The Paintings of Whimsies or Frolic Pins

Lapel whimsies, a novel class of collectible costume jewelry, have garnered a significant following. Nonetheless what are “whimsies?” Merely put, they’re figurals—A time interval that Longcraft of Thomas Prolonged Agency used to clarify its various collections of figurals. The company produced dozens of whimsies or frolic pins together with its customary catalog of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. We will be together with these designs as time permits as an instructional helpful useful resource.

Whereas not all Longcraft jewelry was marked, the company created fairly a couple of pins that had been apparent reproductions of well-known designs. As an example, they produced pins paying homage to Boucher’s “Ballet of Jewels,” a bunch of bijou patented in June 1949, and Coro duette designs from the Nineteen Forties.

Of the myriad of designs produced over this agency’s historic previous, one design has intrigued collectors for a really very long time. Collectors have used various names to clarify the piece that appears as a three-dimensional picture physique or diorama. These things had been intricately hand-wrought, hand-painted, and usually embellished with vibrant jewel-tone rhinestones. The “Cactus Cowboy” was one amongst three “Whimsy” designs talked about in a 1948 business featured in Woman’s Placed on Day-to-day. Two non-picture-framed designs within the an identical line included “The Drummer Boy” and “My Coronary coronary heart’s Calling.” In addition to, an “Indian and Wigwam” design was talked about inside the business nonetheless not showcased.

Carole Tanenbaum, proprietor of Carole Tanenbaum Basic Assortment, these days shared a nautical-themed occasion of a picture-framed lapel whimsy.

Initially, these whimsies had been provided at a wholesale worth of $18.00 per dozen, indicating their affordability and recognition. Nonetheless, within the current day, a single pin from this assortment could also be pretty priceless, ranging in worth from $100 to $345 retail.  Whereas it stays unclear if Longcraft was the one producer of these three-dimensional pins, considerably the diorama pins, the adverts current a kick off point for determining and appreciating these nice and imaginative objects.