In 1939 Lucille Ball starred in Panama Lady an RKO film about a nightclub girl who gets involved with an oil rigger played by Allan Lane (he would come to be the voice of Mr. Ed). For the publicity shots of the movie Lucille wore this ornate, door knocker-style brooch with simulated amethysts by Joseff of Hollywood.
Eugene Joseff was the premier costume jeweler during Hollywood’s golden age. He developed a matte metal finish for his jewelry which minimized the glare from lighting. Their custom jewels were designed, manufactured and rented to movie studios and can be seen in nearly every production from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.