1942 Crown Trifari Alfred Philippe "Big Ming Bat" Enamel Brooch
United States · Gold Plate, Enamel, Crystal Rhinestone
$4,495.95
- Maker
- Crown Trifari · Alfred Philippe
- Origin
- United States
- Era
- Crown Trifari · Ming Collection · 1942
- Materials
- Gold Plate, Enamel, Crystal Rhinestone
- Condition
- Excellent vintage
- Provenance
- Designed by Alfred Philippe for Crown Trifari's Ming collection, 1942. Published in the Brunialtis' 'American Costume Jewelry Vol. 2,' page 126, with their highest rating of 5 stars out of 5. Marked Crown Trifari with Pat. Pend.; design patent 131,430, granted 1942.
On this piece
From the Ming collection, Trifari's "tribute to elegant Chinese inspiration" as Women's Wear Daily described it, comes Alfred Philippe's Big Ming Bat of 1942: gold-plated, enameled, and large enough to be the only thing anyone notices. Philippe built it dimensional rather than flat, which is why it still reads as sculpture rather than ornament. The brooch appears in the Brunialtis' American Costume Jewelry Vol. 2 on page 126 and carries their highest rating, five stars out of five. It is marked Crown Trifari with Pat. Pend., the design having received patent number 131,430 in 1942, and measures 2 7/8 inches wide by 3 1/8 inches tall. It is substantial enough to want a sturdy fabric. Excellent vintage condition, from one of the most renowned collections the house ever produced.