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SOLD An Egyptian Cat Brooch by Lea Stein of Paris - Pink pearl
A lovely bright pink laminate has been used for the front of this Cat Brooch with contrasting Ivorine for the eyes and ear details. It is in a strong vibrant colour of various pink tones, very bright and beautiful with great depth and lustre. Traditionally this Lea Stein design is known as the 'Egyptian' cat and is a slim and stately feline with a charming curved tail. A real thoroughbred of a pussycat and she knows it! It is a little larger in size than Lea Stein's other Cat designs. This particular example has a really subtle cross hatched tile effect as it’s pattern. Bold and striking this is a brooch that will delight! This celluloid acetate brooch measures almost 4 ins at its tallest ( ear tip to tail) and 1.5 ins at its widest parts. It has the traditional Lea Stein signed white metal pin back with a roll-over type fastener. The reverse of the brooch is in a textured finish which reminds me of lava rock, black in colour. Ivory coloured inset panels are visible where the eyes and ears are positioned. The piece is signed - 'Lea Stein, Paris'. This is a contemporary design from Lea Stein who is famed for her jewellery, particularly her animal designs which have featured cats, foxes, dogs, birds and many other things over her history.
Now for that history -
LEA STEIN was born in Paris in 1931 and worked as a dress designer. She began making her now famous Jewellery when her husband, Fernand Steinberger, ( a Plastics Chemist ) discovered a process of laminating cellulose acetate to create a unique range of colours & patterns.
Buttons for her frocks were their first products; followed by brooches, bangles and earrings. The factory was forced to close in the 1980’s but has since re-opened much to the relief of costume jewellery collectors and Lea Stein fans. Lea Stein loves to produce designs based on animals and flowers. Now she is quite an elderly lady but still introduces a couple of new designs each year.
Each brooch has the trademark ‘V’ shaped pin on the back and is signed: ‘LEA STEIN PARIS’. The manufacturing process used means that no two pieces are exactly alike. The fabulous designs, the ease of wearing and their quirky appeal are just some of the reasons why they are so collected around the world today.
JEWELLERY DETAILS
Designer or Brand: Lea Stein, Paris
Condition: Excellent - New
Decade: Current
Era: Contemporary Retro
Subject: Cat, Cats, Egyptian Cat
Type: Brooch, Pin
Material: Plastic Laminate Rhodoid
Colours: Pink and Ivory
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