Overview
This is a charming mid-century novelty brooch depicting a ring-necked pheasant in mid-flight, featuring vibrant, hand-applied cold enamel paint over a gold-tone base metal. Marked 'KOREA' on the pin mechanism, it represents the post-war boom of colorful, affordable fashion jewelry exported to Western markets.
Story
During the mid-20th century, South Korea emerged as a major hub for producing whimsical, hand-painted novelty jewelry. This pheasant brooch captured the era's love for the great outdoors and sporting motifs, transforming a game bird into a bright, wearable piece of pop art.
Maker / Origin
While the specific workshop remains anonymous, the 'KOREA' stamp points to the bustling export manufacturing sector of Seoul and surrounding areas in the 1960s and 70s. These factories employed skilled local artisans who hand-painted thousands of metal castings daily, creating a massive variety of flora and fauna designs for export.
Condition & Value
The brooch shows moderate wear consistent with age and use. There is noticeable paint chipping and loss on the central wing joint and the tip of the tail feathers, exposing the metal underneath. The pin mechanism on the back is intact and functional.