Victorian Gothic Cloak Clasp Sash Buckle c 1860 Rare
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English:
Pre 1900 item# 594126
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$185 SALE
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This rare and wonderful circa 1860 antique clasp or buckle is a museum-worthy jewel that you'll want to display in a vitrine or shadow box frame when you aren't using it.
By far the most romantic fashion accessory I've ever seen, it would be divine at the waist of a wedding or evening gown -- although it's easy to imagine it securing the cloak of a pre-Raphaelite poet like Christina Rosetti, as she trekked through foggy London or across windswept moors.
Crafted in two parts linked by chain when closed, this astounding item features profiles of a medieval knight and his lady, executed in high relief and remarkable detail. Each panel, about two inches round, is further embellished by an elaborate decorative motif that shows Etruscan influence in the beading of the metal. I'm not certain about the material, but it seems the figures are of gilded copper, while the frame is of gilt brass.
Obviously it dates from the mid-19th century, when the "Gothick" movement begun by Pugin expanded from architecture into other areas. For those in the avant-garde, the style provided appealing relief from neo-classicism and evoked a medieval sense of heroic endeavour and the heartiness of "Merrie England" in the Middle Ages.
Condition is quite good, given the great age of such a functional piece. There's only minor loss of finish on the front - which, as you see, is dazzling - but evidence of very old repairs became apparent after cleaning the heavily patinated reverse (no surprise since the piece has a delicate openwork understructure). There's also a tiny chink out of one edge, where a thread hole pulled through; it wouldn't be noticed when worn and another could be easily drilled in the vicinity. The price would of course be a great deal higher, if everything were perfect.
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 Edwardian Earrings and Necklace Pendant Set
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Pre 1910 item# 593118
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$295
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This lovely antique necklace and earrings set consists of a pendant in girandole form (meaning it has three drops, Queen Victoria's favorite style) and dangle earrings, each piece set with sparkling topaz and diamond pastes, probably Bohemian. Arts and Crafts influence is obvious in the openwork design, exerting a restraining influence on the Art Nouveau curves.
Of impressive size and very graceful in motion, the pendant is almost two inches long and about 1 1/2 inches at its widest, while the matching earrings are an inch long and half an inch wide. That the earrings have screw backs leads to the Edwardian dating; these existed in 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.
It's rare to find a demi-parure still together after this long, much less to find one that was seldom or never worn. I'm frankly amazed by the near-mint condition of these jewels. Apart from loss of the original bail and chain -- common with antique pendants, as you know -- I see nothing of note. (The present jump ring is a later addition.) The metal is a puzzle. In most lights, it appears silver, but at times seems to be very pale gold. That could be the nature of the alloy, slight tarnish or a light color wash. 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.
Truly an astounding set of antique jewelry, which would be the making of any outfit in the topaz/citrine color range, this reached us from a Texas estate. I expect it was crafted in Europe between 1905 and 1910.
There's no charge for insured US shipping and gift wrap is also free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Arts and Crafts Buckle of Victorian Gothic Form
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Pre 1900 item# 587921
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$110 SALE
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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, although it reached us from an East Coast estate.
Measuring more than 2 inches round, the buckle is in superb condition for its age. The gilt brass finish has patinated to a soft powdery effect on the front, where the lacquer on the surface is almost wholly intact. Some loss of lacquer is evident on the reverse, where there are brighter underlying areas. You might want to clean all the lacquer off and go for high-shine everywhere, but I'll leave that decision to you.
Obviously this buckle would be a wonderful accent for historic SCA costume, as well as a fabulously original fashion accessory for both formal and informal attire. To wear it, you'd simply stitch the bracket to a soft belt or sash (up to 1 1/2 inches wide) and, at the other end, add an eye of metal or thread for the hook to slide into.
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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Medievalist Arts & Crafts Buckle with Emerald Glass
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English:
Pre 1900 item# 587920
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$125
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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. Here the heavy gilt brass not only undulates as if fashioned a thousand years ago, but also has a rippling surface texture. Additional adornments are two large collet-set stones of emerald green crystal, applied scrollwork decorations and touches of forest green and lavender enamel. The lacquered front has darkened to a rich patina of age, while the unlacquered reverse shines so brightly golden that it can't have been worn much. If you'd like for both sides to sparkle, a good jeweler could no doubt remove the lacquer at the front (carefully preserving the painted colors). I like it as it is, but it's always nice to have a choice.
A whopping 3 inches tall, the buckle is 2 inches wide. To wear it, stitch one end of a sash or soft belt to the bracket and, at the other end, add two eyes of metal or thread for the sturdy hooks to slip through. (You could make that process even simpler, by just tying both ends of a scarf to the central bar in back.)
Obviously, this one-of-a-kind treasure would be a fabulous present for a fashionable woman -- and you could easily pay a lot more for a less impressive gift.
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 Arts and Crafts Copper Chrysoprase Brooch
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English:
Pre 1900 item# 409860
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$135 SALE
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Authentic Arts and Crafts jewels of distinguished quality are getting very hard to find, so we're delighted to present this remarkable large pin for your consideration. It's definitely a Power Jewel for a lady who's equally One of a Kind.
Almost 3 inches wide, it's hand-hammered and otherwise hand-wrought, accented with graceful cutwork and set with a mesmerizing cabochon of vivid green chrysoprase (or possibly agate). The unusual "horned" shape is wonderfully witchy and suggests the possibility of Celtic origin, especially in combination with the green stone. Scotland, as you know, was a hotbead of design innovation in this era, so this could well have originated there.
The old open "C" clasp and "T" hinge let us date the piece firmly to the 19th century. The original elongated pinstem was at some point shortened for greater comfort - quite a common occurence since those things could draw blood. Overall condition, as you see, is absolutely lovely.
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Victorian Porcelain Bar Pin or Beauty Pin for Baby
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English:
Pre 1900 item# 322567
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$45
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Exquisite and truly one of a kind, this hand-painted antique jewel would be charming worn by a baby as a so-called "beauty pin" (perhaps on the antique christening robe also shown in our catalogue). Of course it can be worn conventionally by an adult as a bar pin, too. The china plaque adorned with two roses is nicely set in a gilt brass mounting with a rich patina and the early open "C" clasp indicative of great age. Flowers have faded somewhat, adding 'shabby chic' charm. Length is about 1 1/2".
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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