signed VENDOME
after 1944
measures 6 cm

E. Aggelopoulou Collection

Frivolous Fashion, Fabulous Faux, A century of costume jewelry from the collection of E. Angelopoulou, 1880-1980, Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, Athens, 15th Oct 2008-20th Jan 2009

Frivolous Fashion, Fabulous Faux, A century of costume jewelry from the collection of E. Angelopoulou, 1880-1980, Athens 2008, page 88, no 13 (listed and illustrated)

This bouquet of stylized floral forms uses iridescent rhinestones known as aurora or lumen borealis. The rhinestones are treated with metals to produce a coloristic effect named after the natural phenomenon known as 'northern lights', a greenish or faint red glow observed in the night sky, particularly in the polar zone. Aurora Borealis rhinestone jewelry was popular already in the 1940s and 1950s. This brooch is marked 'Vendome', a hallmark used by the Coro Company between 1944 and 1970.