A playful jewel from the exuberant design spirit of the 1980s.
This charming vintage car brooch captures the silhouette of a classic early motorcar, rendered in rich gold-tone metal and adorned with sparkling crystal rhinestones. The body of the automobile is intricately detailed — from the curved roofline to the decorative wheels — giving the brooch a delightful sense of movement and personality.
 
Rhinestones are set across the roof, doors, wheels and bonnet, creating a constellation of light that animates the piece beautifully when worn.
Found as deadstock from a London warehouse, the brooch has never been previously owned or worn, making it a particularly special find for collectors of vintage costume jewellery.
At 5.5 cm in width, it has a statement presence while remaining elegant and wearable.
Design Details
The brooch depicts a vintage early-20th-century style automobile, an iconic symbol often used in retro jewellery during the 1970s and 1980s.
Notable features include:
• Crystal-set wheels, each designed like a miniature sparkling rosette
• Rhinestone-encrusted roofline and door panels
• A small crystal detail on the front lamp, adding a charming finishing touch
• Textured gold-tone metalwork that enhances the sculptural form of the car
The open window cut-outs and carefully sculpted contours give the brooch a dimensional look, making it feel almost like a miniature golden sculpture.
Styling Suggestions
This brooch lends itself wonderfully to expressive styling.
Classic styling
• On the lapel of a blazer or coat
• On the collar of a crisp white shirt
• Pinned to a cashmere scarf
Creative styling
• On a structured handbag
• On a denim jacket for contrast
• On the pocket of a tailored waistcoat
Because of its whimsical design, it pairs beautifully with minimal outfits, where it becomes the focal point.
Collector’s Value
Pieces like this appeal strongly to collectors of vintage costume jewellery for several reasons:
Deadstock condition
Jewellery that remained unsold in warehouses is increasingly rare.
Figural design
Figural brooches — especially vehicles, animals, and objects — are highly collectible.
1980s vintage aesthetic
The bold gold tone and rhinestone embellishment are quintessentially 1980s.
Conversation piece
A brooch like this inevitably invites curiosity and compliments.
 
Provenance
These earrings come from a remarkable discovery — deadstock from a historic London jewellery warehouse that closed its doors in the late 1980s. Decades later, the warehouse was rediscovered and reopened, revealing untouched vintage inventory preserved exactly as it was when the business ceased operations.
Today, this archive supplies rare pieces to film and production houses such as Bridgerton, Joan, and other major costume productions, alongside a select circle of vintage dealers.
To encounter such pieces in unworn condition after more than four decades is exceptionally rare.
 
Era: 1980s
Condition: Deadstock (never worn, old warehouse stock)
Material: Gold-tone metal with crystal rhinestones
Measurements: 5.5 cm × 3 cm