First off, wow, I am loving the comments on yesterday's post! Seriously, I'm having so much fun reading your responses and visiting your blogs. Keep 'em coming - you guys are awesome.
Up today...
This weekend my parents came to visit, and brought with them a little box that my mom and sister had found in my grandma's things. I was thrilled to see that it was packed full of vintage Italian micro-mosaic jewelry! My grandparents were antique dealers, and since some of the pieces were tagged with prices and most were in individual plastic bags, I'm guessing my grandma bought these to sell, rather than to wear. I'll happily be incorporating them into my wardrobe, though!
A bit of online sleuthing has revealed that souvenir micro-mosaics became popular in Italy in the nineteenth century, when Pompeii and Herculaneum were key stops on the grand tour. Their ancient mosaics inspired these tiny versions. Because it has been produced for so long and in such large numbers, mosaic jewelry is hard to date, but I'm guessing most of my pieces were produced in the 1950s and 1960s. I'm attracted to vintage souvenirs of any kind, so having an instant collection of souvenirs that are so relevant to what I do is really special!
Aren't these colors and styles amazing? The floral motifs apparently belong to the "Florentine" style of micro-mosaic.
Pretty, pretty brooches, earrings, bracelets, and pendants!
I love the "Roma" brooch and pendant. The pendant is definitely the highest quality piece in the collection. The mosaic pieces are so tiny that they are hard to see - incredible!
My favorite piece is this gorgeous pendant. It seems to be on its original chain, which is also lovely. I've been wearing this one non-stop!
This pendant is also lovely, although it needs a little TLC.
I plan on wearing the bracelet in a stack with gold and silver bangles and my Flourish braided leather bracelet.
All of the backs are stamped with "Italy" or "Made in Italy." The brooch in the center has such a pretty stamp that it seems like a shame it's hidden on the back!
Now that I've seen these, I think I'm obsessed! I'd like to learn more about them, and I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open for them when I'm browsing antique stores and thrift shops in the future.
Starting a new collection always makes me happy! Now I officially collect cameras, vintage Japanese stacking mugs, handkerchiefs, and micro-mosaics. What do you collect?
9 comments:
ohhh they are amazing!!! i would love to have one of those necklaces!!! im jelous haha :D
great collection! :D
you collect handkerchiefs?? what kind?? the fabric (vintage kind) ones??
These are just gorgeous! I love all the colors and designs they've got going on. What a wonderful little collection. :)
These are lovely! I collect Buddha's :)
What a great start to a new collection! I don't actively collect anything other than yarn & books (not as in I'm a collector of vintage books, but I just have tons of them...I'm a former editor, a librarian, and I'm married to a historian.). I used to collect swan images--still love the few I've kept. I tried collecting china dolls & perfume bottles when I was younger, but neither phase lasted very long.
Those are stunning! What a lovely way to enjoy your Grandparent's legacy and look amazing while doing it:)
When I was young, I collected ladybugs...I had everything from postcards to socks. It got to the point that people I didn't even know very well would give me things they found with ladybugs. The collection swelled at 54 different pieces before I outgrew the adorable red and black bugs.
Now, I have a few smaller collections of handkerchiefs, vintage family photos, and Madame Alexander dolls.
What a treasure! Those are gorgeous, so special on so many levels :) Especially love the pendants and the little guitar... pin, I'm guessing?
Your collections sound lovely! I have shot glasses from my trips through Europe, but I think I'm done collecting those. I don't think I really collect anything as a hobby, perhaps Harry Potter books in other languages.
Thanks, everyone! I love hearing about all of your collections. Yup, Marysza, I collect vintage fabric hankies. I love picking up any that I find with special prints. I actually use them; it's so much nicer to pull a pretty hankie out of your purse than a wadded up tissue!
these are beautiful. i have a soft spot for anything that looks mosaic-ed. (how does one conjugate "mosaic" anyway?) i got 'instant' collections from my grandma. she gave me her hankies! which i love and her collection of souvenir spoons, which i'm still trying to figure out how to display. there are spoon racks, but when i tried that they looked uninteresting. i'll figure something out!
on my own i began collecting transferware which led me to vernon kilns souvenir plates. i was able to use them on the thanksgiving table this year! this thrilled me so much! i'm a dork!
I also collect micro mosaics. They have a style and beauty all their own. I featured your blog on my Facebook Page title "Micro Mosaics from Italy". You can go directly there by clicking on this link http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.329171380441613.98990.329152500443501&type=1#!/pages/Micro-Mosaics-From-Italy/329152500443501?sk=wall . I would love it if you could like my page and comment or add some of your beautiful pieces to share on my page. Enjoy :)
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