1940-1950’s Bakelite Tan Dog Basset Hound Pin Brooch by Martha Sleeper Rare Vintage Retro Collectable Cocker Spaniel Galalith Catalin

This is a rare Martha Sleeper floppy eared dog brooch. Made of a type of Bakelite called Galalith or thermoplastic and hand painted with big eyes and leather ears. I usually use the method of semichrome to test as authentic Bakelite but due to the resin coating I can only test with the clink method and it passes as Bakelite. Also looking at the age and marks of the maker it’s age is consistent of 1940-1950s Bakelite. Condition is great, wear consistent of age, I have taken high resolution photos to see details and age. Shipped in a gift box.

Measurements
Length 2”
Width 1”

Martha Sleeper history “While In New York she turned a hobby into a thriving business, finding herself at the forefront of a fashion craze for “gadget jewelry” in the late 1930s. She had designed and manufactured whimsical pieces of costume jewelry for herself - other women saw these pieces and wanted to know where they could obtain a copy. Martha found a company that would manufacture her designs - they soon became available in department stores around the country and Martha generating a very substantial sideline income in addition to her stage work. Many of these pieces were manufactured using the material Bakelite - these pieces are very collectible today and bring very strong prices in jewelry auctions.” - wiki