Stunning Antique Edwardian Suffragette Dangle Earrings
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Pre 1920 item# 830804
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These are among the loveliest Suffragette earrings we've been privileged to offer. Besides being set with wonderful, large faux gems, they're exquisitely patterned on both sides. That the backs of these drops are as lavishly detailed as the fronts is a sure sign of very great age, not seen much after Victorian times. Screw fasteners existed in the 19th century, but gained wide popularity a little later, so we date these beauties circa 1905-1910.
To the Suffragettes' efforts through many decades, we modern women owe our right to vote, which was extended to all American women in 1920 and to all in Great Britain in 1928. As you know if you collect jewels from the Suffragette movement, the unusual combination of green, purple and white had deep meaning for early feminists. For them, green represented hope, purple signified dignity and white stood for purity. The language we associate with "regard" jewelry applied, too: The "G" of green, "W" of white and "V" of violet comprised an abbreviation for Give Women (the) Vote. All this seems cryptic now, but was clearly understood by everyone in an era when messages were also communicated by which flowers you sent, how you held your fan and which corner of a calling card you folded down, if any. The wealthiest suffragettes mixed amethysts and pearls or diamonds with green stones such as emeralds or peridots, but pretend gems were naturally favored by the majority.
In this case, we have beautifully marbled faux jade, plus sparkling, faceted amethyst pastes and softly glowing glass pearls. Everything remains in spectacular condition, including the gilding. It takes high magnification to notice age-appropriate surface wear. It isn't unusual for Suffragette jewels to survive a century in great shape, since they were worn only occasionally (to meetings and when marching for the vote) -- then tucked away and forgotten for decades. They're been rapidly gaining value since the movie "Iron Jawed Angels" appeared in 2004, revealing what the gals went through, including hunger strikes and beatings.
Wearing Suffragette jewels is a great way to show your pride and appreciation and, now that the genre has been rediscovered, they're getting much harder to find. We try to maintain a good selection, but demand keeps growing. If these strike your fancy, you'd better not delay. They reached us from a Florida estate. and could have been made by an East Coast firm in America. However, the extremely high quality suggests origin in Bohemia or France. You'll be surprised how solid these are -- not a bit flimsy. They're truly superb.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail erinharris@comcast.net to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Victorian Art Nouveau Suffragette Necklace
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Pre 1900 item# 691014
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This spectacular necklace makes a powerful feminist statement, while also being ultra-feminine. Its provenance is a Kentucky estate and most likely dating is circa 1900. It could be earlier, but a later Edwardian necklace would be daintier.
Fashioned in lavaliere form, the necklace has a gracefully domed openwork surmount above the bold central element: a large (1 1/2" x 1") and highly dimensional pendant with Art Nouveau flourishes that cage a jadelike stone of early plastic, set in an ornate frame jeweled with four faux pearls and four faceted amethyst pastes.
All the stones most likely came from Bohemia, which became Czechoslovakia after World War I and for centuries produced the best simulated gemstones. These appear original and are in fine condition, as are the richly textured gilt setting and long-link chain. Even the chain is edged with lovely Art Nouveau scrollwork. It measures 7" on each side, the fancy clasp adds another 1/2" and the lavalier adds 2 1/2", so total hanging length is 17".
As you know if you collect Suffragette jewels, the unusual combination of green, purple and white typically signifies that a jewel was first owned by a member of the movement. For them, green represented hope, purple signified dignity and white stood for purity. The language we associate with "regard" jewelry applied, too: The "G" of green, "W" of white and "V" of violet comprised an abbreviation for Give Women (the) Vote. All this seems cryptic now, but was clearly understood by everyone in an era when messages were also communicated by which flowers you sent, how you held your fan and which corner of a calling card you folded down, if any. To the Suffragettes' efforts through many decades in the U.K. and U.S., we modern women owe our right to vote. That right was finally extended to all American women in 1920 and to all in Great Britain in 1928. Thus, although most of the jewelry is Victorian, Edwardian or transitional, some was crafted in the Art Deco era.
The wealthiest suffragettes mixed amethysts and pearls or diamonds with green stones such as emeralds or peridots, but pretend gems were naturally favored by gals of lesser means and they could look just as opulent, as this necklace proves. It was certainly a jewel prized by its first owner and has been equally cherished by her heirs. Time has patinated the gilt metalwork (heavy brass or possibly bronze)and there's age-appropriate surface wear, but no damage.
Although forgotten for many years, these jewels have been rapidly gaining value since the movie "Iron Jawed Angels" appeared in 2004, revealing what the gals went through (including hunger strikes and beatings). Wearing Suffragette jewels is a great way to show your pride and appreciation and, now that the genre has been rediscovered, they're getting much harder to find.
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!
