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Furnishings (4)
Accessories, Architectural
Decorative Art (27)
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Huge 5-inch Egyptian Revival Deco Lotus Brooch
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Unsigned:
Pre 1930 item# 326691
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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A whopping 5 inches tall, this stunning art Deco vintage pin will never be overlooked when you wear it! Obviously hand-made, it's of hammered copper and brass formed in the torch-like shape of the Egyptian 'lotus' (actually a water lily), which in ancient mythology was regarded as the source of all creation. Probable dating is circa 1927-1929, the time of the first touring exhibitions of King Tut's treasures. Arts and Crafts influence is quite evident, along with Deco.
True Art Deco Egyptian Revival jewels are getting exceedingly rare now, as you probably know, and this is a very special one with only one minor flaw: The shape of the pin arches and, at the very bottom, it could stand to be straightened slightly. We've left it in original condition, exactly as it came to us from a Georgia estate, but of course you could polish it mirror-bright, if you prefer that look.
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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Superb Edwardian Marcasite French Shoe Buckles
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Accessories:
Pre 1910 item# 326414
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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For both their beauty and their virtually *mint* condition, these elegant antique shoe ornaments sparkling with tiny cut steel beads (marcasites) and faux pearls are a rare find, indeed. Even the champagne-colored silk on their reverses is still perfectly stitched down and undamaged after a century! They may never have been worn at all and certainly stand ready to make any pumps you own ready for the ballroom - or, oh, what a gift for a collector of cut steel jewelry!
Overall size is an impressive 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" and clip mechanisms are stamped "Made in France" and "Holfast Pat App For". Provenance is a New England estate.
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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Deco Diva Beaded Evening Bag - Ivory & Silver
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Archives:
Decorative Art:
Textiles:
Apparel:
Pre 1930 item# 323352
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold as a bridal bag; thank you!
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This fabulous antique silk purse is quintessential Art Deco in its boldly geometric beadwork - identical on both sides and featuring as the central motif a radiant sun. Even its base and strap are luxuriously beaded. What makes it even more special for us today is that the color scheme is extremely restrained for the period. Featuring only elegant shades of white, ivory and the dark silver of cut steel, it's a carry-with-anything bag you'll use again and again. Its size is unusually ample, too - about 8 1/4" x 5" - and it has expandable sides, as well as an interior pocket for the things you need to find quickly.
Although acquired in England, this treasure looks decidedly French to me, and of course the dating would be 1920s. Alas, it's condition - while impressive for its age - isn't perfect. (It would be museum-quality and enormously expensive, if it were.) There are a few minor bead losses, hard to notice, and the entire outer row of beads appears on close inspection to be missing on both sides. These would be simple repairs, if you're at all good with a needle. Thankfully, the lining of the pouch remains pristine, but the fabric covering the inner frame shows a few areas of rusty staining (which leads me to believe those beads that look like cut steel may be). A good dry cleaner might be able to remove those, or that portion of the bag could be relined. One hinge also needs a screw. When these minor bits of restoration are done, you'll have a bag worth two or three times the money and sure to keep increasing in value.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Rococo Revival Painted Portrait Earrings c 1850
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Victorian:
Pre 1900 item# 321863
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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These exquisite antique dangle earrings are highly unusual and beyond-belief romantic. Each features the image of an aristocratic 18th century beauty - the sort painted by Fragonard and Corot, complete with powdered hair, ruffles, flowers and bows. The portraits show no signs of transfer dots, so appear hand-painted. In fact, the earring fronts seem entirely hand-made, based on variations in the size of the ivory or early plastic cabochon drops and their wide, beaded-edge casings, as well in the position of the portraits. The open filigree cutwork backs which provide a "ruffled" edge around the earring bottoms, may possibly have been stamped (a process that began around the mid-19th century) and then hand-assembled.
These details indicate probable dating as the 1840-1860 Rococo Revival Period. "Modern" kidney-shaped earwires didn't appear until the 1870s, but those could easily have been added later. So many variations in fabrication really wouldn't exist in 20th century jewelry, ruling out the idea that they're Victorian Revival pieces from the 1920s or 1930s. Originally I thought they were fairly recent, given their superb condition. To notice any flaws, apart from slight rippling of one casing, requires very close inspection. Even under high magnification, only age-appropriate surface scratching is evident.
While I'm no jeweler, the absence of tarnish (except in a few worn spots on the reverses) leads me to believe the mountings are of unmarked silver heavily plated with rhodium or another hard-wearing metal in the platinum family. And I believe the cabochons are of natural ivory, based on "tubelike" structures that resemble long lines and disappear when they're rotated. Likely origin is French, based both on style and the fact that the ear wires have security clasps; provenance is a Deep South estate; and overall size is about 1 3/4" x 3/4". Despite their impressive size, they're surprisingly light and comfortable to wear.
