A Brief History of Brooches

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A Brief History of Brooches

Brooches are fun, fabulous, versatile accessories worn in many cultures around the world. They can be attached to hats, scarves, sweaters, jackets, handbags, and more, and they can be decorated with just about any material. You probably know that brooches have been popular for a long time (you may have seen your grandmother or great-grandmother wear them), but did you know their origins stretch back as far as the Bronze Age? Read on to learn more about these beautiful pieces of jewelry that are still popular today!


As early as the third century B.C., ancient peoples began using metal pins (shaped somewhat like the modern safety pin) called ​fibulae to hold their clothing ​ together. The metal fibulae (singular ​fibula) replaced earlier bone clasps, and they were often ornately decorated and communicated qualities about the wearer, such as identity or ethnicity. Fibulae were used by Romans, Greeks, Celts, and other European peoples. As more methods were invented to hold clothing together, the functional fibulae evolved into purely decorative pins, generally considered brooches. In the Middle Ages, brooches were the most popular kind of jewelry; they were often large and valuable and were often buried with their owners. Some brooches ​ were representative of class, such as the ​enseigne worn by upper-class Italian men on the brims of their hats. Others had social or religious significance, such as mourning brooches worn to commemorate the death of a loved one or pilgrim badges sold or given to visitors at a shrine. Brooches were especially popular during the Victorian era; cameo brooches had already been worn for centuries, but they became a must-have item in the last half of the nineteenth century. Also called portrait brooches, they feature a circular or oval-shaped metal base and a three-dimensional image of a face (usually a saint, a famous world leader, or a Greek or Roman goddess) carved out of shell, glass, or stone. Another popular Victorian trend was to encase a small braid of human hair inside a brooch. Originally this was done as part of the mourning process, but it eventually became popular to make a brooch out of a living loved one's hair as well. Since the early twentieth century, brooches have mostly been worn for fun and fashion, without any further cultural or social significance. They can be made of any kind of metal, encrusted with gemstones and/or decorated with glass, enamel, and other materials. They can be simple geometric shapes, or they can be fairies, bouquets of flowers, or just about any other conceivable image. Copeland Jewelers​ carries a lovely assortment of brooches, and of course, as your ​Austin Texas custom jewelry​ destination, we can design unique brooches for any taste. If you're looking to add some sparkle or flair to any outfit, all you have to do is wear a brooch!


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