Hopper - Vintage Rare Signed 'Phister' Gold Plated Crystal Rhinestone Enamel Easter Bunny Rabbit Brooch (VBR312)

Hopper - Vintage Rare Signed 'Phister' Gold Plated Crystal Rhinestone Enamel Easter Bunny Rabbit Brooch. This wonderful brooch is crafted from gold plate, hallmarked with the makers mark PHISTER, ENT 1996. The brooch features vintage styling, full crisp hallmarks, and quality craftsmanship. This charming brooch is designed as a bow, which showcases lovely detailing, and a textured gold finish. The brooch is attached to a spring ring clasp, so charms can be interchanged. This particular charm is designed as a vintage Easter bunny, which is enamelled a creamy/white colour, red crystal eyes, and gold accents. The brooch has a pin on the back, which locks into place with a rotary locking mechanism. This brooch is a rare piece, because the company did not make an abundance of pieces since they were only manufacturing jewelry from 1996-1998. 

Comments: Rare, charming, and immaculate. 

History: Originally, rhinestones were rock crystals gathered from the river Rhine, hence the name, although some were also found in areas like the Alps (the source of the Rhine). Today the name "rhinestone" applies only to varieties of lead glass known as crystal glass.

Enamel jewelry, with its origins in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Greece boasts a rich history, evolving through the Byzantine Empire, Renaissance, and into modern times, with techniques like cloisonné and champlevé shaping its artistic expression. 

The technology behind gold plated jewelry is credited to Italian chemist Luigi Brugnatelli. In 1805, he discovered the process for electroplating. It was quickly adopted for jewelry styles, with many Victorian jewelry pieces using gold plating.

Made by American company Phister Enterprises, Inc. in 1996-1998, Phister Ent jewelry is extremely rare and can literally be counted on the fingers. However, this very fact made this brand known among collectors of vintage jewelry. In fact, the only design created by Phister Enterprises is the classic gold tone bow brooch pin. The bow was sold in a set of seven charms, made from gold tone alloy and enamel. The cute charms depict the main US holidays – Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Independence Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving. The only thing that the owner of such a set had to do was to change the charms, in accordance with the holiday. Also, the company’s craftsmen did not bypass St. Patrick’s Day, creating a set of clips and pendants in the form of clover, covered with green enamel.
Incorporated in 1996, Phister Enterprises, Inc. was a family business of Kimberley Phister (President) and Rita Sayre Phister. Riverside California based wholesale jewelry and service company Phister Enterprises, Inc. ceased to exist in the early 2000s.The marking on the back of each item includes “Phister Ent”, year of manufacture, and a copyright sign.

Measurements: Brooch 72.50 mm x 66.00 mm 

Stone Size: Crystal Rhinestones 2.00 mm each 

Weight: 25.00 grams 

Condition: Excellent        Note: Pristine 

Origin: America, California 

Date: Dated 1996