Vintage Signed Crown TRIFARI black & gold swirl enamel brooch made 1955 to 1969

Since the 1920s, Trifari has been one of the most respected and admired producers of costume jewellery in the United States. Founded in 1910 by Gustavo Trifari the company has designed jewellery that’s been worn by countless high-profile clients, from Mamie Eisenhower to Madonna. Gustavo Trifari was the Italian-immigrant son of a Napoli goldsmith, who arrived at Ellis Island in 1904 at the age of 20. In 1910 he founded “Trifari and Trifari” with his uncle. Gustavo’s uncle left the company a few years later, and so Gustavo continued the company under the name of “Trifari.” The success of Trifari, and the reason for its collectibility today, is most often credited to French designer Alfred Philippe, the company’s chief designer from 1930 until 1968. Among Philippe’s countless contributions are the Trifari Crown pins from the late 1930s to the 1950s. The crowns were so popular that Trifari incorporated a crown into its mark in about 1937. Vintage Trifari pieces from this era with this logo stamped on the reverse are referred to as ‘Crown Trifari’.