Antique brass relief brooch. Replica by Newport Historical society. Metal alloy, bronze plated. 6.3 cm. 1990s

GILTWOOD MASK
This brooch is adapted from a giltwood mask adorning a French made display cabinet in the North Gallery Alcove of the Elms ( 1901 ),
the former Edward J. Berwind summer residence. The mask is a 19th century interpretation of 18th century allegorical masks used as gilded bronze furniture mounts by such master designers as Pierre Gouthiere.
Vintage Museum Replica costume jewelry
Over the past decades, since about the 1970s, it has become a good tradition for large museums to create jewelry. Traditionally, these are replicas of old jewelry, paintings and botanical illustrations from the museum’s funds. Classified as costume jewelry, these pieces have markings of these museums and are highly sought after. So, among the museums – manufacturers of high quality jewelry – MFA (Museum of Fine Arts), MMA (Metropolitan museum of art), NGA (National gallery of Art), VMFA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts), MAD (Museum of Arts and Design), and others. However, the jewelry pieces of other museums are rare, but also highly valued.