Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
This charming costume jewelry brooch features a playful, stylized walking kitten cast in gold-tone base metal with hand-applied black and brushstroke-white enamel patterning. Designed with embedded rhinestone or molded glass eyes and a rolling safety pin clasp, it captures the whimsical mid-century tradition of animal novelty pins.
Story
Mid-century jewelers turned everyday pets into wearable art. Cast in gleaming gold tone and hand-painted, novelty cat brooches like this brought playful personality to coats and lapels across America.
Maker / Origin
While unsigned, novelty animal brooches in this genre were popularized by major costume jewelry houses like Coro, Boucher, and later Gerry's and JJ (Jonette Jewelry), as well as widespread boutique accessory makers throughout the 1960s through 1980s.
Condition & Value
Good vintage condition. Light surface rubbing and minor plating wear on high points; enamel appears largely intact with bright gold-tone plating remaining on the face. Clasp is intact.
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Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.