Topic: Clear Brooch with Girl image...in Shells ??

[antiquerose123]

Bought this, and not sure how to describe it....but a clear plastic (could it be Lucite??) brooch with a image of a girl in it.  It is like it was carved out in the back, and then some kind of paper or SHELLS was used to insert into this to make the image.  The clasp also looks older.

Anyone have any ideas what exactly this is, or called, or age.....  and how does one tell if it is Lucite??

Help....

[antiquerose123]

...and ADDED this as to SIZE RELATION....this pic taken beside a PENNY...

[Anne]

Isn't she pretty Rose! 

I found an eBay guide to Lucite jewellery here: http://reviews.ebay.com/Lucite-Jewelry-Identifying-Varieties-or-Types_W0QQugidZ10000000000952312?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:3 which shows some embedded lucite pieces about half way down the page.

Page about fittings here, to date the clasp by:
http://www.morninggloryantiques.com/JewelChatFindings.html (fantastic site that by the way! I spent a whole day reading it.)

and more Lucite jewellery here:
http://www.morninggloryjewelry.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Lucite&sort=2a&page=1 - some super pieces!

[Anne E.B.]

What a gorgeous brooch Rose!  Can it also be worn as a pendant?  Sometimes they have a dual fitting.

Here's an interesting article on Lucite http://www.collectics.com/education_plastic.html
It says that Lucite could be made in any colour, from opaque to transparent and was popular from 1950-1953, and that other objects could be embedded in it, e.g. seashells.

Spotted this test for different "plastics"including Lucite.  http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/gale/   Scroll down to "MOST ACCURATE: The hot water test"   "If it smells clean or like nothing at all, its lucite or acrylic."  

[antiquerose123]

Hi there:
Thanks for the SUPER LINKS there (Anne, and Anne EB) Excellent!!

I have not tried the test yet, but visually - I would like to think that it is a "Lucite Back carved or Reverse Carved" Brooch.

In one of the Link, THIS ONE LOOKS quite the same as for size, style, rectangle design::
http://www.morninggloryjewelry.com/lucite-reverse-carved-red-roses-earrings-p-694.html

Mine (might??) be able to be worn as a pendant too.  There is no dual fitting, but one could still attach to any chain (I guess).

Not sure if the innards are Real Shells because they are so THIN.....still out on that -- but YES, I too thought she was a LOVELY LITTLE THING


  

[Anne E.B.]

I wonder if the "shells" could also be made from the same material?

Its just that I spotted this absolutely huge and extremely heavy waste-paper bin(?) earlier today and nabbed it.  Its modern, but made from some type of clear resin.  The fish, and especially the seaweed, look as though they too are made of plastic.  The seaweed in particular is 3-dimensional, and along with the fish, which are thinner, appear to be encased in the clear resin.  I'm not sure whether the container is double walled, and the decoration has been placed inside a cavity, or whether the wall is solid resin with the decoration suspended in it.

Now I probably wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't for your lovely brooch, so its your fault Rose   However, your brooch wins hands down

[antiquerose123]

lol........   

I am SO GLAD I inspired YOU!  But that is what the Board for - helping us research things, and also helping us to CLUE us in on what may be little treasures still lurking out there.  Same reason I bought the brooch - looked old, and I HAD seen in Antique books about older purses with Lucite Handles.  So that is why that idea  FLASHED in my head that I better buy this little Brooch.  Thought it may be Lucite.....and collectible

I do hope you will POST you new item for us to see....

I also have a thing from around the 70's era (I think it is a resin type) pot holder stand, with what looks like real live Daisy's  (suspended) in it

  (Glad to know I crossed your mind.....)

[Pat]

They usually just carve the patttern into the back and then paint these Lucite brooches. Often 1940's or 1950's they sell well. Usually they are just flowers but this one is a rare piece.

[antiquerose123]

  Hi there Pat:
Thanks for the info....and that she is Rare.   Have you seen one like this before, or heard about these types?

When you say *rare* -- do you mean the shells, or the fact that their is a little girl (rather than just flowers) in it.

I am glad for your info -- I think she is Sweet too -- and a Keeper !!!!

[Pat]

Rose, I have sold a fair few of these in the past but they have all been flowers or baskets of flowers, never seen a girl or shells. But I am certain it is reverse carved lucite.

[pottingaround]

I have a Pendant that  is familiar to that, it is Taxco made in Mexico.

[antiquerose123]

I wonder if your Chain is from Taxco (Mexico) as I found nothing for them making this type of Jewelry -- but they do the chains, and big thick metal things.

So not sure.  Grandparent were never in Mexico, but immigrated from Europe (Hungry)