Antique Victorian Paste Brooch c 1860 Large and Fine
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Decorative Art:
Jewelry:
American:
Pre 1900 item# 657260
|
click for details
|
GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$140
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
|
This is a remarkable brooch from the mid-19th century, in superb original condition. Even the extra-long pinstem hasn't been snipped at all, which is quite a rarity. Also of extreme interest are the superb faceted pastes, all very clear and white, radiating great brilliance. A cluster of seven stones nestles within each of the four beautifully dimensional flowers joined by their graceful swirl of cylindical stems.
We can date the brooch to the Victorian Grand Period by its large size -- about 2.25 inches wide and 1.75 inches tall -- and the hinge, which is of a type introduced around 1850. However, the architecturally layered construction is more typical of Georgian and Early Victorian times. This suggests American origin, away from major metropolitan centers, or simply that it was made by an older jeweler who favored traditional techniques. Certainly it was hand-made, as we can tell by variations in the flowers (slightly different shapes and engraving patterns). A particularly sweet touch is engraving on the flowers' backs, as well as inside the petals. The slightly rosy golden metal appears to be rolled gold, showing little wear even under high magnification. "Rolled" gold refers to sheets of gold attached so thickly to both sides of the underlying metal that it basically never wears out. Clasp is the old open "C", of course, and provenance is a Pennsylvania estate.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
|
|
Rare 3-inch Victorian Jeweled Crescent Moon Brooch
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Decorative Art:
Jewelry:
American:
Pre 1900 item# 623822
|
click for details
|
GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$135
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
|
There's nothing more romantic than moonlight -- especially when you can wear it! This stunning antique crescent moon brooch is quintessential Victoriana, carried to a dazzling extreme. As you know if you collect 19th century jewelry, the crescent form is often found, but typically in lengths of one or two inches. Here's your chance to own the GIANT of the species.
Still dazzling with fire from 21 prong-set diamond pastes graduated in size, this amazing jewel has the tube hinge, open C clasp and elongated pinstem right for the period, which I judge to be circa 1870 - 1880 (early in the Victorian Aesthetic Period). The reverse shows age-appropriate surface wear and the gilt brass setting could stand cleaning, but condition is otherwise remarkable. Provenance is a New Mexico estate and probable origin is American.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
|
|
Rare Antique Edwardian 1910 Halley's Comet Brooch
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Decorative Art:
Jewelry:
American:
Pre 1920 item# 513530
|
click for details
|
GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$99 SALE (Reduced from $129)
Free Insured U.S. Shipping
(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
|
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 the wonderfully iridescent mother-of-pearl from which a stylized comet was cut and then given incised details. Assembly was quite simple: The glittering row of stones is simply wired through two holes, one leading to the open "C" clasp and the other to the hinge. Thus, the stones have a bit of movement, which lets them flash even more fire. The only flaws I find are some waviness of the brass pinstem, inevitable after so long, and the fact that the point was shortened at some time (a very common adaptation, since the extra-long ones used until Art Deco days can easily draw blood).
From a New York estate, this unusual and charming jewel measures about 1 7/8 inches long and 5/8 of an inch wide. Comet jewelry always makes a great conversation piece.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
|
|
Exciting Art Nouveau Paste and Pot Metal Flower Brooch
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Decorative Art:
Jewelry:
American:
Pre 1910 item# 505786
|
click for details
|
GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$149
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
|
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.
It's quite a heavy jewel, given its size and the pot metal setting, so it benefits greatly from the presence of an early safety clasp. That may have been added later, probably when the elongated pinstem was snipped from even greater length (not a bad idea, since the lengths used in the 19th century were downright dangerous). If the safety is original, dating can't be before this sort was invented in 1902. I think the brooch is somewhat older, though, based on the type of hinge and pinstem -- and, for the same reason, can rule out its being a later Victorian Revival piece.
Obviously perfect for spring, the brooch is from a Minnesota estate and in lovely condition, relative to age. There are a few areas of discoloration on the back and the pin is a bit wavy, but all the many stones are intact and it takes high magnification to notice even light surface wear to the front.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
|
|
Fabulous Ornate Victorian Coral Choker by Greene
Catalogue:
Antiques:
Decorative Art:
Jewelry:
American:
Pre 1900 item# 319203
|
click for details
|
GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$165 SALE
(Reduced from $225)
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
And Gift Wrap if Desired)
|
Wide choker necklaces called dog collars (colliers de chien) became popular in Victorian times, because they were favored by Princess Alexandra, who liked to cover a small scar on her neck. When she became queen in Edwardian times, naturally they remained the rage. This is a paricularly wide and wonderful example, marked on the back "Greene Bros., New York City, NY," and set with 10 gorgeous speckled stones. These look like real coral, but could be excellent art glass. The choker's central oval medallion measures 2 1/2" tall by 1 3/4" wide and is riveted onto a mesh band measuring 4 1/2" x 1", which has brackets to hold a ribbon. No polishing of the gilded brass has been done; I'll leave the decision on how far to go with cleaning to the new owner.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
|
|
|
|
|
