Butterscotch Bakelite Banana Fruit Brooch

Bakelite fruit motif was introduced to the world of Bakelite around 1935. At first brooches were clusters of dangled fruit that hung on plastic coated cotton string. There were oranges, pears, apples, bananas and the most popular of all, cherries, which is why that is mostly all you come across. The earlier pieces were often resin washed to give authenticity to the fruit they were to resemble. That is the case with this scarce banana brooch, with the tree leaves once being green before wearing away.

Most of these stringed pieces have considerable wear. Some collectors have them restrung, or attempt some other form of restoration. In this case it looks like someone tried to re-coat it, but fortunately stopped before it showed on the front side. Of coarse that is a person decision, but I'd always rather keep them as found, which adds to their charm.

This brooch has a total length of 4.75 inches. It has seven bananas that have lovely patina. As was the case with carved Bakelite, the tree leaves were hand carved and polished. Book value estimate $650.