Bronze Hair Ornament Appraisal

Vintage Bronze-Finished Floral Kanzashi (Hairpin) Component

This item is an elongated decorative metal piece, likely a component for a traditional Japanese hair stick (kanzashi) or a costume jewelry brooch. It is cast from a base metal, possibly brass or a zinc alloy, and finished with an antique bronze or 'patinated brass' coating that highlights the recessed areas. The design features a cluster of four cherry blossom or plum blossom motifs at the top, each with five petals and a granulated center representing stamens. Above the blossoms is a small leaf-like finial. The stem or shank is uniquely decorated with further low-relief floral and scrollwork engravings, transitioning from a gnarled tree-branch texture to a more formal geometric pillar shape. In terms of condition, the piece shows significant wear at the bottom edge, where the decorative plating has chipped away to reveal a white/silver-toned base metal, suggesting it may have been snapped off from a longer pin or base. There is surface scratching consistent with age and handling. The style is reminiscent of mid-20th-century Asian revival accessories or contemporary 'steampunk' assembly parts. The craftsmanship is of moderate quality typical of mass-produced decorative hardware rather than high-end fine jewelry, as evidenced by some soft casting lines and the thinness of the plating.