circa 1940s Mikimoto Akoya Pearl Brooch / Sterling Silver and Japanese Cultured Pearl Brooch / Cultured Pearls
Revered since antiquity as a symbol of purity, power and wealth, pearls have a long history. Roman women wore them to sleep as they believed that they enhanced beauty, Julius Caesar was a great patron, royalty such as Queen Elizabeth I valued them above all other precious gems.
Even in modern history Coco Chanel was never seen without her pearls, wearing them as her signature fashion statement day and night,Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, two of cinema’s most elegant stars, sported pearls frequently; and Princess Diana brought back the pearl choker. And today pearls are set for a comeback with today's fashion influencers such as the Dutchess of Cambridge sporting pearls often.
This brooch is from the 1940s. It features eleven (11) lustrous Akoya Japanese pearls set in sterling silver. The brooch is very well made and is marked with the manufacturer's trademark and symbol for Silver.
World War II devastated the cultured pearl market in Japan. Allied forces occupying Japan after the war were concerned about an illegal cultured pearl trafficking so they actually discouraged the sale of cultured pearls within Japan. To counterbalance this restriction, the Japanese instead sold pearls in military stores frequented by Allied troops. And the Americans came home with pearls! American troops and servicemen bought thousands of pearl jewellery back for wives and girlfriends.
During the war and after World War II, mainly attributed to the hostilities between Japan and other nations of the word at the time; many Mikimoto pieces had their maker's mark removed. This piece has the Mikimoto signature "M in Clam Shell" hallmark and S (to signify sterling) which is typical of the period.
Mikimoto pearl brooches have distinctive Japanese clasps and hinges. Although found on other brooches of Japanese origin it is the easiest thing to look for first. Note the rounded profile or ball shape of both the hinge and the clasp.
Mikimoto pearls are the highest grade of cultured pearls available. Mikimoto pearls were first created by Kokichi Mikimoto in 1893 after years of painstaking research and trials using an implanted core to Akoya oyster shells. The oysters built up layers of nacre creating cultured pearls more quickly than a natural pearl would grow. The same process is still used today by Mikimoto.
It measures a nice big 2" long and 1.5" at it's widest point.
The hallmark is found on the back, it has the M in a clam shell and S.
Item Weight: 7.86 g
