Vintage Gold-Tone Maltese Cross Costume Brooch

This item is a vintage costume jewelry brooch, approximately 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter, featuring an ornate architectural or Maltese cross-inspired silhouette. The piece is constructed from a cast base metal with a textured, hammered gold-tone finish on the reverse. Centered within the frame is a distinct cross-shaped cutout. The back reveals a standard base metal pin bar with a rolling safety clasp mechanism, which appears to be a later replacement or a standard mass-production hardware choice rather than an integrated component. The metal exhibits significant surface oxidation, tarnish, and wear to the plating, particularly around the edges and on the pin assembly, showing a dark brown to copper-colored patina. There are no visible maker's marks or signatures, suggesting it was produced by a mid-century boutique or as an unsigned designer piece, likely dating from the 1960s to 1980s. The heavy, irregular texture of the metal and the open-work design reflect an aesthetic common in Brutalist or Revialist costume jewelry trends. Overall condition is fair, with noticeable metal fatigue and finish degradation consistent with age and frequent use.