Unique Brooches Appraisal

Lot of 3 Vintage Skeleton Key Brooches

This lot consists of three vintage skeleton key brooches, varying in size from 1 3/4” to 2 1/2”. All three pieces exhibit a gold-tone finish, though one key also incorporates silver-tone elements. The brooches are designed as decorative interpretations of antique skeleton keys, each featuring a pin-back clasp mechanism on the reverse for attachment to clothing. The first key, appearing entirely gold-toned, has a rococo-style bow with intricate scrollwork and a simple shaft leading to an ornate bit. The second key is bi-metallic, predominantly silver-tone for the shaft and bit, but with a gold-tone bow. This key's shaft is adorned with a floral or foliate motif in relief, suggesting a more decorative origin. Furthermore, its bit features three horizontally set rectangular red gemstones, possibly garnets or colored glass, enhancing its visual appeal. The most distinctive piece in the collection is the third key, which features a prominent circular setting containing a red intaglio depicting the profile of a Roman emperor. This intaglio is encircled by a gold-tone bezel, adding a touch of classic antiquity to the piece. The body of this key is gold-toned, complementing the intaglio. Given the 'vintage' designation and the design elements such as the intaglio and decorative motifs, these brooches likely date from the mid-20th century. While the overall condition appears good with potential for minor surface wear consistent with age, specific details such as manufacturer's marks or material composition (e.g., gold content vs. plating) are not discernible from the provided images. The craftsmanship suggests commercially produced costume jewelry of reasonable quality for its era.