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View all items from The New York City, Madison Avenue Collection: Fine Art, Fashion & Antiques sale
Early 20th Century Joseff of Hollywood Bulldog Brooches
Item Details
| Brand/Designer: | Joseff of Hollywood |
| Style: | Vintage, 1930s, 1940s |
| Materials: | Metal |
| Brooch Closure Type: | Locking C-Clasp |
| Hallmarks: | JOSEFF HOLLYWOOD, JOSEFF (partial) |
| Additional Information: | In the late 1920s, Eugene Joseff (1905–48) left his advertising career in the Midwest and moved to Los Angeles, drawn by the promise of opportunity in the booming motion-picture industry. His natural charisma quickly led him to connect with famed costume designer Walter Plunkett, who encouraged Joseff to create jewelry for Hollywood films. With a background in metalwork from an early apprenticeship, Joseff began crafting jewelry from his Sunset Boulevard garage. Joseff’s innovation was not limited to design; he developed a signature matte metal finish that reduced glare under the intense studio lights, making his pieces camera-ready. As his reputation grew, Joseff became an invaluable resource to costume designers, amassing a reference library on historical styles that allowed him to design with exceptional authenticity. Under the brand Joseff of Hollywood, he became the film industry’s foremost costume jeweler, crafting and renting intricate pieces for leading actresses of the era, including Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express, Greta Garbo in Camille, and Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind. His unique artistry and dedication to historical accuracy made him a true icon in Hollywood’s golden age. |
Condition
- verdigris.
- This item has been evaluated using industry-standard testing to ensure metal content and accuracy. Weights and measurements are approximate, and weights are inclusive of all materials.
- Pre-owned jewelry and watches may have minor markings/imperfections throughout and may have been modified from their original retail condition.
- While we represent items accurately on our site to the best of our ability, the color calibration of computer monitors can vary, causing colors to appear slightly different from one monitor to another. Due to this, please note that precise color representation of metal and gemstones is not always possible.
Item #
ITMGN74009
