Lea Stein

Léa Stein (born in Paris, 11 February 1936) is a French artist and accessories maker, known for her compressed plastic buttons, brooches and bracelets. She is often hailed as "the most notable and innovative designer of plastic jewellery of the 20th century".

She worked as a dress designer and began making her now famous Jewellery when her husband, Fernand Steinberger, a Plastics Chemist, discovered a process of laminating cellulose acetate to create a unique range of colours & patterns.

Here you will find a collection of both modern and vintage pieces. The condition of each carefully detailed. If you require more photos please let us know.

If you are looking for a particular piece do drop us an email, we may be able to source one: sales@themidgetgem.co.uk

Léa Stein Arched Cat & Ball Brooch - Pink & Navy - NEW
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Léa Stein Arched Cat & Ball Brooch - Pink & Navy - NEW

The beautiful Art Deco design of an arched cat with a ball. 7cm x 4.8cm. Pink marbled cat with a navy blue and gold fan (encased fabric) and a protruding 3-D ball in a gorgeous crimson shade. Lea Stein - Paris impressed into the back of the brooch pin. The condition is new and never worn. 

£85.00
1 in stock
Léa Stein Sax Player Brooch - Navy Blue, Gold, Cream & Fire Red - NEW
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Léa Stein Sax Player Brooch - Navy Blue, Gold, Cream & Fire Red - NEW

The sax player brooch. Her skin is cream pinstripe, with red/brown marbled hair, fire red marbled Saxophone and a stunning blue and gold encased fabric shirt.  A beautiful example. In new condition, never worn though this is a vintage piece. 6 cm x 4cm. Lea Stein impressed into the back of the roll-over pin. 

£125.00
1 in stock
Léa Stein GOUPIL Fox Face Brooch - Black & White - NEW with issue
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Léa Stein GOUPIL Fox Face Brooch - Black & White - NEW with issue

I bought this as new but when I photographed it I noted one of the ears has the tip polished away - clearly done during manufacture and it isn't immediately obvious because of the colour-way. Branded on the back pin. In a lovely mono-chrome palette of black and white. 5.7 cm x 7.0 cm. This is new and in excellent condition. 

£49.00
1 in stock
Léa Stein Scarlett O'Hara Brooch - In Shades of Grey & Blue - NEW Vintage!
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Léa Stein Scarlett O'Hara Brooch - In Shades of Grey & Blue - NEW Vintage!

Scarlett O'Hara. A very special example, she's cream with a sparkly polka dot dress in grey, a two-tone hat with marble brim and a layered and cut-out fan. The fan is a beauty! She really is a beautiful example. In new condition, never worn though this is a vintage piece. 6.8cm x 7.2cm. Lea Stein impressed into the back of the roll-over pin. 

£95.00
1 in stock
Léa Stein RIC Dog Brooch - Pearlised Gold, Black & Multi-Check - NEW Vintage!
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Léa Stein RIC Dog Brooch - Pearlised Gold, Black & Multi-Check - NEW Vintage!

Stunning example of the Ric dog design brooch. In a beautiful pearlised gold with iridescent checks in various bright colours. One of the nicest examples we have seen. In new condition, never worn though this is a vintage piece. 9cm x 5cm. Lea Stein impressed into the back of the roll-over pin. 

Sorry, item is temporarily out of stock
£85.00
Léa Stein Swallow Bird Brooch - Cream & Orange - NEW Vintage
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Léa Stein Swallow Bird Brooch - Cream & Orange - NEW Vintage

A swallow in flight! A cream pinstripe body with layered wings and beak in contrasting tangerine micro-mosaic, and a layered head. Signed V shaped pin. A vintage piece in new condition. Size: 8.3 cm x 2.3 cm approximately.

£85.00
1 in stock
Léa Stein Large 'Elfe' Butterfly Brooch - Green & Pink - NEW Vintage
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Léa Stein Large 'Elfe' Butterfly Brooch - Green & Pink - NEW Vintage

A beautiful example of the large 'Elfe' butterfly brooch from Lea Stein. Lea named this one 'Elfe'. Its outer wings, in turquoise green, are a complex mosaic of opaque and transparent colour. The inner wing is a marbled effect in cerise pink. The body is a 3-D effect with layers of colour. In lovely condition - never worn only displayed.  There may be reflections of light in the picture. Signed V shape pin. Size: 8.5 cm x 7.5 cm.

£125.00
1 in stock
Léa Stein 'Volage' Fairy Brooch - Blue & Silver - NEW Vintage
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Léa Stein 'Volage' Fairy Brooch - Blue & Silver - NEW Vintage

Volage the fairy, wears an encased fabric dress and her wings encase a fine blue net with gold thread arranged in geometric squares. A strawberry blond bob and opaque cream body. In beautiful unworn condition. There may be reflections of light in the picture. Signed V shape pin. Size: 7.8 cm x 7.0 cm approximately.

£135.00
1 in stock
Léa Stein Full Collerette Brooch - Copper, Chocolate & Navy - NEW Vintage
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Léa Stein Full Collerette Brooch - Copper, Chocolate & Navy - NEW Vintage

This is the full-ruff-collar version ( she made one with half a ruff too). In a beautiful colourway of copper, chocolate, navy and white. Lots of detailing with various layered sections, a mixture of metallics, pearls and textures. Excellent condition, never worn only displayed. There may be reflections of light in the picture. Signed V shape pin. Size: 5.3 cm x 5.3 cm approximately.

£105.00
1 in stock

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