Is This Brooch an unsigned Trifari?
- Thread starter JanBag
- Start date
Distantdetails
Administrator
What a puzzle, since you found the exact design on Jewelrypatents. I do recall once thinking that I had bought a Trifari bracelet, but not seeing any signature. I wrote to the seller, and she told me to look more closely with a loupe. Sure enough, with enough magnification I saw the well-worn signature.
I do believe that no Trifari is unmarked, but you already know that! I'd look one more time with heavy magnification, and then I'd probably let it go as a very close resemblance. If you are selling it, I think it would be fine to mention all of your research!
Good luck, and very best to you.
I do believe that no Trifari is unmarked, but you already know that! I'd look one more time with heavy magnification, and then I'd probably let it go as a very close resemblance. If you are selling it, I think it would be fine to mention all of your research!
Good luck, and very best to you.
Thank you so much for your reply. I have examined the piece once again under strong magnification and unfortunately there is no signature. It is a lovely, high quality piece that will most probably remain a mystery. You input is much appreciated.
Although Trifari advertised that all of their pieces were signed, I have seen a few unsigned pieces that date to the era of your brooch. I have several pieces of unsigned KTF from the late 1930s, and some unsigned earrings from the 1940s with the distinctive earring clips Trifari used.
This is an unsigned KTF dress clip:
Most Trifari pieces from the 1950s are signed BUT they did use hang tags, and I remember reading that they sometimes provided pieces for companies - that might not have been signed. If your brooch was part of a set, it's possible that not every piece was signed - or that it had a hang tag but no signature.
I just did a search of my Trifari pieces and found these Trifari "Dogwood" earrings - that I sold years ago. The photo says unsigned.
If you plan to sell the piece - I would mention your research.
This is an unsigned KTF dress clip:
Most Trifari pieces from the 1950s are signed BUT they did use hang tags, and I remember reading that they sometimes provided pieces for companies - that might not have been signed. If your brooch was part of a set, it's possible that not every piece was signed - or that it had a hang tag but no signature.
I just did a search of my Trifari pieces and found these Trifari "Dogwood" earrings - that I sold years ago. The photo says unsigned.
If you plan to sell the piece - I would mention your research.
Although Trifari advertised that all of their pieces were signed, I have seen a few unsigned pieces that date to the era of your brooch. I have several pieces of unsigned KTF from the late 1930s, and some unsigned earrings from the 1940s with the distinctive earring clips Trifari used.
This is an unsigned KTF dress clip:
Most Trifari pieces from the 1950s are signed BUT they did use hang tags, and I remember reading that they sometimes provided pieces for companies - that might not have been signed. If your brooch was part of a set, it's possible that not every piece was signed - or that it had a hang tag but no signature.
I just did a search of my Trifari pieces and found these Trifari "Dogwood" earrings - that I sold years ago. The photo says unsigned.
If you plan to sell the piece - I would mention your research.
Thank you for the update. I do have one other theory. I live in Rhode Island and grew up in Providence where the Trifari factory was located. Most of our friends and relatives worked in the jewelry industry and some for Trifari. Employees were allowed to purchase pieces at discount and perhaps before they went through the signature process. Samples were also plentiful. These pieces were likely passed down and kept right here in RI. Yes, if that brooch could talk.
Distantdetails
Administrator
I love that, JanBag!! Wouldn't that make a wonderful article--interviewing some of the people who worked there?!