Description
Needs 2 stones….This is an absolutely gorgeous Roaring 20s from an estate pin from many years ago with its old original push pull trombone clasp, all of its original sparkly green glass paste stones, most of its original clear white stones from years ago, thin fancy filigree open work and teeny tiny millgrain cut edges. Very pretty. A few of the clear white stones were replaced over the years, are very old and look fine. I only see 2 missing stones. The very fancy design along with prong settings and tiny stones makes the missing stones not eye noticeable or obvious when the pin is worn. All of the green stones have open backs. I could not find a mark on the silver but it looks, feels and polishes like 800 Eurpean grade of silver. Size is 1 1/2″ long east to west by 9/16″ tall north to south. Overall condition is very good used. No dents or dings. Push pull clasp works wells. No tears or deep scratches. The Art Deco paste is still sparkly. Overall this is a lovely original Art Deco paste pin/brooch for your fine antique and vintage jewelry collection.
AI verification of age, design and materials:
Why It Fits the 1920s Art Deco EraThe Design:
The geometric, symmetrical frame juxtaposed with stylized, openwork abstract flora is the quintessential definition of high-style [Art Deco.
The Stones: It is set with clear pastes (lead glass faceted to mimic diamonds) and an outer border of caliber-cut green paste mimicking emeralds. The open-back settings and delicate milgrain edging around the borders are traditional period techniques.
The Clasp: The reverse shows a trombone clasp (the cylindrical mechanism you pull out to release the pin stem). This specific safety mechanism was patented in Europe and heavily used by French and continental jewelers starting in the 1910s and through the 1920s.
Why the Silver Isn’t Marked:
It is incredibly common for antique European silver jewelry from this period to lack an obvious stamp, even if it is solid, high-quality silver (often 800 or 925 grade):
Hidden Continental Hallmarks: If this piece is French, they did not stamp “925” or “Sterling” at the time. Instead, small jewelry items were struck with tiny pictorial punches, such as a boar’s head or a crab (signifying 800 silver fineness). These marks are exceptionally small (often under 1mm) and were stamped on the outside rim of the frame, on the pin stem itself, or on the tiny pull-tab of the trombone clasp. They are easily missed without a jeweler’s loupe or can wear away from years of polishing.
Exemption by Weight: Many countries, including France and the UK, had minimum weight thresholds for mandatory assay testing. If a delicate piece of jewelry fell under a certain number of grams, the jeweler was legally exempt from paying the tax and having it officially stamped.
Custom Bench Work: High-end paste jewelry from this era was treated like fine jewelry—hand-crafted by master bench jewelers as identical, safer replicas of a client’s diamond and platinum sets. If made as a custom piece, it didn’t always go through commercial retail assay channels.
Alternative Metals: If it isn’t silver, the only other period-correct option for this exact style of costume piece is white metal/pot metal or chromium-plated brass. However, the soft grey tarnish pattern, the sharpness of the hand-pierced work, and the execution points strongly to it being fine continental silver.
