Category: The ALISON D. GILBERT Blog
Exploring ART & DESIGN and MUSIC | FOOD & HEALING | SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING | RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS | THE ECONOMY & THE ENVIRONMENT |
Exploring ART & DESIGN and MUSIC | FOOD & HEALING | SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING | RAISING SOCIAL AWARENESS | THE ECONOMY & THE ENVIRONMENT |


Earrings without stems and three one layer original pins with stems
The above FPP styles all found on ebay are what I consider diversified not classic FPP.
A collection of two layer giant daisy pins with and without stem from ebay

Three and four layer embellished flower power pins


What will it be? A One-of-a-Kind Lenore Dame Metal Flower Brooch in Gold & Violet



In fact, there is such an abundance of mass produced pins that their identity remains a mystery even to this day. Specifically, there are no identifying marks, no designer names, no known countries of origin, or anything to distinguish or identify them.

Ginsberg Essay ‘In his essay “Demonstration or Spectacle as Example, As Communication,” Ginsberg describes a tactic using peace as a “weapon.” He suggests “masses of flowers – a visual spectacle – especially concentrated on the front lines.”
He continues, “…marchers should bring harmonicas, flutes, recorders, guitars, banjos, and violins.” The Beatnik poet goes on to invite all previously persecuted groups to join the revolution, turning the phrase into a movement of peace, hope, unity, and above all – imagination.’


“Flowers in their hair range from floral head wreaths to slipping a single a dandelion into their groovy headbands (a trend that has resurfaced in fashion today). Bright, floral prints become extremely popular as do floral inspired patches.
“Some hippies even paint the flower symbol on their faces to show their support and dedication to the cause. With its natural and simplistic beauty, it’s not surprising that the flower becomes the ultimate symbol of peace and love for this counterculture and era!”
The Art of Flower Power

Paterfamilias—I Allen Ginsberg’s work to preserve the universe.
By Jane Kramer
August 9, 1968
How Flower Power Worked PREV NEXT By: Cristen Conger
“Although Ginsberg’s essay doesn’t use the exact phrase “flower power,” he was the first to expound on the potency of flowers as “a visual spectacle” to simultaneously disarm opponents and influence thought.”

LarkCrafts.com
An Imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
387 Park Avenue South, NYC, NY 10016



None the less, they appear to have a relationship to flower power pins. In fact early Lenora Dame brooches could be the very next generation of pins in the continuation of a logical design ancestry from anonymous simple then embellished flower power pins to identifiable, early Lenora Dame Studio jewelry.


Close Up Here is an enlargement of these two brooches to reveal a leaf appearing directly before the center of the pin that is unusual but in both these pins. The leaf is light blue on the Lenora Dame brooch on the left and white on the embellished flower pin to the right.




Then over time it transforms into a magnificent piece of jewelry with more monetary than political value. In other words, it starts out as a simple, very affordable pin with one or two layers of petals.







Neither identification nor documentation exist for flower power pin styles in all their varieties before their huge popularity, during their craze in the 1960s and 70s, or even today as collectibles.






In addition this collection of articles chronicles my journey that leads to them, the pins themselves, and the course I take in search of them. Actually, it is the course I am still on to this day.
The Anonymous Pins In fact, I can find nothing in writing that identifies these beauties. For example, what is their place of origin? where they are manufactured? who designed them? Is this information purposely hidden or is it just a coincidence? Is it possible that these answers do not have significance when they are made and it is only now that these questions tug at me to know these answers?
Invitation So, without further ado here is the path I take, where is starts, where it leads me, and where I am now. Be forewarned that it is not a straight line. And it is not even complete. But this is where solving the mystery is today. It by no means is complete yet. So join me on my journey to solving the flower power mystery.
The Be Jeweled Collection of Handbags and Accessories Introduction



All my favorite collectible treasures are featured on line. Sometimes due to their cost and lack of availability, they can only become mine in my dreams.






I have written two blog posts about flower power pins. They are Flower Power Rocks and The Flower Power Mystery. Click on these links to read them.

To the left is an example of one of her early brooches. Notice that there are three layers that alone are in the style of a flower power pin. Then for an added touch of that genre is a flower power pin in the center.

Notice the derivative of the flower power pin with two glass bead flowers and lots of additional glass decoration. For more information about Stanley Hagler N.Y.C., click on the link.



But there are several aspects that disqualify the sum total of layers from being an original socio-political statement.
In other words it is NOT an authentic flower power pin. It is a piece of jewelry, even a work of art. But more about that to come later in this blog post.


B. The second layer is copper with brush strokes of navy blue
C. The third layer is light cobalt blue
D. The fourth layer is a pin in itself composed of gold colored metal and green rhinestones
Also they are either one-of-a-kind or very limited editions. Clearly some hand work has gone into these pieces rather than mass produced items. None the less they are a delightful addition to the world of vintage costume jewelry.

Contact the Lenora Dame Studio
Jewelry
Lenora Dame Website
Facebook
About Us
Shop
Instagram
Pinterest
Etsy
ebay


The reason is that it has gold filigree, decorative stone, is a one of a kind piece, and is signed. Therefore it is an embellishment of an original/classic flower petal ‘flower power pin’ design.




This mystery makes these collectibles unique amongst other types of 20th century costume jewelry and alternative fashion materials that I wrote about in a previous blog post.







Sort of a Hint Other vintage costume jewelry companies did offer credit on their products. In fact this is before during and after the Flower Power rage. But these other brands tend to be more pricey and decorative with rhinestone and other embellishments on them. For example, these companies include Marvella, Trifari, Sarah Coventry, Albert Weiss, Monet, Lisner, Coro, Napier, Lenora Dame, and Vendome.

It is as if they were not created as ‘jewelry’ but rather more like flower ‘badges’ mass produced cheaply in Asia (?) with a socio-political more than artistic intention. This is my conclusion. In conversation with another collector, a seller and the owner of HeyViv!, she tends to concur with this conclusion. What do you think?
Morning Glory Jewelry|Flower Power 60s Enamel Jewelry
Flower Power: The 1960s Cultural Movement that Still Inspire Today
Andy Warhol’s Flower Power in Interview Magazine
The History of Enamel Pins
Collecting Vintage 1960’s Enamel Flower Power Jewelry
Flower Power Fashion: Embracing the Spirit of the 60s Hippie Movement
Ruby Lane: Vintage Begins Here
Flower Power: An Era of Movement and Empowerment
Flower Power: A Nostalgic Journey to the Peaceful Revolution of the 1960s
Floral and Plant Enamel Pins
Pansy v2 Floral Enamel Pin
Pinterest: Vintage Brooches
Vintage 1970s Enamel on Metal FLOWER POWER brooches / pins
