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Antiques (76)
Furnishings, Decorative Art, Regional Art, Instruments and Implements
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Fluffy Retro Chestnut Brown Mink Fur Collar circa 1950
Catalogue:
Vintage Arts:
Decorative Art:
Textiles:
Apparel:
Pre 1960 item# 1115631
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$40 SALE. Was $55.
(Free U.S. Shipping
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Like many people, I've had second thoughts about furs. I wouldn't personally buy, sell or wear new ones (despite defending the rights of those who do). Where I part company with the anti-fur purists is when it comes to vintage pieces. Making good use of them strikes me as both ethical and sensible.
That said, you really can't beat a luxurious fur accent for Retro chic in chilly weather. An excellent example is this mid-century mink collar. About 26 inches long and a lavish 4 inches wide, it remains in lovely condition, ready to adorn any high-necked dress or sweater. The lining could stand a little restitching, which I'll need to you, since I'm clumsy with a needle.
If you agree that it's wasteful not to use and enjoy fur pieces created long ago, search for "fur" to see the mink hat and fox collar that are also available now.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping, with an equivalent discount on international delivery, and gift-wrap is always free on request. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more pictures. Thanks for looking!
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Modernist Kinetic Spinner Ring circa 1960s
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Modernism:
Pre 1970 item# 1115617
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$130.
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& Gift-Wrap, if Desired)
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This very striking mid-century modernist ring may well be one of a kind. Although unmarked, it's certainly hand-made, being roughly cast and imprecise in form. The width of the shank, for instance, wanders slightly, and the stalk-like structure that supports the green sphere flares outward a bit more on one side than the other.
The spinning orb, which also slides from side to side, is about a quarter-inch round and rises about half an inch above the ring's base. It appears to be made of highly polished jade or agate, since the surface isn't abraded as glass would be after this long. The metal tarnishes and polishes like silver, so we can safely assume considerable silver content, even if perhaps less than sterling grade.
Obviously this is a ring that would look great on either a man or a woman; it's for anyone with a taste for the bold and truly unusual. Current size is about a US 7.5, easily altered up or down by any competent jeweler. Age could be as early as the 1950s or as late as the early 1970s; condition is lovely; and provenance is an East Coast estate.
There's no charge for U.S. shipping (with an equivalent discount on international delivery) and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Cute 1954 Vintage Ginny Doll Tartan Shoe Bag
Catalogue:
Popular Collectibles:
Dolls and Figures:
Accessories:
Pre 1960 item# 1115444
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$30 SALE. Was $45.
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& Gift-Wrap, if Desired)
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Keep Ginny's shoes tidy with this vivid tartan vinyl shoe bag - in mint condition even after almost 60 years! From an extensive 1-owner doll collection, it's shown as item #842 in the 1954 "Now I Walk" catalogue. You can read "Ginny's Shoe Bag" at the top (though my photo doesn't show it *G*). Hanging holes have never been perforated. Vintage Vogue closet accessories don't come any nicer than this.
Like other Ginny items, this will also fit Alexanderkins (Madame Alexander's smallest dolls). Their clothes and shoes are the same size.
There's no charge for U.S. shipping (with an equivalent discount on international delivery) and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Ginny Doll and Alexanderkin Skates Boots Shoes c 1955
Catalogue:
Popular Collectibles:
Dolls and Figures:
Accessories:
Pre 1960 item# 1115440
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$55 SALE. Were $75.
(Free U.S. Shipping
& Gift-Wrap, if Desired)
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If you collect these wonderful small dolls from long ago, you know that finding authentic footwear for them is a huge challenge. That makes this group from one estate a great find.
Included are ice skates and roller skates from the Ginny line by Vogue Dolls, pink ballet slippers from Madame Alexander and red cowgirl boots that I can't identify for sure.
The skates are in quite good condition, considering that they're about 60 years old. The white ice skates could use cleaning and you may want to remove the bits of rust from the roller skate wheels. The slippers and boots will require a little more effort: The slippers need to have their ribbons reattached and the boots have frayed edges that need a trim. Sharp manicure scissors should take care of that neatly. With the footwear comes a carrier box that held one pair of the skates, when new; it's rather battered, but nice to have.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping, with an equivalent discount on international delivery, and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Rare Victorian Golf Trophy Putting Stone Marker Fob
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Decorative Art:
Jewelry:
English:
Pre 1900 item# 1114836
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$650 SALE. Was $800.
