Bronze brooches are some of the earliest brooches found. The Romans and Vikings would use them to pin garments. Bronze is ideal for enameling and engraving and many jewelry makers have created miniature works of art in the form of brooches throughout history.
Below are some examples and price guides of bronze brooches including a bronze penannular brooch and a Claude Lalanne brooch in the form of an apple.
A BRONZE PENANNULAR BROOCH, 18TH CENTURY
Of open circular form decorated with an engraved star, 75mm diameter, engraved ownership initials SI to the reverse
Sold for £1,657.50 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2022
CLAUDE LALANNE (1925-2019)
‘Pomme-Bouche’ brooch, Arthus-Bertrand edition, circa 1990
Patinated bronze / patinated bronze
4 x 4 cm / 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 in
Monogrammed CL, signed LALANNE and bearing the mark from the publisher AB PARIS on the reverse
Sold for €4,032 at Christie’s in 2022
Dorothy Dehner
American, 1901-1994
Untitled Brooch, 1977
Signed, dated and inscribed Helena from Dorothy/1977
Bronze with metal pin and fastener
1 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 1/4 inches (4.4 x 6.3 x 0.6 cm)
Sold for $2,520 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022
Viking Age Tortoise Brooch Pair
9th-12th century A.D. A matched pair of bronze tortoise brooches, each a domed and slightly keeled body with stepped flange rim, dense pattern of low-relief moulded detail including facing figures with pellet eyes; transverse mounting bar and catch to the reverse with loop for attachment of a swag of beads; chain loop to one and short chain to the other.
Sold for £1,000 at TimeLine Auctions Ltd. in 2022
Francois-Xavier Lalanne “Mouton” Bronze Brooch
Artist/Designer; Manufacturer: Francois-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008); Arthus Bertrand
Marking(s); notes: signed, marking(s)
Country of origin; materials: French; bronze, enamel
Dimensions (H, W, D): 1″h, 1.25″w
Sold for US$900 at Palm Beach Modern Auctions in 2022
