Vintage Hand Carved Genuine Auth. Takahashi Robin Bird Brooch Pin .Signed (K.T.)

This is an original signed Takahashi robin brooch. It is signed with the KT initials. This is said to be made pre 1970s. Read below for more on the history of Takahashi pins, specifically the signed timeline. This bird is a robin. It has reds, turquoise, blacks, whites, yellows. Each bird is hand crafted and painted; therefore, each pin is unique. The legs are made from twisted copper wire and the branch is wood. The back of the brooch is signed (K.T.). The pins in the back are push pins. The pin measures 2 in. x 1 in. This pin is in excellent condition. The Takahashi family were among many Japanese-Americans confined in Poston Camp, AZ after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. While in the camp, they to a craft class where they learned to carve/paint small birds and after 3.5 years release they turned it into a family business that continued for 40 yrs. Yoneguma carved the birds out of white holly wood, When done, Kiyoka painted the birds (using an Audubon bird book for reference) with watercolors using fine camel hair brushes. 10 coats of lacquer were then applied. Some birds created before the 1970s have the initials K.T.; after 1970, the initials K&Y.T. with the date appear. Some are dated without initials. There were copies made in the 1970s; these can most easily be identified by the manner in which the pin was attached. The Takahashi birds use small push pins while the repro pin backs are screwed into the wood.