reversed carved lucite hair barrette - is this vintage?

[retro ruth]

I picked this up in a charity shop, as it reminds me of the reversed carved brooches I've been noticing online. I've never seen a hair barrette before though.

Is this an old technique or are they still made? Any idea on date?

TIA

 

[retro ruth]

Actually I've just been reading more on this technique here: http://www.morninggloryantiques.com/JewelChatCarving.html
Sounds like it was most common in 40s/50s but sometimes still done.
I'd still be glad to hear your opinions on this.

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

that is adorable! am also curious to know more about this...

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Great photos, Ruth.

Looks '50s to me, although I have no idea if this particular style is still being made.

 

[Metro Retro Vintage]

I agree -- it looks very 50's. Nice find!

 

[cmpollack]

How wonderful--I've never seen reverse carved lucite used to decorate a barrette before either!

I'd say this is 40s/50s vintage--the barrette mechanism doesn't look at all contemporary. One possible way to pin down date might be to do a little sleuthing into barrette mechanism patents (on Google patents, USPTO, etc) ...

 

[retro ruth]

Thanks everyone. I've just done a little search of patents between 1940 and 1960 but not found anything - I think it would be a long search without a patent number to go on. With your opinions I feel comfortable saying probably 50s. Which I what I was thinking/hoping, but wasn't sure.

Glad you like it! I love it too. And roses in general are good sellers, I find. It was a good piece of thrifting!

 

[Linn]

I would agree with '40's - '50's. Nice find!

I have to tell a little story on myself. I found this wonderful 1940's reverse carved belt buckle several years ago that I thought was Lucite. I wore it as a necklace hanging on a black cord around my neck:

The last time I wore it the cord slipped and it fell on my kitchen tile floor. It was glass........

Linn

 

[cmpollack]

How awful, Linn! That is (was...) a gorgeous piece, and so unusual...

Thank goodness you at least have a picture to enjoy.

 

[retro ruth]

So beautiful, with the bluebirds and everything, what a shame to lose it, but at least you'd captured it on camera, and you enjoyed it for awhile.

Thanks very much for weighing in on my barrette Linn.