Modernist Cubist Face Brooch
Vintage Costume Jewelry

Modernist Cubist Face Brooch

This is a vintage modernist brooch crafted from a silver-toned metal, featuring a stylized, abstract representation of a human face in the Cubist tradition. The piece is constructed with an open-work wire frame that defines the outer silhouette, including a prominent C-shaped ear element on the right side. The facial features are rendered through a series of geometric appliqués: a cog-wheel sunburst eye containing a clear faceted rhinestone, triangular plates forming a nose with textured stippling, and curved overlapping discs suggesting a mouth and chin. The metal exhibits varying surface textures, including a hammered or sandblasted finish on the geometric inserts and a twisted rope detail along the upper brow line. Condition-wise, the brooch shows some surface oxidation and verdigris (greenish corrosion) on the lower right interior frame, along with minor pitting consistent with age. The craftsmanship suggests a mid-20th-century artisan or studio piece, likely dating from the 1960s to 1980s. The pin stem is visible horizontally behind the geometric nose structure, secured by a standard rollover safety clasp which appears functional.

Estimated Value

$45 - $85

Basic Information

Category

Vintage Costume Jewelry

Appraised On

January 10, 2026

Estimated Value

$45 - $85

Item Description

This is a vintage modernist brooch crafted from a silver-toned metal, featuring a stylized, abstract representation of a human face in the Cubist tradition. The piece is constructed with an open-work wire frame that defines the outer silhouette, including a prominent C-shaped ear element on the right side. The facial features are rendered through a series of geometric appliqués: a cog-wheel sunburst eye containing a clear faceted rhinestone, triangular plates forming a nose with textured stippling, and curved overlapping discs suggesting a mouth and chin. The metal exhibits varying surface textures, including a hammered or sandblasted finish on the geometric inserts and a twisted rope detail along the upper brow line. Condition-wise, the brooch shows some surface oxidation and verdigris (greenish corrosion) on the lower right interior frame, along with minor pitting consistent with age. The craftsmanship suggests a mid-20th-century artisan or studio piece, likely dating from the 1960s to 1980s. The pin stem is visible horizontally behind the geometric nose structure, secured by a standard rollover safety clasp which appears functional.

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