Binder Brothers Brooch Appraisal

Vintage Binder Brothers Sterling Silver Foliate Brooch

This is a vintage circlet-style brooch crafted from .925 sterling silver, featuring a botanical motif of detailed maple or ivy leaves entwined with silver flourishes. The piece exhibits high-quality craftsmanship, with realistic veining on the leaf surfaces and a hand-finished aesthetic typical of mid-20th-century American costume jewelry. The construction consists of a wire-work frame with applied cast elements. The reverse side prominently displays a rectangular hallmark stamped 'STERLING' above the initials 'BB', identifying the maker as Binder Brothers of New York, a company active from the early 1920s through the mid-century. The hardware includes a traditional horizontal pinstem with a rolling safety clasp. Condition-wise, the item shows a significant amount of natural tarnish (oxidation) and patina, particularly in the recessed areas of the leaf design, which enhances its vintage character. There are no immediate signs of structural damage or metal fatigue, though the pinstem shows slight bowing from use. The overall style is reminiscent of the Retro or Early Post-War period, likely dating from the 1940s to the 1950s.