A sterling silver hand wrought brooch with a turquoise stone in a floral design by the noted Arts and Crafts jeweler, Mary Gage.
The brooch measures 1 1/8" in diameter and 1 1/8" high. Closes with a secure rolling clasp. Has a warm patina. Marked Mary Gage Sterling under one side of the clasp on the back. In a design with lots of tendrils that she is known for.
Has a very hand made feel, warm patina and organic design. Fine example of Arts and Crafts period metal work.
A wonderful vintage large copper and brass pendant depicting an acrobat by Ex-pat Ken Beldin, who lived in Tenencingo, Mexico and made jewelry and sculptures from 1940 through the 1960s. Suspended from leather cords.
The pendant measures 4" across and 3" tall. Has blue and green crushed stone inlay in the body and the small ball he is jumping over...
Caricaturesque in the most endearing, spirit-lifting way this vintage Mexican silver fish brooch will put a smile on your face no matter rain or shine! Executed in confident repoussage which adds sculpturality and drama to a highly detailed body, it has a cheerful amethyst eye and thick, exaggerated lips. It looks to me as if it's singing down there in the deep - I can almost see tiny air bubbles coming out of its mouth. Measuring 2 3/4" long by 7/8" wide the brooch weighs 12.6 grams...
This fascinating reliquary locket depicts a saint, probably St. Peter, holding a key (to the church? Or perhaps to heaven?), with a dove in the background. On the other side is a photograph of an ecclesiastical-looking person. It contains a touched relic (a bit of ribbon which has been touched to a saint’s bone or something worn by a saint); a tiny metal medal with Mary on one side, saying "Mary conceived without sin” and more Christian imagery on the other; and a wisp of cotton...
There are not many cases in which "massive" is an understatement in the description of a piece of jewelry and even though Mexican silver is in general bold and beautiful, bracelets like the one presented here are worthy of special mention! Green dyed calcite was often used by the early maestros in Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance yet here the carved central "mask" is of monumental proportions...
A pair of pierced Mid Century Modern vintage sterling silver earrings with satin finish and contrasting oxidized areas. Opposites so frame the face when worn.
The earrings measure 3/4" at the widest and 1 3/4" tall including the hooks. Marked sterling multiple times on the back of each one.
They are in fine condition, with very minor surface scratches and some tarnish.
Lots of movement when worn...
This serene lady is shown with lotuses or water lilies in her hair...
A sterling silver abstract brooch by the MCM jeweler and sculpter, Joseph Skinger, (1911-1967). He was active in Vermont in the 1950s and 60s, working primarily in silver. Known for his modernist 'Slalom' ring.
This brooch measures 2 1/8" long and 1" at the widest. Marked Sterling Skinger.
This could also be worn as a pendant with a chain or cord laced through the curled top as shown.
In fine condition. There is a very slight bend near the clasp, probably done during production...
This heavily engraved silver pin is from the estate of Helen Aman, who escaped from Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution to settle in California. It was one of the jewels she brought with her from her childhood. It consists of a bell (with a clapper – but it doesn’t actually make any noise) dangling from an angled bar. Marked 84 for 875 silver, it also has a partial city mark, which we believe is for Moscow (which would make sense, given her history)...
So-called "chain mail" jewelry is not uncommon in the world of vintage Mexican silver. One can find them in all forms, with or without stones, and in all widths, signed by known maestros and by less-celebrated makers as well. There is something very slick about this design, its interwoven "mesh" inhabiting quite comfortably both the Art Deco and early modernist worlds. The necklace at hand is an example of the narrower versions but very well made and with good weight to it...
This is a spectacular vintage hand wrought sterling silver brooch by the well known Boston silversmith, Ella L. Cone. Looks like a surreal silhouette.
Measures 4 3/8" high and 1 5/8" at the widest. Roll over clasp holds securely. Marked Sterling, Hand ELC Made on the back. Has a little tarnish and minor surface scratches.
Reminds us of the surreal pieces by Paul Lobel and Ed Wiener.
Well made, fine quality. The best piece of jewelry by this artist that we have ever encountered.
This interesting fob is the setting for a sterling coin. It is a Prussian 2 Mark coin. On one side is the face of Friedrich (presumably) and his wife, a Maltese cross, and the words “FRIEDRICH * I * 1701 * WILHELM * II * 1901”; on the other side is an eagle with a crown above, and “DEUTSCHES REICH 1901 ZWEI MARK”. The rest is white metal. The swivel clasp has a mark, which looks like a plow. We haven’t been able to track it down...
I love zodiac jewelry and thankfully so did the old Mexican maestros! Yet over the years I have noticed that no matter what their form (rings, brooches or bracelets), they are being snatched up with increasing fervor. So saying that they are becoming more difficult to find would not be an understatement, especially for rings which are an already challenging area of collecting in the vintage Mexican jewelry world. It is therefore understandable that I am thrilled to have come upon this mid-centur...
A Mid Century Modern pendant in sterling silver by Kultaseppa Salovaara, Ky of Turku Finland with eight light blue faceted bezel set stones. The pendant has a curved bale which is part of the design for an interesting effect.
The pendant measures 2 1/8" high and 1 1/2" wide at the center. Currently suspended from a 17" sterling chain that has a secure spring clasp.
The pendant is marked with the polar bear mark for the maker and 925H. The chain is marked 830S for the silver standa...
William Spratling sterling and ebony necklace
Mexico
1930s
Wearable length - 16 1/2" long
Weight - 30 grams
Hallmarked
Very good vintage condition
This pretty and detailed pin might depict St. Catherine (patroness of young maidens and female scholars – we like her!). There is a wheel in the background (possibly a “Catherine Wheel,” but it could also just be a ship's wheel or a spinning wheel), and a flower in the foreground. Her clothing looks very Renaissance-era to us. Marked “SILVER” on the C-clasp, with an illegible maker’s mark, the metal tests as sterling, and she’s a dainty 7/8” in diameter. 2.5g. In excellent condit...
Vintage Indian “paizbh”, girls chainmail anklet with leaf and flower shaped links, 125 grams, may be worn as a bracelet. Inner diameter 16cm. Good silver with screw in fastener.
Pair of high content silver, pre-owned, Turkmen forearm cuffs, with inset carnelians. Very heavy, these are 310 grams each or 620 grams total. Inner circumference sizes are: 17.2cm and 19cm on and 17.9m and 20cm on the other. These can be presumably be adjusted silversmith or someone with just a good grip!
