Fine Jewellery Brooches | Villiers Påske

Brooches – A Lost Art Rediscovered

The most expressive form of jewellery, enjoying a well-deserved revival

For centuries the brooch was the defining jewel, worn to fasten, to signify, to delight. Fallen quietly out of fashion, it is now one of the most sought-after pieces in a considerate wardrobe. Our collection spans Georgian florals to mid-century abstracts, each chosen for its individual character.

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1714 – 1837

Georgian Brooches

Among the rarest of antique brooches. Georgian pieces were made entirely by hand, often set with foul-backed stones, paste, seed pearls or hair work. Extraordinary objects that survive in small numbers, each one a minor miracle of the jeweller’s craft.

ExplorE Georgian Brooches

1837 – 1901

Victorian Brooches

The golden age of the brooch. Victorian jewellers produced an extraordinary range, from mourning pieces in jet and hairwork to exuberant gem-set floral sprays and patriotic motifs. Richly varied, deeply personal and made to the highest standards.

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1901 – 1914

Edwardian Brooches

Celebrated for their delicate elegance and refined craftsmanship, Edwardian brooches were inspired by the light, feminine fashions of the era. These pieces often feature intricate lace-like platinum settings adorned with diamonds, pearls, and fine gemstones. Popular motifs included bows, garlands, flowers and ribbons, reflecting the period’s romantic aesthetic.

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1920 – 1939

Art Deco Brooches

The most glamorous era in brooch history. Art Deco pieces brought bold geometry, striking colour combinations and platinum settings to a form that had previously been dominated by gold. Spectacular dress clips, bar brooches and floral sprays in diamonds and calibré-cut stones.

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Why Wear a Brooch?

The most individual pieces you can wear

A brooch says something no other piece of jewellery quite can. It is chosen, placed and worn with intention – pinned exactly where you want it, moved when the mood changes. It transforms a lapel, a scarf, a bag strap, a hat brim.

Antique brooches in particular carry a weight of making and meaning that modern pieces rarely achieve. Worn today, they feel precisely because they are genuinely old, and genuinely well made.

“A brooch is the only jewel that asks you to make a decision about where you put it. That’s what makes it interesting.”

How To Wear A Brooch

Six places worth trying

The classic position

The Lapel

Left lapel, slightly above the breast pocket. The traditional placement, works with coats, blazers and jackets of every kind. A small brooch here reads as considered; a larger one as a statement.

Practical and beautiful

The Scarf

Pin a brooch to a silk or wool scarf to hold it in place and add a focal point. Victorian and Edwardian brooches are particularly well suited to this, their scale and detail reward close viewing.

The Modern Approach

The Bag

Pinned to the strap or flap of a bag, a brooch travels with you through the day. One of the most visible positions, ideal for a piece with strong graphic appeal or an interesting silhouette.

Draws the Eye upward

The Neckline

Fastened at the centre or one side of a neckline. Works especially well on knitwear and soft blouses. A brooch here frames the face and draws the eye upward in the most flattering way.

An old Tradition Revived

The Hat

Pinned to the band or brim of the hat, one of the oldest traditions in brooch wearing and one of the most striking. A small antique piece on a felt or straw hat is quietly spectacular.

The Collector’s Choice

Clustered Together

Wearing two or three smaller brooches together, grouped on a lapel or shoulder. Mix periods and scales – a Georgian paste piece alongside an Art Deco bar brooch. Confident and completely individual.

Looking for something specific?

Let us help you find the right brooch

Our brooch collection changes regularly, we source from auctions and private collections and are constantly adding new pieces. If you have a particular period, style or budget in mind, we’d love to hear from you.

Brooches also make exceptional gifts. If you’re buying for someone else and would like guidance, please do get in touch

Get in touch

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Brooches as Gifts

A brooch is one of the most personal and memorable gifts you can give. We can help you choose something suited to the recipient’s style and the occasion.

Converting a Brooch

Many clients ask about converting antique brooches to pendants, or adding a pin fitting to a piece that has lost its clasp. We can help make these changes.

Find us at Portobello

Brooches are particularly rewarding to see in person – their scale, texture and detail don’t always come across in photographs. Find us at Portobello Road most Fridays and Saturdays.