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Rare Antique Art Nouveau Lady Portrait Barrette c 1900
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Pre 1910 item# 685882
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Authentic Victorian Art Nouveau "lady portrait" jewels have become so scarce that even well-made replicas are soaring in value, so we're delighted to present this treasure from the late 19th or very early 20th century. It's a highly unusual example of the form, being crafted as a hair jewel. Through many years of collecting Art Nouveau, I've never before run across a barrette like this.
Obviously you could transform it into a pendant necklace and/or a brooch by having it placed in a bezel with the appropriate hardware. By most reckonings, that would substantially increase the value; however, I find it even more interesting in its unexpected present form.
This is a truly spectacular jewel -- highly dimensional, large (about 1.5 inches round) and exquisitely detailed. The portrait head is one of the loveliest I've seen, both for the woman's beauty and for her harmony with the floral and foliate shapes surrounding her. A flower wafting from behind settles like a ruffled cap over her curls.
The influence of French "art medals" is strong and quite possibly an original by one of the masters is recreated here. Provenance is a Louisiana estate and condition, as you see, is remarkably fine. Quite a bit of patina remains on the aged brass reverse, but the front was brightly polished sometime recently. The hairpin-type barrette catch still works perfectly after more than a century.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping (with an equivalent discount on international delivery). Gift-wrap is also free on request. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Art Nouveau Lady Portrait Brooch c 1890 Exotic
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Pre 1910 item# 661727
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As you know if you collect Art Nouveau, authentic "lady portrait" jewels have become extremely hard to find. Even later reproductions are soaring in value, so you simply can't go wrong with a true Victorian treasure like this for less than $200.
Making it even more exceptional, it features TWO portrait heads, brilliant Bohemian ruby and emerald pastes and wonderful Arabesque tracery. Adding further to the exotic look that pays tribute to the Victorian love of travel, these Art Nouveau beauties wear elaborate headscarves that suggest North Africa. The gilt finish, well-preserved and beautifully patinated by time, has the rosy cast favored in the 1890s.
The brooch -- which could easily double as a necklace by pinning it to a ribbon choker -- measures about 1 3/8 inches round, is highly dimensional and has a nice heft to it that indicates quality. Its original hardware is present: a clasp of the open "C" type and a hinge of the sort introduced in the 1850s. At some point the pinstem, which would have extended well beyond the brooch, was snipped and filed to a new point -- not a bad idea, since the old elongated pins became dangerous when women gave up wearing layers of underclothing. The hinge may have been reattached at one time, since there's quite a lot of flux around it; however, it's gilded over, so could have been there forever.
Provenance of the brooch is a Kentucky estate, but I expect it originated in the British Isles -- possibly Scotland, based on the fascinating stylized heart formed by the tails of the scarves. You could look a long time for an Art Nouveau portrait brooch as unusual as this one.
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!
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Antique Victorian French Jet Belt Buckle Set c 1870
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Pre 1900 item# 600865
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Forty-eight beautifully faceted French Jet stones sparkle on this antique buckle set. French jet, as you know, is a form of black glass created to imitate English Whitby jet, when supplies of the latter were depleted by the 19th century passion for mourning jewelry. The buckle measures 2 1/4 inches tall and 3 inches wide (when closed) and was probably made in the 1860s or 1870s.
Despite great age, the buckle is sturdy and in nicely wearable condition. At the back, which was lacquered black at some point, there's evidence of old repairs and a few splashes of black paint are on the brass fittings. These flaws won't show at all in use, but naturally our price reflects them. A buckle this old and striking would be a great deal higher, if everything were perfect. On sale now, it's a steal.
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!
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Victorian Japanned Bronze Egyptian Revival Snake Brooch
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Pre 1900 item# 344079
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While most of us know the discovery of King Tut's tomb in the 1920s led to a craze for Egyptian-inspired jewelry, fewer are aware there were earlier Egyptian crazes - circa 1800, prompted by Napoleon's campaign in Egypt; again during the 1860s, when the Suez Canal opened to great pomp and ceremony; and to a lesser extent in the closing decades of the 19th century, sparked by various archeological discoveries.
This particular jewel, based on its style and details of fabrication (such as the tube hinge and safety pin clasp), has to be from the Late Victorian era, likely circa 1880. It's a rare example of a decidedly Egyptian motif on a bar pin. Quite heavy for its size (about 2" x 3/8"), it seems to be of bronze rather than brass and has a japanned (blackened) background and reverse. Upraised in relief and brightly polished, the serpentine motif is as trendy now as when the Victorians fell in love with it. To them, the snake signified eternity and worn often in sentimental contexts; Queen Victoria's wedding ring, for instance, was of serpent form. The use of black suggests this could have been a mourning jewel.
Given its stylized simplicity of design and indications of hand-craftsmanship, Arts and Crafts influence on this brooch is strong. It was probably made in Europe - England would be my best guess - but reached us from a Florida estate. Condition is lovely, all original except that the pinstem was at some point snipped (not a bad idea, since those extra-long ones could easily draw blood). The pinstem shows a slight crimp, too, indicating that someone tried first to shorten it by this means for greater comfort.
