Vintage Dead Stock Brooch by Theodor Fahrner, Pforzheim ca. 1955

Theodor Fahrner made artists' jewellery affordable because he combined modern forms with democratic materials. He did not create individual pieces for a small elite, as was the case with Lalique or Cartier, but rather the designs were produced in series in silver, decorated with enamel, marcasites and occasionally precious stones. Jewellers and department stores all over Europe sold the jewellery, which Fahrner advertised extensively in journals and magazines: "Fahrner jewellery - designed by the best artists" allowed every woman to participate in a modern life full of beauty. Every year, travelling salesmen with large sample cases presented the new products developed in Pforzheim to local jewellers. One such sample case full of unworn Fahrner jewellery has lain untouched in an attic for the last 40 years or more until it was offered to us. It contained samples of almost every series from about 1919 until the company's dissolution in 1979, most of them marked with a model number or the "Original Fahrner" seal. The present brooch is from this collection. It is therefore unworn and perfectly preserved. The brooch shows itself in the form of intertwined ribbons, whose surfaces are partially hatched. Small marcasites are scattered on them and play with the incident light. The piece of jewellery is made of silver, which has been lightly gilded. This kind of gilding is called "antique gilding" by Fahrner. It has a cool, slightly greenish-gold tone, by which Fahrner jewellery can be easily identified. The brooch was probably made in the 1950s, as it reflects the formal language of that era. A wonderful overview of the wealth of designs can be found in the catalogue "Theodor Fahrner. Schmuck zwischen Avantgarde und Tradition", edited by Brigitte Leonhardt and Dieter Zühlsdorff, Stuttgart 2005. Fahrner jewellery is often collected. Discover all the other pieces of Fahrner jewellery we offer at this site.

Estimate:£211.5

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