Celluloid Jewelry History Appraisal

Vintage Celluloid or Early Plastic Floral Brooches

This set consists of two vintage costume jewelry brooches featuring miniature floral arrangements. The larger brooch is a dense, circular bouquet measuring approximately 2 inches in diameter, composed of numerous bell-shaped flowers in a vibrant palette including crimson red, royal purple, dusty pink, cream, and navy blue. These flowers are set against a backdrop of deep green serrated leaves. The second, smaller piece is a linear spray brooch featuring delicate pastel-toned flowers in shades of mint green, pale yellow, and soft pink, with one flower suspended on a wire to create movement. Both items appear to be constructed from early plastics, likely celluloid or a similar moldable resin, which was common in the mid-20th century (1930s-1950s). The flowers are attached to thin wire stems, with the smaller brooch showcasing visible wire wrapping at the base finished with a dark maroon thread or tape. Regarding condition, the pieces show aged patina with some accumulation of dust in the crevices of the petal cups. There is a visible fracture or loss on the pale mint flower of the smaller brooch, and the wire stems show some slight bending. The craftsmanship is typical of high-quality mass-produced novelty jewelry from the period, utilizing hand-assembly of molded components to create a realistic three-dimensional effect. No maker's marks are immediately visible, which is common for these types of botanical whimsies.