Superb Art Nouveau Gilt & Pink Art Glass Buckle Set

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: Continental Pre 1920: item #588008

The opulence of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire is captured in this rare buckle dating from Czechoslovakia's earliest years of independence, just after World War I. Because it's marked CZECHOSLOV on the fastener, it can't be older than 1918, but it clearly can't be younger than 1920.

This is the lavish sort of jewel we'd expect to see on... Click for details

Antique Arts and Crafts Buckle of Victorian Gothic Form

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: English Pre 1900: item #587921

This is exactly the sort of belt or sash buckle you'd expect to see in a painting by Burne-Jones, Rossetti or other artists of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Obviously it was hand-crafted in the Victorian Gothic Revival period to mimic a medieval jewel -- complete with undulations of the metalwork, witchy faux-prongs that look like talons and four collet-set stones of rich royal purple amethyst glass. Probable dating would be the 1860s or 1870s and most likely it originated in England, altho... Click for details

Medievalist Arts & Crafts Buckle with Emerald Glass

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: English Pre 1900: item #587920

Here's another Gothic Revival buckle worthy of adorning the Victorian beauties in pre-Raphaelite paintings -- and this one's even larger and more elaborate than our other example, also hand-made in the 1860s or 1870s, probably in England.

Characteristic of the style are witchy faux-prongs like talons and metalwork with a rustic look. Her... Click for details

Rare & Fine Tudor (1500s) Pilgrim Badge or Pendant

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry Pre 1700: item #585975

Making pilgrimages was a popular 15th & 16th century pastime, as we know from Chaucer, and those who’d "been there/done that" bought badges to prove it. When pilgrims returned, they proudly wore these fastened to their hats or capes. Examples can be seen in many stained glass windows, drawings and paintings from the era. Besides serving as "proof" of a pilgrimage, they were important to the wearer for personal reasons, evoking the reason for the journey (such as penance, an act of special gratit... Click for details

Rare Medieval St. Anthony Portrait Reliquary 1600s

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: Continental Pre 1700: item #585954

The subject of this fine silver-framed oval miniature portrait reliquary is believed to be Saint Anthony. Dating, we can be sure, is Late Medieval - but whether the bone fragments enclosed under the crystal are relics of the saint is, of course, a matter of faith. Acquired in England from our favorite dealer in fine antiquities, the piece measures about 2" x 1 1/2" - exclusive of jump rings, which add another 1/2" or so and enable it to be worn as a pendant. Naturally, given its a... Click for details

1890s Art Nouveau Lady Portrait Buckle, Clasp or Choker

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry Pre 1900: item #575821

This antique Victorian Art Nouveau buckle from a Philadelphia estate is one of the most remarkable I've ever seen -- not only gorgeous, but in pristine condition after more than 100 years. It can be precisely dated to the 1890s from its patent mark: May 22, 94 (no doubt referring to the latch mechanism).

Apart from traces of age patina t... Click for details

Mother-of-Pearl & Paste 1910 Halley's Comet Brooch

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: American Pre 1920: item #513530

The Arts & Crafts movement and ladies’ magazines inspired busy hands in Late Victorian and Edwardian homes, where moms and daughters crafted trendy jewels and fashion accessories. I'll bet this enchanting antique brooch, which obviously commemorates the dazzling show put on by Halley's Comet, was just such a project -- made by a talented Edwardian lady for herself or as a very special gift. These old pastes, so much brighter than our modern rhinestones, were perfect for a comet jewel and so was ... Click for details

Exciting Art Nouveau Paste and Pot Metal Flower Brooch

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: American Pre 1910: item #505786

If you're looking a brooch to stop everyone dead in their tracks, you've found it. This glittering Art Nouveau monster is absolutely astounding: 3 1/2 inches tall and more than 2 inches wide. It's lavished with vivid, brightly faceted pastes in shades of green, citrine and cognac, as well as the red-orange dominant on the petals of what looks like a tiger lily or parrot tulip. The shapes are so aswirl that the exotic flower seems to be dancing.... Click for details

Enchanting Victorian Bridal White Woven Bead Choker

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: American Pre 1900: item #504277

I keep picturing this 19th century treasure with a Victorian wedding gown, but of course it would look divine with anything. Probably it's survived in such amazing condition because it was made for a bride and then carefully stored away until the next generation's weddings. Teensy-tiny white glass beads, the kind often called "sugar crystals," were strung and intricately braided together to form it. At some time in history, the original fastening -- likely ribbons or a fish-hook clasp -- was ... Click for details

Stunning Victorian Egyptian Revival Art Glass Brooch

Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: Continental Pre 1900: item #491077

Most of us know the discovery of King Tut's tomb in the 1920s led to a craze for Egyptian-styled jewelry. Fewer are aware there were earlier Egyptian crazes (circa 1800 and again in the 1860s, when the Suez Canal opened). Further, when Tut's treasures toured the world once more in the 1970s, it was "deja vu all over again." Because of this, you always have to look *very* carefully at jewels with an Egyptian motif, to determine when they were made. ... Click for details