Mizpah Grouse bird foot brooch

 Mizpah grouse bird foot brooch with an amber glass rhinestone

Picked this vintage grouse foot brooch up at a local car boot sale recently. Haven't seen one in ages that hasn't been damaged with claws missing. Once very popular in the pre 1980s to Victorian period. This is a real birds claw and the birds were bred for game purposes. Hunting this bird for sport and for food was once very popular. The bird's claw was then preserved to use for jewellery. Traditionally wearing this grouse brooch is said to bring you good luck when hunting and was a favourite for wearing as a little reminder of Scotland. 

 

This vintage brooch is in a silver metal and has a large amber faceted rhinestone. The stone is prong set into the end of the jewellery. It has a ring on the bird claw and is stamped "Mizpah" on the reverse with the two heart symbols with an arrow through. Difficult to photograph as the "fur" got in the way. The pin is now a bit wobbly in shape and is fastened under style.

Mizpah was a signature used by the Ward Brother's initially. The designs were brought out by the company who made Miracle jewellery in Birmingham. This company is now under the St Justin's company in Cornwall.

Miracle jewellery | St Justin Jewellery

Miracle jewellery designs now under the ownership of St Justin jewellery

Since 1946, Miracle LTD has been a resident of Birmingham in the UK. But early in 2013, it was announced, that on the retirement of the owner, it had been taken over by the Cornish company St Justin. Both companies produce fine pewter and silver made jewellery in the style of Celtic, Scottish and historical reproductions. So we are showcasing both vintage Miracle jewellery and pre owned St Justin jewellery together. 
Below is a faux agate brooch signed Miracle. Dome shaped with a pewter setting.

  

  Miracle jewellery information 

First produced in Birmingham, England in 1946. It produced the famous Mizpah designs that were first made by the Quarrier Ward and Ward Brothers over 100 years ago. The Mizpah jewellery was set with the purple Bohemian glass that looks like amethyst and glass Cairngorm stones in its yellow-orange colour. Silver made jewellery was also produced in the Miracle, Ward Brothers and W Johnson designs. Handcrafted with engraving and completed with real semi-precious gemstones.

Although it's sad that Birmingham is at the end of an era for Miracle. It is still continuing Ward Brother’s legacy. We are very glad that the company has remained in the UK.

Large clip-on earrings - not in the usual style of Miracle.

 

Miracle stamp under the clip - can be missed at first glance

On this page, we will showcase the Miracle, Mizpah and St Justin jewellery that we have sourced and photographed. We will be leaving them so that you can see the many designs and information.

Mizpah jewellery stamp = 2 hearts with an arrow through. (not to confuse with Mizpah Victorian pieces) 

St Justin jewellery SJC mark used by St Justin early in the companies history and St Justin there after.

Large cartwheel brooch in box with information by St Justin.

Another pewter Celtic brooch in it's original box by St Justin.

Cosmic Celtic brooch by St Justin in pewter.

Pewter Celtic brooch stamped SJC.

Celtic knot brooch stamped SJC.

SJC pewter signature on the reverse of a brooch.

St Justin box with the logo on.

St Justin signature on the back of a jewellery brooch.

Miracle stamp on a brooch below.

Back of the thistle brooch by Miracle.

Amber glass thistle brooch from Miracle - probably from the 2000s.

Red stone and enamel Welsh dragon brooch by Miracle. This brooch was produced in several colours. From the 2000s.

1990s pair of faux agate clip earrings in green circa 1990s.

Unusual cherub brooch by Miracle. In an all pewter metal with dangles. 

Large faux turquoise gem pendant stamped on the reverse Miracle Britain.

Colourful cabochons in this Celtic brooch signed Mizpah.

Faux green agate Celtic cross brooch and pendant by Miracle. 

Art Glass in brown in a garter design pendant necklace by Miracle.

Blue diamante Celtic cross pendant necklace signed Miracle.

Celtic Penannular Brooches

A very popular design in Celtic jewellery is the penannular brooch. One original brooch was found in Ireland and was said to be from the Medieval period in history (6 - 7 AD). It seems that they were poplar in England, Scotland and Ireland during this period. But this shape brooch has been found in the Iron Age, Viking and Roman periods.

Originally the pin could move freely around the ring and was used to fasten cloaks and other loose woven cloth garments.  Unisex brooch that was favored by men on the shoulders to fasten cloaks and by women who wore this just below their neckline and in between their bosom. The pin part is worn facing upwards.

 

Today the penannular brooch is reproduced in one piece and represents the original brooch pin.  Made by many companies with the Mizpah signed ones most found for vintage designer jewellery. Who's designs are now owned by the company Miracle

Great Celtic piece of reproduction jewellery to wear on a coat lapel or a hat. 

