Grape Cluster Brooch Appraisal

Vintage Grape Cluster Costume Brooch

This is a mid-century style costume jewelry brooch designed in the shape of a cluster of grapes. The piece is constructed from a gold-toned base metal, likely brass or a plated alloy, featuring a textured gold leaf at the top left and a curly vine motif on the right. The 'grapes' are represented by seven circular, domed cabochons made of opaque lucite or thermoset plastic. The color palette is vibrant, utilizing four yellow and three lime green cabochons. Each cabochon is secured in a bezel-like circular frame that is part of the overall cast metal structure. The leaf shows fine veining detail, characteristic of mid-20th-century botanical jewelry styles. Transitioning to condition, the piece shows visible age-related wear; there is noticeable pitting and plating loss along the gold-colored rims of the circular settings, revealing a darker base metal underneath. Some green oxidation or verdigris is visible in the recessed areas where the cabochons meet the metal frame. The plastic inserts appear largely intact but may have light surface scratches consistent with use. Based on the materials and aesthetic, this piece likely dates from the 1950s to the 1960s, a period when fruit-themed costume jewelry was highly fashionable. The craftsmanship is typical of mass-produced collectible costume jewelry of that era.