Description
Gorgeous, perfect, unused vintage signed Florenza pearl wrapped cameo pearls pendant chatelaine pin from an estate from many years ago. The back has an Victorian style hook design commonly used for hanging watches and dangles. Original owner was a distributor for Florenza, Trifari, Hollycraft and many other NY costume houses in the 1960s and 1970s. This pin is signed Florenza and you will likely recognize the antique Russian gold finish for which Florenza was well know in the mid to late mid century. It has fine quality workmanship and is very well made. Size is 1 1/2″ from top to bottom by 1 3/8″ wide. The cameo is hand carved and made of natural shell just like the antique cameos that are set in solid gold. The pearls are better quality faux with a slight hint of silver like most natural pearls of the Victorian era. Cameo is perfect. All gold is intact. No wear at all NEVER used except for display. Still has its old original gold hang tag on the pin rod. Best condition example of vintage Florenza for your antique and vintage jewelry collection. Just add a chain and you will have a lovely vintage statement dangle necklace.
Antique Jewelry Looks
Florenza jewelry pieces are distinctive for their antique looks and resemble Victorian and Renaissance jewelry.
Florenza Jewelry was initially designed by Daniel Kasoff whose original name was Kosovsky. He started off his career in the garment industry and it was chance that gave him an entry into the costume jewelry business. He was out dining when someone stole his coat. Mr. Speier was also in the same restaurant and paid him for a replacement coat. Kasoff repaid Speier the amount as soon as he was able, and Speier, impressed with his honesty offered him a job in Speier Costume Jewelry Co.
There, Kasoff was able to gain experience in various aspects of the business and ten years later he branched out. He set up Kaywin Novelty New York in the 1930s along with Marty Weiner. He then set up his own costume jewelry company called The Dan Kasoff Company using savings he had accumulated by then.
Emphasis on Quality
Florenza jewelry placed emphasis on quality and fine finish. This is what made marks such as Estee Lauder and Revlon choose to use their products and designs.
Legacy Dan’s son Larry Kasoff continued to carry on the legacy of his father and the Florenza jewelry line was produced until 1981. Larry Kasoff was planning a new line of jewelry at that time when he was severely injured in an automobile accident. This forced him to shut shop and Florenza jewelry is no longer produced.
- Production Dates: The company operated from roughly 1950 until 1981.
- Key Features: Many pieces feature a copyright symbol (circle with letter c mark), dating them to 1955 or later.
- Style: Known for Victorian and Renaissance Revival designs, featuring cameos in gold-plated settings, often with faux pearls or art glass.
- Maker: Founded by Daniel Kasoff and named after his mother, Florence
- Items marked with a copyright symbol are generally dated to 1955–1980