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& Gift-Wrap, if Desired)
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To dazzle a golfer who has everything else, here’s a superb Victorian Gothic Revival putting stone (aka marker) from Fife in Scotland -- the birthplace of golf, home to St. Andrews and other legendary links. This comes from sacred territory; I know -- my dad was an ardent golfer. It reached us via a picker who got it at an auction sale in Dundee.
Certainly handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, it was presented to a tournament victor in the mid-19th century, being inscribed "1st Prize Putting Stone" on the reverse. The front is a work of art -- literally: a gorgeous enamel portrait of an early golfer in medieval attire -- and the silver frame is intricately worked with Gothic arches on both sides and crowned by thistles, emblematic of Scotland and its Royal house for centuries. This particular triple-thistle motif may allow it to be traced to a particular golf course.
The loop at the top suggests it was used as a watch fob, when not busy being a marker. It would of course make a stupendous necklace pendant for a lady golfer.
This is an extremely high-quality piece with a lot of heft. It measures about 2.25 inches by 1.5 inches and is in virtually pristine condition. The enamel colors remain radiant and unworn and the lavish silverwork is undamaged. We've left the patina of age in place on the silver, which is unmarked but obviously of high grade. It can of course be polished to shine like the dickens, if you prefer that look. The only issue we can find is a tiny chip at the outer edge of the portrait's black background. Our pricing naturally reflects the flaw, although it’s very hard to notice, since the medallion appears to be black all the way through.
The tradition of awarding golf tournament gifts can be traced back to 1744, when the Edinburgh City Council was asked to provide a silver club for an annual competition held by the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith (still extant as The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers). Prizes have subsequently taken just about every form, among which this is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.
Golf collectibles have gained value dramatically over the past 25 years, as you probably know, with exceptional items far outperforming stocks and bonds.
For this treasure, there will be no charge for delivery to any country where we ship, and lovely gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Superb Victorian Gothic Revival Brooch w Fitted Case
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre 1900 item# 1114824
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$350 SALE. Was $450.
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& Gift-Wrap, if Desired.
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We were so impressed by this astonishing mid-19th century Danish jewel that we brought it in all the way from Australia, where it had somehow migrated. It's simply breathtaking. When you're anywhere near it, you can scarcely take your eyes away.
Here the design perfectly captures the opulence of the Gothic and Renaissance Revival period and also shows Etruscan influence in the granulated scrollwork that surrounds the central cross on each dome. Further indicating great age are the large open C clasp; the early T hinge, which wobbles from side to side as they do; and the extreme length of the pinstem, shortened from even greater length at some time for safety's sake.
Adding even more to the rarity of this treasure, it comes with its original box of issue, shaped and sized to fit it, which strongly suggests that the jewel is one of a kind, hand-crafted for a particular customer. The box, a red oval with touches of gold and green, measures 2,75 inches by 1.75 inches by almost an inch deep and remains in reasonably good condition. Scrolling Victorian letters on the cover read: "Guldsmed Karl B. Kragh, Pilestraede 42" -- an address that still exists in Oslo (and remains in the city's most fashionable shopping district, as in the time of the goldsmith Kragh).
Condition of the brooch is exquisite. It shows only slight loss of gilding on high points under strong magnification, as one would expect after so long. The underlying metal looks dark with tarnish, so is almost certainly silver. I can’t say whether it’s sterling or a slightly lower grade chosen for greater durability, because attacking a piece of this rare beauty with files and test acids is simply out of the question. As far as I'm concerned, that would be tantamount to axe-murder. Size is about 2.25 inches by 1.5 inches, but its highly dimensional form makes this brooch seem monumental.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping, with an equivalent discount on international delivery, and beautiful gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Edwardian Earrings and Necklace Pendant Set
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Other Metals:
Pre 1910 item# 1114723
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$225 SALE. Was $285.
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& Gift-Wrap, if Desired)
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It's rare to find a demi-parure still together after a century, much less one that was seldom or never worn. I'm frankly amazed by the condition of these pieces; apart from loss of the original bail and chain -- common with antique pendants, as you know -- they're nearly like new.
Of impressive size and very graceful in motion, the pendant is almost 2 inches long and about 1 1/2 inches at its widest, while the matching dangle earrings are an inch long and half an inch wide. That the earrings have screw fasteners led us to the Edwardian dating; these existed in Late Victorian times, but didn't really catch on until the early 20th century. The set also has the airy, ultra-refined quality we associate with Edwardiana. The girandole (three-drop) form of the pendant is a throwback to Georgian times, however, which was perpetuated through the Victorian period by the Queen's fondness for wearing her grandmother Charlotte's girandole jewels. Here the drops feature lots of Art Nouveau curves, somewhat tempered by Arts and Crafts influence. When those design currents intersect, there's a really fresh look that I love.