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Rare Cut Steel Halley's Comet Brooch c1910
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Pre 1910 item# 339862
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During Victorian and Edwardian days, it was typical to depict comets in floral form. Often the comet tails are easily mistaken for stems; in this case, however, the way the tail finishes with a forked or crescent moon shape makes the creator's intent quite clear. A highly showy celestial event is definitely represented here!
Inspired by the 1910 appearance of Halley's or an even earlier comet, this stunning and unusual antique pin can't possibly be later than Edwardian. It has the wonderful old open C clasp, a tube hinge and a pinstem that remains elongated despite evidence of being snipped from an even greater length. Overall size is substantial, about 1 1/2 inches x 2" inches.
Cut steel jewelry, as you know, was prized from the late 18th century for the ability of its facets to mimic the flash of diamonds in low light. Electrification brought true gemstones with fancier cuts to the fore, and most surviving steel items are shoe buckles. Less sturdy forms, like this delicate brooch of openwork filigree are remarkable finds, indeed. There's evidence of one small expert repair on its reverse; otherwise, condition is pristine - no doubt because it came from a New Mexico estate, where the arid climate protected it from rust, steel's mortal enemy.
You - or the lucky recipient, if you're thinking of this as a gift - will be proud to own such an exceptional piece of the past. I was thrilled and enormously surprised to find it.
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Very Rare, Exciting & Huge Victorian Shoe Clips
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Pre 1900 item# 327304
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Layers and layers of gracefully shaped and incised leaves ornament this remarkable and exquisitely crafted set of enormous antique clips. The engraved front surfaces feel wonderfully silky - a real treat to touch and the reverses are fascinating, too. The hinged fasteners are highly detailed and, beneath them, you can see how the clips were built up architecturally in layers, showing a strong Arts & Crafts influence. They were definitely hand-assembled, if not entirely hand-crafted.
Measuring about 2 5/8" by 2", the clips date from the late 19th or very early 20th century; they're certainly no later than Edwardian, but probably Victorian. The metal, quite sturdy, looks like gilded brass in back but bronze in front, so you might want to polish the fronts it you prefer a brighter look. Overall condition is excellent. It's quite unusual to find clips of this great age that are so gently worn.
If you clip these on your favorite pumps, you'll step out in spectacular style - or they'd be equally enchanting on a pair of jacket pockets.
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Lovely Antique Filigree and Diamond Paste Drop Earrings
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Pre 1910 item# 140169
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These dazzling antique drop earrings feature openwork spheres of gold and silver filigree, plus bezel-set clear stones that sparkle with the brilliance of old pastes. In each earring, two glorious globes revolve around a central cylinder, adding even more motion to their graceful swing and sway. The metals appear to be gilt brass and unmarked silver, length is approximately 1 1/4" and condition is magnificent.
Based on their screw-type backs, each also set with a faceted stone, I'm dating them to the very early 20th century Edwardian era. However, they may well be older; the design is quite Victorian, showing mid-19th century Rococo Revival influence and a granulated surface typical of Etruscan Revival jewels. It would have been easy enough to replace original shepherd's crook wires with screw backs at a later date. Regardless of their precise age, this is a truly gorgeous, ultra-feminine pair of earrings that you can wear beautifully with either silver or gold jewelry, due to their mix of metals. For their size, they're surprisingly lightweight and comfortable. Provenance is the estate of an extremely elderly lady who occupied the "great house" of her Deep South community.
As you know if you follow fashion news, dangle earrings with an antique look are all the rage now. Why not wear (or give) the Real Thing, especially when it's less expensive and sure to rise in value? I saw several made-yesterday reproductions in a retailer's catalog that cost up to $250.
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Medievalist Mid Victorian Rose Gold & Branch Coral Pin
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Pre 1900 item# 126608
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This fascinating Victorian pin has a lovely medieval heraldic design and a centerpiece of branch coral. Probable dating would be circa 1860-1880, based on the Gothic or Renaissance Revival influence evident in its style. The engraved scalloped edges are also true to that period and the spade-shaped leaves are distinctly tied to the Aesthetic Movement.
I'm not absolutely sure about the metal, but it looks like rose gold. A small opening on the back, evidently intentional, allows a tiny peek at the interior - but I can't see much apart from grime. I do think there would be green patina both inside and out if the brooch were only copper. Since this is such a well-detailed item and coral wasn't unduly expensive, I can conclude only that it's the real thing (very highly polished) or a very early plastic material then more prized than the real thing. Coral, BTW, was valued by the Victorians for its supposed curative and protective powers.
Size is 1 1/2" x 1" and overall condition is extremely good, with only age-appropriate surface wear visible under high magnification.
The hinge, sitting lower than the clasp, seems original, but the safety clasp was obviously added many years later, replacing an old open C. The pin stem would have been shortened at the same time, not a bad idea since those extra-long ones can so easily draw blood.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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