Gondola Brooch Venezia Charming little Venetian Gondolier Brooch in a painted silvertone alloy. This is typical of a souvenir from the 1950s and has today a nostalgic kitsch appeal. There is some wear to the paint, but the brooch is in fine condition. The brooch measures 1 3/4" wide and 1 1/4" high. The Gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian Lagoon. For centuries gondolas were once the chief means of transportation and most common watercraft within Venice. In modern times the iconic boats still have a role in public transport in the city, serving as traghetti (ferries) over the Grand Canal.