weather the economic downturn, which shuttered many other American jewelers, Ciner made the risky transition from fine jewelry to costume (or fashion) jewelry — virtually uncharted territory.
Emanuel Ciner’s sons, Irwin and Charles, introduced an array of innovations — rubber casting molds, which are especially durable and produce higher quality results, and white metal alloys, which affordably mimic the look of more precious materials — that would become the standard for costume jewelry. During World War II, Ciner’s advanced molding technology was utilized by the U.S. military to produce munitions and tools. This arrangement gave the firm access to the heavily rationed metals it needed for its jewels, enabling it again to endure conditions that drove others into bankruptcy.
The company hit its stride in the 1960s, when its jewelry was sold at some of the country’s toniest stores, even garnering an Andy Warhol–illustrated ad for Bonwit Teller. Its pieces were worn by the era’s brightest stars. In the famous 1957 Joe Shere photo of Sophia Loren sneering at Jayne Mansfield’s décolletage, Mansfield is resplendent in shoulder-grazing Ciner earrings.
Ciner is unique among costume jewelers in that its pieces aren’t imitations — they are coveted in their own right. Elizabeth Taylor, a voracious jewelry collector with a taste for the very finest, was a longtime client. Several suites of Ciner jewels were included in the 2011 Christie’s sale of Taylor’s collection, with one group of rhinestone-studded ear clips and a bracelet fetching $15,600 — more than 100 times the auction estimate. It’s a reminder of a time, not so long ago, when women of great style wore fine and costume jewelry with equal aplomb, often at the same time.
Today, Ciner — now run by Emanuel Ciner’s granddaughter Pat Ciner Hill and great-granddaughter Jean Hill — continues to adhere to the same exacting production specifications. It is the only jewelry house in New York, and likely the United States, that manufactures all its pieces entirely in-house. Each begins with dozens of elements that are cast in rubber molds and then individually filed and polished, plated in a particularly thick layer of 18-karat gold or rhodium, assembled on the bench and painted with enamel or set with stones. Every step is performed by hand by craftsmen, many of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years.
Find vintage Ciner clip-on earrings, choker necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Trifari Alfred Philippe Sterling Retro Clip BroochBy TrifariLocated in New York, NYTrifari rose gold plated sterling silver faux moonstone cabochon clip brooch by Alfred Philippe. This Retro brooch is further enhanced by pierce work, fau...Category
Vintage 1940s American Retro Brooches
MaterialsGold Plate, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
- French Embroidered Combs and BroochesLocated in New York, NYUnusual suite of matching hair combs and brooches. French in origin with lavishly hand embellished beads, rhinestones and faux pearls on felt bases. Brooch 3.25". Comb 1.75". 1940's...Category
Vintage 1940s French Brooches
- Art Deco Bakelite Owl on BranchLocated in New York, NYCharming Art Deco Bakelite Owl on Branch from the 1930's. Hand carved maroon bakelite owl with glass eyes is perched on a carved wood tree. American folk art jewelry. 2" x 2". 1930's...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Brooches
- Miriam Haskell Matrix Turquoise BroochBy Miriam HaskellLocated in New York, NYMiriam Haskell hand made brooch of faux matrix turquoise and crystal diamante, set on signature Russian Gilt filigree base. 1950's USA. Excellent con...Category
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
- French Art Deco Sport Clip, SkierLocated in New York, NYCharming French Art Deco Sport Clip hand made of brushed brass and chrome of a falling skier in the period Deco style. Works best on heavier fabrics on garment areas like neckline or...Category
Vintage 1920s French Artisan Brooches
MaterialsRhodium, Brass
- Massive Joseff Tremblant SprayBy Joseff of HollywoodLocated in New York, NYJoseff of Hollywood, massive spray brooch with cushion cut crystals en tremblant. In signature Joseff lacquered green gold finish. 1940's USA. 4.75"L,1.75"HCategory
Vintage 1940s American Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Rene Boivin 18 Karat Gold & Diamond Brooch PinBy René BoivinLocated in Brisbane, QLDThis diamond brooch pin has been crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and set with fancy coloured diamonds, manufactured by Rene Boivin. The piece which dates to the 1950s takes the form ...Category
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
- Mauboussin GRS Certified Burma Ruby Diamond Flower BroochBy MauboussinLocated in New York, NYThe Diamond Ruby Flower Brooch, signed by Mauboussin, is an exquisite piece of jewelry that showcases the brand's craftsmanship and attention to detail. This brooch is a true masterp...Category
Mid-20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
- 80s Escada Gold Toned Red/White/Blue Stripe Boat BroochesBy EscadaLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 80s Escada gold toned setting red/white/blue stripe boat shape brooches. - Length: 2 inches. Width: 1.75 inches.Category
Vintage 1980s Unknown Brooches
- bee brooch / vintage jewelry , vintage broochLocated in Sammu shi, JPmaterial:brass, swarovski glass size:wide 3.8cm This cute bee brooch has a rounded silhouette. The design has no corners, so there is no discomfort ...Category
Vintage 1970s Japanese Artisan Brooches
MaterialsBrass, Gold
- Christian Lacroix Black and White Cross Gold Toned Setting BroochBy Christian Lacroix ParisLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 80s Christian Lacroix black and white cross gold toned setting brooch. - Size : Height: 3.5 inches. Length: 1.5 inches width.Category
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
- Escada Gold/Black Star BroochBy EscadaLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 80s Escada gold/black star brooch. - Length: 2.5inCategory
Vintage 1980s German Brooches