Happy New Year 2012 from Jewels and Finery

As 2011 draws to an end, its a time to reflect and plan for the New Year. We have had another fabulous year at Jewels and Finery UK. Sourcing many great pieces of vintage jewellery that we know have gone to good new homes to be worn for special occasions and every day, collected and admired.

Plans are now well in hand for this coming year, new ideas and lines on our website.  Which we hope you will enjoy.

So to all have a Happy New Year, good luck, good health and a prosperous one.


Sue & Mark Jewels and Finery UK

Scottish brooch by Mizpah

Scottish Jewellery - Ptarmigan or Grouse Foot Brooch

Okay so you either like them or thing they are grouse! That is Scottish jewellery Ptarmigan or grouse foot brooches!

Since the Victorian era when Scottish jewellery became popular. The birds foot of the Ptarmigan has been used in the jewellery industry, to produce claw brooches.
Originally worn on kilts, shawls and cloaks - it was prized for good luck especially when on a game hunting trip. Still very collectible vintage jewellery today.
Grouse bird foot brooches can be found in both silver and costume. The silver ones are hall marked and were made by the Ward brothers. (Ideal for dating with the hallmark) The brothers were originally producing jewellery in Scotland but also opened another factory in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, as the popularity was such for their Scottish and other jewellery.
They also produced costume grouse pins under the Mizpah range.

The signature is above with two hearts and an arrow through. Not signed Mizpah on some pieces. Made by Quarrier Ward and the Ward Brothers - the designs now owned by Miracle.
Some brooches are unsigned and may be displayed on just a card.   

The real feet are decorated with Cairngorm stones usually of glass but some are the real gemstone. They can also be found with amethyst coloured stones. Again some of the stones are real amethyst and usually on the silver versions.
Earlier brooches are made with very skinny feet and later versions being fatter. I think the later ones are not real feet but manufactured. Different finishes are also available with either smooth silver or silver tone to a pattern on the jewellery. Still made today by Miracle as still very popular Scottish souvenirs.

Above is a silver ptarmigan grouse foot brooch in metal.

Also was available in just gold tone if you do not want a real foot!

Preserving jewellery in Sold Gallery

Preserving the jewellery that we sell in the Sold Gallery.
I know I mentioned this earlier this week , but just thought to expand the reason. What else to do on a very wet Saturday morning in Solihull?

Over the last 3 years, when we have sold a brooch, necklace or pair of earrings, we have just deleted the photographs and information. This is a shame because, many times we have researched and it may contain relevant information on that piece of jewellery. Maybe it was about the manufacturer, the era or the construction.

Mizpah vintage pixie brooch

  

Wanting to continue to share that information. We have now developed a Sold Gallery. Now once a vintage necklace or an antique brooch is sold we will gradually move it to this Gallery for display.
We hope this will help others to identify vintage jewellery manufacturers and designers. Help date their own antique/vintage/second-hand jewellery. Or just to look at some lovely jewels as I love to do!

Sarah Coventry pineapple brooch - beware that the glass part can be missing and so can be found as available without the pineapple bit online.

Just a quick reminder on how we categorize on Jewels and Finery:

Antique jewellery
Brooches, earrings and other pieces that are a hundred years old or older. This includes Victorian and now Edwardian jewellery.
Vintage jewellery
Generally, the jewellery in this category on the site is genuine necklaces, cufflinks, bracelets and other jewels, that were made between 1910 and the end of the 1980s. Vintage is said to be over 25 years old. However, it is very difficult to date exactly and so we have chosen our timeline for easier and quicker listing.
Second-hand jewellery or pre-owned jewellery
This is more modern jewellery that dates from the 1990s up to the present day. It is all been in someone else's possession previously. Some is worn and some may not be. We do find that many of the brooches, earrings, pendants and accessories have been given as presents. Not being to the new owner's tastes, they are then resold to us. Some have not been out of the boxes.
All our antique, vintage and second-hand jewellery is usually only available in quantities of one. Once sold we may never source the same piece again.
Unlike our last and most recent category:
Vintage Inspired Jewellery
This is a brand new jewellery that has appealed to us. It may look retro or vintage. It may be of a historical design. It may be in gemstones that have taken millions of years to form. But we do have small amounts of each. So if you like one ring, you can also buy it in another colour!
And lastly not forgetting that we do sell earring backs for pierced earrings and pillows and pads for clip-on earrings in earrings accessories.

Here are a few of our latest editions:

Antique fleur di li brooch - Now this is jewellery with a past

These are very pretty resin roses and daisies - vintage floral cameo brooch

Vintage-inspired stretch ring - '50s inspired jewellery

Available in two finishes - silver and antique silver

Gorgeous vintage teardrop rhinestone clip earrings