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Girl Clown brooch - Petrouchka Pin by Lea Stein Paris inspired by 1950s film “La Strada”
This clown girl brooch is a less seen design from the famous Paris workshop of Lea Stein. Her name is Petrouchka and she is a portrait inspired by Gelsomina, the female clown from the 1950s movie "La Strada." Here she is with her battered hat, distinct eyelashes, wayward hair, red nose and a sweet smile. It was an inspired, but tragic film and this little portrait brooch of the heroine from Lea Stein is also special and rare. Dating, I think, to the early 2000’s this is a very lovely brooch and a desirable collectors piece. Measuring 2.25 inches by 2 inches at its widest and tallest parts the brooch is assembled in many layers and assorted laminates. We have the black hat with its orangey yellow bow, a neck bow in the same colour but with deeper orange patterns resembling checks. The hair is rich, red as is most of the wide collar; but at the very outer edge of this collar is a red border with tiny silver sparkling stars. The face is Ivorians cream, the eyes and eyelashes painted in black and the smiling lips also in shiny red. The nose has a deep red coral tone and is applied as a dome.
This beauty has the white metal ‘v’ shaped pin with roll over clasp to the reverse with the Lea Stein signature trade mark and the word - Paris on it. She is offered in excellent condition.
LEA STEIN was born in Paris in 1931 and worked as a dress designer. She began making her now famous Jewellery when her husband, Fernand Steinberger, ( a Plastics Chemist ) discovered a process of laminating cellulose acetate to create a unique range of colours & patterns.Buttons for her frocks were their first products; followed by brooches, bangles and earrings. The factory was forced to close in the 1980’s but has since re-opened much to the relief of costume jewellery collectors and Lea Stein fans. Lea Stein loves to produce designs based on animals and flowers. Now she is quite an elderly lady but still introduces a couple of new designs each year.
Each brooch has the trademark ‘V’ shaped pin on the back and is signed: ‘LEA STEIN PARIS’. The manufacturing process used means that no two pieces are exactly alike. The fabulous designs, the ease of wearing and their quirky appeal are just some of the reasons why they are so collected around the world today.
JEWELLERY DETAILS
Designer or Brand: Lea Stein, Paris
Condition: Excellent - New
Decade:2000s
Era: Retro Style
Subject: Girl Clown, Gelsomina, - the1950s movie “La Strada”
Type: Brooch
Material: Plastic Laminate Rhodoid
Colours: Cream, Black, Red and Orange
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