Limoges Brooches

This is my private collection of hand painted Limoges porcelain brooches, cufflinks and buttons. They were made during Victorian times and later.

I saw my first one, an antique, in a case at a Ralph Lauren store in the 1980s. I thought it was the most beautiful thing ever with pink roses. It was $125.00 and I was in my 20s with no way to ever justify buying it. 

So, the hunt began. I combed the antique stores, junk shops and flea markets from California to Brimfield. This was my first find. I was with my best friend, Wendy at an outdoor flea market when I found it. It's still one of my favorites. 

This one broke my heart. It's the only one that I ever found with pansies on it. I was wearing it one day shopping at that very Ralph Lauren store and the pin came unhooked and it crashed to the marble floor shattering in half. I was so devastated! I could not throw it away! I glued it back together. You can tell, but I still love it. 

I found this Art Nouveau piece with bright poppies at Brimfield, on a Wednesday morning standing in May's field in the pouring rain. I was up to my ankles in mud, freezing and wet, but I found my treasure!

I never bought too many figural pieces, but the Native American influence regarding her costume is beautiful to me. I found her on a road trip to Brimfield when we stopped at an antique shop in PA. She's kind of a Victorian Hippie Boho girl. 

This is one of my favorites. I love the delicate flower petals, the raised design and gold accents. The earliest pieces tend to have gold edging and accents. 

 So what do you think of these? I don't buy them anymore to collect unless I see a rare one. I do see good ones for sale. I wonder if anyone collects these anymore.