Here we have a fabulous Lea Stein brooch - A Lady Pin! She is said to have been inspired by the actress Joan Crawford and was designed as a tribute to her in 1968. In common with many of Lea Stein's range it goes under another name too so this pin is also known as 'Carmen'. This is a brand new brooch and it is a superb example of the technique used by Lea Stein in her jewellery - it has lots of layers of Rhodoid. The multi layering is used to great effect on the wavy hair on this lady pin with its 9 sandwich layers of Rhoidoid in stripes of red, black and Ivory. Measuring 5.5 cms by 5 cms at its widest points this brooch uses shades of Salmon Pink, Cream, black, and red. This Lady has a wonderful vibrant salmon pink jacket with black contrasting lapels.. The face is in a natural ivory looking colour with a triangular black eye and a super little ball earring. Lea Stein jewellery has a fascinating history read more here:
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
JEWELLERY DETAILS
Designer or Brand: Lea Stein, Paris
Condition: Excellent - New
Decade: Current
Era: Contemporary Retro
Type: Brooch
Material: Plastic Laminate Rhodoid with a fabric layer
Colours: Pink, Ivory, red, black.