One of the popular Exquisite of Solihull UK (1914 – late 1970s) ranges is the Enamel Leaf range.
The Exquisite factory started in the Birmingham Jewelery Quarter in 1914 and moved to Solihull in the 1950s. In the late 1970s, Exquisite stopped producing jewelry and concentrated on its Myths and Magic figurines.
The Enamel Leaf range is available in brooches and earrings (clip style)
The range has the following sheets represented and their corresponding design number protected by copyright:
vine 914746
Beech 914744
Horse Chestnut 914747
Elm 914737
ivy 914743
Cherry 914736
Hazelnut 914745
Pine 914740
Mountain Ash 914742
Oak 914739
Blackberry 914738
sycamore 914741
The entire range was painted with green and brown enamel as close as possible to the natural color of the individual blades. Being hand painted there are many different looking brooches and earrings available.
The box listing has the leaf range on brooches and earrings only, but there are a few necklaces listed online for sale. These are mostly unsigned pieces. The vine seems to have been the most popular piece of jewelry, as there are so many available on the market today.
The leaves were so popular that Exquisite also produced brooches and other jewelry in silver tones, gold tones, and enameled in many other colors and embellished with marcasite and pearls. The same mold appears to have been used in a variety of finishes.
The leaf series is highly collectible. Some brooches and earrings may have wear to the enamel, but quite a few pieces can still be found in fantastic condition.
Exquisite is a great name to collect in vintage jewelry as there are many different pieces of jewelry available, both signed and unsigned.
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