The Fascinating History of Brooches and Pins

Vintage Brooches

The use of pins to fasten furs, hides, or cloth together is an ancient practice, first using natural thorns or sharp shards of flint or bone. As metal refining became more commonplace in the Bronze Age at roughly 3300 BC, however, metal pins became much more widespread, and pins have been found in all historical eras. In approximately 750 BC Celtic and Viking populations used pins as cloak fasteners, and pins were highly functional through medieval civilizations in Europe, as well as in other cultures around the world. Over time, more pin and brooch designs have become fashionable and stylish, and different jewelry and historical eras all feature some type of pins and brooches.

Pin and Brooch History

Pin and brooches have always been a part of jewelry fashion for both men and women, and the favored styles of these ornaments have shifted with different jewelry trends. During the Renaissance period (1300-1600), for example, elaborate brooches featuring precious gemstones and pearls were popular, particularly in religious shapes or to show religious ranks. In the early 1700s, mourning and memorial brooches were popular, and often featured a deceased loved one’s name and the dates of their birth and death. These brooches could also include a lock hair or other keepsake of the loved one.

In the late 1700s and into the 1800s, more elaborate aigrette brooches were all the rage, featuring real feather plumes that fastened onto hats, veils, or hairstyles for extra flair. This was part of the Georgian era, when such elaborate styles were popular in all types of jewelry.

As the Victorian era evolved in the late 1800s, cameo brooches featuring relief carvings of gods, goddesses, or other figures were a popular trend, as were locket-style pins and brooches similar to mourning brooches. During this time and into the early 1900s, “grand tour” brooches were also popular keepsakes among the social elite who took pride in extended holidays throughout continental Europe, collecting brooches and pins from distinctive destinations to showcase their travels.

Another popular trend during the Edwardian period of the early 1900s was “love” brooches, more romantic designs given by soldiers to the loves they left behind as they entered service during World War I. These brooches often featured lace-like filigree patterns or designs that incorporated bows, ribbons, and swags. In the 1920s and 1930s, pin and brooch fashion evolved with the Art Deco period and featured more abstract, geometric designs with bold pops of color. These accents were popular as dress clips to be fastened to the shoulder or straps of dresses for personalized flair. Geometric and futuristic shapes continued to be popular through the 1950s with mid-century styles.

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Brooches For Women

Today, pins and brooches are available both as stunning jewelry pieces as well as costume jewelry. These accessories come in a nearly limitless array of styles, designs, and sizes, featuring precious gems, pearls, and different metals. Vintage pieces that evoke bygone styles are even more desirable, and pins and brooches can be combined and repositioned to create stunning looks for any occasion. Popular ways to wear pins and brooches include…

• In a hairstyle or attached to a headband, hair clip, or hat

• Along the neckline or on the side of a jacket or blouse

• On the waistline or hip

• Trailing up a sleeve or on the shoulder

• As a pendant

• On a purse or clutch

There is no wrong way to wear a stunning pin or brooch, and different styles can easily be combined for a customized and changeable look. No matter which era each piece evokes or how it is worn, a pin or brooch is sure to be a statement piece for a distinctive and elegant look.