kiwipaul
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 21, 2013
- Messages
- 195
I'm sure Mikimoto fanciers and traders would find it useful to see a selection of Mikimoto pieces. I've often wanted to access a database of Mikimoto necklace clasps with dating references so I can make a judgement on the age and genuineness of pieces I come across.
I'll start the ball rolling with this string of 106 x 6.00 to 5.6mm Opera length (73cm - 29in) Mikimoto pearls with a lovely twist, they have a very unusual Mikimoto enhancer.
They're boxed by B.P. de Silva of Singapore, who were Mikimoto agents in the mid 1950's and later. I would date this clasp style to the 1960's.
The very versatile Mikimoto Brooch / Clip-on Knot / Enhancer is a total treat, I think it takes this necklace to another level, and I'll talk a bit more about these enhancer brooches after the pics.
Most times I go to to the usual jewelry hunting grounds, I see silver and cultured pearl brooches/pins. These were a favorite accessory with a string of pearls from the 50's to 70's. Now they're totally out of fashion and hence Grandma's brooch gets discarded to the thrift shop. When I check brooches maybe 1 in 20 are Mikimoto.
Amongst those Mikimotos, very rarely you'll find a true enhancer. It's not always obvious because at first glance they usually look just like a brooch.
An elderly lady told me a fashion sprung up in the 60's of clipping your pearl brooch to your string of pearls, this was called "accessorizing".
In our part of the world most luxury goods were bought during shopping trips to Singapore and Hong Kong. As people purchased their pearls and brooch together and tried fitting the brooch to the pearls, the Asian merchants saw the opportunity, and either modified brooches themselves, or influenced Mikimoto to make special lines to suit.
I believe this is one such "Mikimoto special". The hook at the top of the brooch back, (that the spring ring attaches to) is original, so it seems the whole set-up was intentional (and not a later modification). It is very ingenious, and lot more than just a brooch. Luckily the seller had no idea what it was!
Look forward to seeing other peoples Mikis!
I'll start the ball rolling with this string of 106 x 6.00 to 5.6mm Opera length (73cm - 29in) Mikimoto pearls with a lovely twist, they have a very unusual Mikimoto enhancer.
They're boxed by B.P. de Silva of Singapore, who were Mikimoto agents in the mid 1950's and later. I would date this clasp style to the 1960's.
The very versatile Mikimoto Brooch / Clip-on Knot / Enhancer is a total treat, I think it takes this necklace to another level, and I'll talk a bit more about these enhancer brooches after the pics.
Most times I go to to the usual jewelry hunting grounds, I see silver and cultured pearl brooches/pins. These were a favorite accessory with a string of pearls from the 50's to 70's. Now they're totally out of fashion and hence Grandma's brooch gets discarded to the thrift shop. When I check brooches maybe 1 in 20 are Mikimoto.
Amongst those Mikimotos, very rarely you'll find a true enhancer. It's not always obvious because at first glance they usually look just like a brooch.
An elderly lady told me a fashion sprung up in the 60's of clipping your pearl brooch to your string of pearls, this was called "accessorizing".
In our part of the world most luxury goods were bought during shopping trips to Singapore and Hong Kong. As people purchased their pearls and brooch together and tried fitting the brooch to the pearls, the Asian merchants saw the opportunity, and either modified brooches themselves, or influenced Mikimoto to make special lines to suit.
I believe this is one such "Mikimoto special". The hook at the top of the brooch back, (that the spring ring attaches to) is original, so it seems the whole set-up was intentional (and not a later modification). It is very ingenious, and lot more than just a brooch. Luckily the seller had no idea what it was!
Look forward to seeing other peoples Mikis!
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