Zina Sherman Vintage Sterling Silver Jester Joker Brooch Pin
A wonderfully expressive figural brooch, this vintage sterling silver pin depicts the laughing face of a jester or clown peering out from a deeply ruffled collar. The sculptural relief is the centerpiece: a rounded, bald-capped head with heavy-lidded eyes, a broad nose, and a wide grinning mouth, all modeled with surprising depth and personality. Beneath the chin, a generous scalloped ruff fans outward in undulating folds, framing the face and giving the piece its theatrical, commedia dell'arte character. The design recalls mid-century novelty and character jewelry in the manner attributed to makers such as Zina Sherman, prized for whimsical, story-telling subjects.
Cast in solid sterling, the brooch carries genuine weight and dimension rather than the flatness of stamped costume work. The high points—the dome of the head, the brow, the nose, and the crests of the ruffled collar—glow with bright polished silver, while the recesses retain a deep, near-black oxidized patina. This dramatic light-and-dark contrast is intentional and flattering, throwing the facial features and the rhythmic folds of the collar into bold relief and enhancing the slightly mischievous, slightly melancholy expression so characteristic of the Pierrot tradition.
Condition is consistent with an enjoyed vintage piece: the rich patina has settled naturally into the crevices, and the raised areas show the soft sheen of age and handling. Minor surface wear and tarnish are present but add to the antique appeal; the relief remains crisp and the detail fully legible. The pin back is not visible in this view but the form is clearly intended as a wearable brooch.
Collectors of figural, theatrical, and character jewelry will find this jester especially appealing—a conversation piece with sculptural artistry, strong silver content, and the timeless charm of the smiling-clown motif that looks equally at home on a lapel, scarf, or display.
At Danny's Vintage Watches, we rigorously authenticate and inspect every watch to guarantee both its authenticity and exceptional quality. Your complete satisfaction is our utmost priority. We are dedicated to guiding you to the ideal timepiece that meets your desires. Should you have any inquiries, our team is ready to provide swift and comprehensive assistance.
Our Guarantee:
- Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
- We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
- The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.
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What Our Clients Say About Us
I knew I was gonna like Danny, based on his name, but nothing could’ve prepared me for how great of an experience this was. He had the most beautiful 70s Seamaster Cosmic on his website and I was set to be married 2 days later - I arranged to buy it but before leaving we both realized it needed to be serviced. I panicked, because I was literally buying this for my wedding, and Danny being the legend he is, loaned me a nearly identical Seamaster to make sure I could get through the event Never have I had someone go so above and beyond for me, especially while purchasing one of the lesser priced items in their inventory. He serviced my watch and exchanged it with me after the wedding on a super fast turnaround timeline. I would sincerely recommend you visit this guy, you will not be disappointed Edit: adding a pic of the loaner (two tone) and the owner (crosshair)
Great service and shop. Danny and his team were incredibly accommodating, professional, and kind. Great selection of vintage watches. Their store is the hidden gem in the diamond district.
This was my first real luxury watch purchase, a Rolex 15200 Date 34mm, I own Tissots and a Laco, but those are entry level luxury watches. I found Danny’s Vintage Watches online, and had great feedback both on Google, Chrono24 and the Reddit watch community. So decided to give him a shot as buying online can be a crap shoot. Ordered Monday night, was at my doorstep Friday morning. Despite the watch being over 30 years old, serial number says it’s from 91, the watch looked new. Didn’t come with box or papers, and was shipped in a plastic sleeve wrapped in bubble wrap. Danny was always available to answer questions. I’ll be buying from Danny again for the next purchase…saw a couple of Speedmasters on his site I liked….
Can't recommend Danny's vintage watches enough!!! My first Omega ever and im in love have been wearing every day since I purchased it. Danny's shop is a must visit if you are in NYC looking for a watch!!!