Scottish jewellery by Exquisite
One of the best known range of jewellery by Exquisite of Solihull was the Scottish Jewellery souvenir brooch range
A combination of lucky white heather and/or purple thistles all tied up with the Exquisite trade mark ribbon or bow.
All things Scottish had been made famous and popularized by Queen Victoria. Exquisite made gilt jewellery from 1914 and before moving to Solihull in the fifties, was already making souvenirs from their premises in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. Many of these souvenir brooches were sold in Scotland and were widely available in many small souvenir shops. From the number in Birmingham and other places - I think they were also readily available across the rest of the UK.
So far I have counted at least a dozen different styles of the Scottish brooches. One source confirms that three brooches were registered in 1962. These brooches will have "EXQUISITE" and "REG" with the copy right sign on the back. The design numbers were 905225, 905226 and 905227.
However many of the brooches have "EXQUISITE" on only, Some have Exquisite in script and some are unsigned with a riveted pin fastening - denoting an much earlier date.
More research is still nee
ded to confirm dating and reg numbers to designs.
The brooches were hand enamelled and so not only can many different designs be collected but each will have a slight difference. Some of the brooches have amethyst purple coloured faceted glass stones. Again some are very pale ranging to dark purple in colour
When I am discussing the Scottish brooch range I am only referring to the ones that are enamelled and have heather or thistles, with or without purple glass stones in silver or gold tone metal. Exquisite also produced a range of Scottish themed jewellery very similar to "Miracle" jewellery with faux stones such as turquoise and agate which look quite different. They also produced enamelled Scottish flower brooches as well.
However many of the brooches have "EXQUISITE" on only, Some have Exquisite in script and some are unsigned with a riveted pin fastening - denoting an much earlier date.
More research is still nee
ded to confirm dating and reg numbers to designs.The brooches were hand enamelled and so not only can many different designs be collected but each will have a slight difference. Some of the brooches have amethyst purple coloured faceted glass stones. Again some are very pale ranging to dark purple in colour
When I am discussing the Scottish brooch range I am only referring to the ones that are enamelled and have heather or thistles, with or without purple glass stones in silver or gold tone metal. Exquisite also produced a range of Scottish themed jewellery very similar to "Miracle" jewellery with faux stones such as turquoise and agate which look quite different. They also produced enamelled Scottish flower brooches as well.
