Description
RARE Headhunter Brooch in an ivory colored resin with brass chain link earrings and nose ring.
This rare brooch is thought to be part of Joseff’s first commercial productions… It is said that this brooch is dated from 1938.
Joseff of Hollywood was a jewelry company created by Eugene Joseff (1905 – 1948)
This company made costume jewelry for the Hollywood film industry.. he started the company in 1928 and created a metal plating process that helped eliminate the glare caused by studio lighting when shooting films. Joseff later developed a retail line that was sold through jewelry departments of better stores.
It is thought that this ivory colored resin is Tenite, a plastic that was created by Eastman Company in the late 20’s.. however it looks and feels like bakelite.. so I’m not certain. I do know that this ivory resin-like material on this brooch is perfect with a hard surface and sheen. It is said that Tenite actually deteriorates with age, and I see none of that with this brooch.
The brass earrings and nose ring are tarnished with a vintage patina & I have opted to not clean them to keep the vintage appeal.
The back of this brooch has a brass pin back & locking clasp that is in good working order. At first I thought that the clasp was missing the rotating jaw.. however the configuration of the opening where a rotating jaw would go would be blocked from rotating by a piece of metal that is part of the clasp. At any rate, the pin actually snaps into a locking position and is completely secure.
On the back of this brooch is the signature attached brass plate stamped:
JOSEFF
HOLLYWOOD
Measurements:
1-7/8 inches wide
4 inches long
3/4 inches deep
