Vintage Celluloid Flower Brooch, 1940's

Charming Vintage Celluloid Flower Brooch. Of domed, circular design, the cream celluloid with raised daises and roses, hand touched with red, blue, green and yellow paint. Diameter 35mm.

Vintage jewellery using celluloid dates to about 1900, but it was very popular during the 40's and the Art Deco period. Celluloid is a highly flammable early vintage plastic which contains camphor. Originally developed in the 1850s in England by John Wesley Hyatt, Celluloid was one of the first plastics to be widely used in making jewellery. Common motifs for celluloid jewellery were highly carved designs with floral and foliate motifs. It was regularly used in brooches and dress clips during the early 20th century.  

Condition: Very good vintage condition. No cracks, splits or chips. Pin firmly secured.

Tip for Identifying Celluloid: Place it under hot water for a short time, and then smell it. Or rub vigorously with your finger or a cloth and again smell it. Celluloid smells like camphor or mothballs.