Trifari Tm
20th Century American Brooches
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
20th Century American Dangle Earrings
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
People Also Browsed
Early 2000s American Brooches
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Vintage 1980s More Jewelry
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Gold Plate
20th Century Unknown Brooches
Mid-20th Century Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Brooches
20th Century Brooches
20th Century American Retro Brooches
Gold-filled
Mid-20th Century American Baroque Revival Chain Bracelets
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches
Late 20th Century American Retro Brooches
Crystal, Gold, Gold Plate
Vintage 1970s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
18k Gold
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Brooches
Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century Central American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s Italian Romantic Clip-on Earrings
20th Century American Brooches
20th Century American Stud Earrings
20th Century American Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1980s American Retro Clip-on Earrings
Crystal, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Retro Bracelets
20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1980s American Stud Earrings
Trifari for sale on 1stDibs
Costume jewelry maker Trifari is widely loved for its fine craftsmanship and complex designs for necklaces, brooches and other jewelry and accessories.
The company was formed in New York during the early 1920s, when its partners Gustavo Trifari (who descended from a family of jewelers), Leo Krussman and Carl Fishel (business associates in hair-ornament manufacturing) recognized, as other designers during the Art Deco era such as Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had, that fashion trends for affordable jewelry for everyday wear represented an opportunity (and that the popularity of shorter hairstyles didn’t bode well for their haircomb business).
Initially called Trifari, Krussman and Fishel Jewelry (T.K.F.), the trio eventually shortened their brand’s name, at the suggestion of an advertising professional, to Trifari in order to evoke the romance of Gustavo’s native Italy.
The hiring of French designer Alfred Philippe as head designer in 1930 was pivotal to Trifari’s success. A master craftsman who had worked with both Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, Philippe set about establishing the same high-quality standards of materials and craftsmanship in the design of fashion jewelry and trained other Trifari artisans to do the same. Settings were delicate; crystals were hand set; designs, which sometimes featured dazzling floral motifs or exquisite depictions of marine life, were sophisticated and elegant, having both the look and feel of fine jewelry. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower wore a Trifari parure of faux pearls to her husband’s presidential inauguration in 1953 and Trifari glass pearls to his inaugural ball in 1957.
Before retiring in 1968, Philippe created Trifari’s most recognizable designs. In the 1930s, when the company was custom-making accessories for the stars of Broadway musicals, it was the crown motif: These brooches became so often identified with the brand that a crown was eventually incorporated into the trademark. In the 1940s, the “Jelly Bellies” inspired affection as well as knockoffs; these were animals, birds and insects sporting a “belly” of clear Lucite. Clip-Mates were another favorite and a technical marvel — two dress clips that, joined together, created a brooch.
Find a wide range of vintage Trifari jewelry on 1stDibs.