Description: A study in contrast and craft — this brooch centers a hand-etched bird amid scrolling botanicals, rendered in gold inlay on oxidized steel in the Toledo tradition. The octagonal panel is framed by an elaborate gold-tone filigree border that catches light from every angle. Damascene work traces its roots to Moorish Spain, and pieces like this one were made at their peak in mid-century Toledo workshops. Wears beautifully on a lapel, coat, or scarf.

Materials: Gold-toned metal filigree frame; oxidized steel center panel with gold inlay (damasquino technique)

Details:

• Era: c. 1950s–1960s
  
• Style / design notes: Octagonal damascene center panel; ornate looped filigree surround; bird in flight with floral and scroll motifs
• Material notes: Gold inlay on blackened steel
• Function: Pin brooch
• Color: Black and gold
• Condition: Good vintage condition, some gold tone loss around edges

Measurement: 1.6" × 1.9"

Collected by Mineral and Matter

A quill feather rendered in Spanish damascene — the centuries-old Toledo tradition of inlaying fine gold wire and colored enamel into blackened metal — with yellow, green, and white scrolling detail across every barb. A matching damascene ball serves as the chained safety cap at the pin's end, making the entire piece a cohesive object from tip to terminus. Spanish damascene stick pins of this quality were among the most sought-after tourist and export pieces of the post-war decades.

Materials: Gold-tone base metal, Spanish damascene enamel inlay (yellow, green, white on blackened metal)

Details:

• Era: 1950s–1960s
• Markings: "Spain" stamped on reverse
• Style / design notes: Feather/quill form, full damascene enamel coverage, scrolling gold inlay detail, chained matching damascene ball safety cap
• Stone or material notes: Toledo-style damascene — gold wire and colored enamel inlaid into blackened base metal
• Color: Yellow, green, white, and black with gold inlay
• Condition: Vintage with wear consistent and tone loss is a few places, see images
• Measurement: 3.5" long

Collected by Mineral and Matter

Three flat herringbone chains braided together into a single fluid strand — each chain catching light independently as it twists, so the whole piece shifts between matte and mirror as it moves. Gathered at each end by smooth cylindrical end caps and finished with a spring ring clasp stamped ©Trifari. The kind of chain that looks effortless and expensive at once.

Materials: Gold tone base metal

Details:

• Era: 1980s
• Markings: ©Trifari (on clasp)
• Style / design notes: Three-strand braided herringbone construction; cylindrical barrel end caps; spring ring clasp
• Stone or material notes: None
• Color: Gold tone
• Condition: Good vintage condition, please see photos 
• Measurement: 12" clasped

Collected by Mineral and Matter

All gold, all texture — the wings of this Trifari butterfly are filled with a dense field of raised gold-tone beads set within an open filigree lattice, each bead catching light differently depending on the angle. The body is sleek and pointed, the antennae curl at the tips with a light hand. Understated and confident. Signed TRIFARI© on the reverse.

Materials & Details:

• Era: 1960s–1970s
• Markings: Signed TRIFARI© on reverse
• Style notes: Open filigree wings filled with raised bead detail, pointed body, curled antennae, simple pin back
• Stone notes: None
• Color: Gold tone
• Condition: Good vintage condition, please see images
  

Collected by Mineral and Matter

A gold tone metal rope chain and a black cord are twisted together into a single fluid strand, finished at each end with polished gold oval end caps and a small lobster clasp. The contrast of matte black against warm gold gives the piece a graphic, almost architectural quality — minimal but with real presence. Versatile enough to wear as a choker doubled, or as a delicate single strand.

Materials: Gold tone base metal, black cord

Details:

• Era: 1980s
• Markings: ©Trifari
• Style / design notes: Two-strand twisted rope construction; gold tone metal rope twisted with black cord; polished oval end caps; lobster clasp
• Stone or material notes: None
• Color: Gold tone and black
• Condition: Good vintage condition, please see photos 
• Measurement: 12" clasped

Collected by Mineral and Matter

Vintage necklace featuring an ornate Victorian revival pendant with a romantic “courting couple” porcelain-style cabochon, framed by intricate gold-tone filigree and delicate faux pearl accents. A coordinating top medallion connects to a graceful double-chain drop, creating an elegant 5-inch dangle.

• Chain length: 22”
• Drop length: approx. 5”

Very good vintage condition with light wear consistent with age.

Era: Late 1980s – early 1990s

Cast in the tradition of European dress jewelry, this round brooch is dense with ornament — concentric rings of scrolling filigree, a scalloped border edge, and a raised pinwheel flower at the center, all in oxidized silver tone that lets the depth of the pattern read clearly. The "W. Germany" stamp on the back is a reliable date marker, placing manufacture before German reunification in 1990, and signals the quality standards associated with postwar West German jewelry production. Closes with a clip mechanism rather than a pin — secure and non-damaging to fabric.

Materials Silver-tone base metal, oxidized finish

Details

• Era: c. 1950s–1980s, pre-1990 (confirmed by W. Germany stamp)
• Markings: Stamped "W. Germany" on reverse
• Style / design notes: Circular form; layered openwork filigree with scrolling S-curve motifs; raised pinwheel floral center; scalloped outer border with marcasite-style bead detail; oxidized finish enhances relief depth
• Function: Clip brooch (clip-back mechanism, non-piercing)
• Color: Silver tone, oxidized
• Condition: Vintage with gentle surface wear consistent with age

Measurement: Approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter

Collected by Mineral and Matter

A deeply dimensional repousse village scene — figures gathered beneath trees, a church spire in the distance, a dog at rest in the foreground — covers the entire front face of this substantial oval locket, with the scene continuing in relief on the interior left panel. Whiting & Davis, best known for their mesh bags and jewelry, produced pieces of genuine craft, and this locket carries that legacy in its weight and detail. The brushed reverse and single photo compartment keep the interior calm against the narrative exterior.

Materials: Silver-tone base metal

Details:

• Era: 1970s
• Markings: Whiting & Davis (confirmed by brand attribution — please verify signature location on piece)
• Style / design notes: Large oval locket, full-coverage repousse village scene on front, relief scene continues on interior left panel, brushed crosshatch reverse, single photo compartment, rope chain
• Stone or material notes: None
• Color: Oxidized silver-tone
• Condition: Great Vintage Condition
• Measurement: 26" chain; pendant 2" x 2.5"

Collected by Mineral and Matter