Russian Hand Painted Floral Brooch

This lovely feminine brooch was made in Russia.  I believe this pin is fairly old, as it features an older style "c" clasp.  It is also signed by the artist, but I was unable to figure out his/her name from the unique signature.  This jewelry is still being made today and is extremely popular, so dating pieces is not very easy. 

This jewelry originated in the villages of Palekh, Kholui, Fedoskino, and Mstera in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with designs stemming from a centuries-old Russian painting style called Zhostovo.  The process of creating this type of pin begins with an artist hand painting in oils on paper-mache (remember, no two items are alike, as they are all done free-hand), then finished with a glossy lacquer.  The Zhostovo painting technique includes bright paints, wide brush strokes, and contrasting shadows.    

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Russian Crafts. Retrieved 5/11/2011 from http://russian-crafts.com/painted-brooches/flower-brooch.html

Z Net. Retrieved 5/11/2011 from http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=SCFPD-17&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1