Each piece sparkles with excellent topaz and diamond pastes, probably Bohemian, but the metal's a puzzle. In most lights, it appears silver, yet at times seems a very pale gold. That could be a bit of tarnish; a light wash of gold over silver; or the nature of the alloy, resembling ancient electrum. There's simply too little surface wear to tell, and it strikes me as criminal to risk damaging such pristine, subtly shimmering surfaces with polishes or test acids. Fortunately, we found a replacement chain that's a good color match. The pendant could still use a proper bale that matches -- perhaps a fancy one; we'll leave that choice to you, along with how much polishing to do.
Truly an astounding set of antique jewelry, which would be the making of any outfit in the yellow/orange/brown spectrum, this reached us from a Texas estate. It was most likely crafted in Europe circa 1905-1910.
There's no charge for insured US shipping, with an equivalent discount on international delivery, and beautiful gift wrap is also free whenever desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Moonstone Sterling Necklace on Paperclip Chain
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Arts and Crafts:
Pre 1920 item# 1114707
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$135 SALE. Was $155.
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& Gift-Wrap, if Desired)
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Here's a little slice of heaven: a bewitching crescent moon to wear at your throat, set with a luminous moonstone.
As you probably know, moonstones were greatly favored by jewelry designers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were ideal for the cabochon cuts and simple bezel settings that characterized Arts and Crafts style. The very clean lines of this jewel anticipate Art Deco, which began to evolve in Edwardian times, but its dainty scale identifies it with the earlier era. It was undoubtedly made for a young lady, since large jewelry was considered vulgar on unmarried women until standards relaxed after World War I. Its paperclip chain -- an extremely feminine, curvy version in this case -- is also typically Edwardian and transitional.
This ethereally beautiful necklace is 15 inches long, with the central moon measuring about 1 3/8 inches from horn to horn. The stone is blue-white and undoubtedly genuine, without the abrasions we'd see on glass. Overall condition of the jewel is lovely. Only light surface wear is evident under high magnification, along with a bit of age patina on the reverse that survived someone's recent polishing (not mine, I emphasize to the purists among us). That it's stamped simply "Sterling" suggests American origin, because a panoply of hallmarks appear on most English sterling silver. Provenance is a Deep South estate.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping, with an equivalent discount on internatinoal delivery, and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Spectacular Necklace of Ancient Romano British Beads
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Strands:
Pre AD 1000 item# 1114516
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$350. Was $475.
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& Gift-Wrap, if Desired)
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This extraordinary necklace of 2000-year-old beads was acquired in its present form from a specialist dealer in London about 30 years ago. Measuring almost 17 1/4 inches plus clasp, the strand is weighty with colorful beads of ceramic, glass and natural stone, a few of which appear to be amber.
According to an expert, this is the sort of strand created by Britons of the Anglo-Saxon period, using beads left by the Romans (who occupied Britain from the 1st through the 3rd century). Similar examples have been found in burials circa 600-1000, so this group of beads may very well have been worn together for that long! The latest restringing probably took place at least a century ago, based on the Victorian fish-hook clasp. That makes the necklace even more special, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to restring the beads again soon, for security's sake.
There's no charge for insured U.S. priority shipping, with an equivalent discount on international delivery, and beautiful gift wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Rare Pre-Columbian Tumbaga Gold Frog Pendant
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Latin American:
Pre 1492 item# 1114513
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$700 SALE. Was $850.
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& Gift-Wrap, if Desired)
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This unusually large and ornate frog effigy, if not reconditioned as a pendant, would be a museum-piece. It was found circa 1950, with normal and natural wear, then cleaned and polished, fitted with a bale and probably gold-dipped to restore its original appearance.
Looking at the result, I find it hard to regret the changes, even though a lot of value was lost. Now we're free to enjoy it as a jewel, not just admire it in a public display case.
Tumbaga gold, if the term is unfamiliar, refers to a copper and gold alloy used in pre-Columbian Central America. Pieces cast of this material were treated with plant acids to leach out the copper and the remaining gold surface was then burnished. Sometimes they were also gilded with higher quality gold.
In the culture where it originated, the frog was the traditional symbol for power and fruitfulness. Similar pieces -- smaller and less intricate but left in as-found condition -- are selling online for $1500 to $2000.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping (with an equivalent discount for our international customers) and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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