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 just saw several made-yesterday reproductions in a retailer's catalog that are only glass and silver and yet cost as much as $250.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and 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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Stunning Middle Eastern Lapis Blue Ring, 1700s
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Archives:
Lost Art:
Jewelry:
Antique:
Pre 1800 item# 321779
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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This impressive 18th century ring, about a U.S. size 9, is large enough for most men or could be worn on a woman's middle finger. Its deep blue stone, believed to be natural lapis lazuli, is quite large (about 1/2" wide by 3/8" tall) and could be polished to a high shine if you prefer that look. The richly detailed mounting remains astonishingly crisp after three centuries and seems to have been crafted from a sturdy silver alloy. It was sold to us as bronze, but the color looks too silvery for that.
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Fine Ancient Roman Bronze Crescent Moon Pendant
Catalogue:
Archives:
Regional Art:
Ancient World:
Roman:
Pre AD 1000 item# 321778
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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At least 1700 years old, this ancient pendant from the Roman Empire has a bold sculptural form and is large enough to look great on a man, as well as a woman: almost 1 3/4" in each direction. Its extremely rich patina suggests long exposure to sea water, so this was presumably a shipwreck find. Provenance is a San Francisco collection.
Ready to wear, it's strung on a lanyard, as it would've been in ancient times. The lanyard, a leatherlike thong, measures about 21" including a silver or silvertone lobster clasp.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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Russian 19th Century Copper and Amber Drop Necklace
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Pre 1900 item# 319206
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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What a stunner this antique Russian necklace is, featuring the most amazing chunk of Baltic amber I've ever seen - almost 2 1/2" long! The hand-wrought chain, 17 1/2" long, has gorgeously crafted links and accents, a fascinating early clasp and the silky, luxurious feeling you get only with old copper. The Victorian massiveness of both the pendant and its chain convince me that this enormously impressive jewel dates from the mid-19th century. Provenance is a New York City collection.
Amber, BTW, has been associated with magical powers since the Stone Age. Roman soldiers wore amber into battle and Victorian mothers also pinned amber charms to their infants' clothing. So you just *might* get protection from evil spirits by wearing this necklace, besides fabulous style!
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Russian Art Deco Necklace of Copper & Baltic Amber
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Pre 1930 item# 319205
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift Wrap if Desired)
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This is one of the most dramatic pendant necklaces we've ever seen, and quite a rarity in that it was crafted during the early years of the Soviet Union. It delightfully combines the classic geometric shapes we associate with Deco jewelry and the Arts and Crafts influence evident in the artist's choice of metal. Obviously hand-made, the copper chain has highly unusual long links and falls to flapper-worthy length: 25 1/2" inches. It's finished with a wide scrolled pendant that holds two triangular drops of Baltic amber, each about 3/4" x 3/4", that dance when you move.
This wonderful jewel came to us from Russia, via a New York City dealer. Probable dating would be circa 1930, so of course the chain is richly patinated by time. You could polish the metal to a shine if you like, but to me it's perfect as it is - and has the silky, luxurious feeling you get only from old copper.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Fine Art Nouveau Filigree, Enamel Bohemian Glass Brooch
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Unsigned:
Pre 1900 item# 317993
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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One of a kind, this large and stunning antique brooch was obviously hand-crafted by an artist, who both shaped and colored the metal leaves and flower petals that surround the prong-set, central cabochon. The style is a fascinating blend of Art Nouveau with Arts and Crafts and the stone is of greenish-blue art glass.
The longer I look at this enchanting jewel, the more I believe it's Austro-Hungarian, because it's so ornate, colorful and dimensional -- plus it has the glorious Bohemian art glass, enamelwork and brass filigree for which the region is celebrated. One can't be certain without markings, which in this era appeared only on precious metals, but the indications are decidedly there. This of course makes it even more desirable, since jewels from that brief era (circa 1870-1918) are relatively rare and highly prized for sheer gorgeousness.
As you'll see in our view of its reverse, the brooch has a typically Victorian "open circle" back, as well as an old "C" clasp and tube hinge. The original elongated pinstem has at some point been snipped, as is extremely common, since those things hurt! Condition is lovely, though it could use a careful bath. We've attempted no clearning, preferring to pass a jewel so special along to its next owner in as-found condition.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Petite Georgian or Regency Gold Bangle Bracelet
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 317550
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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I believe this to be quite an early 19th century or even 18th century bracelet, based on the extreme simplicity of its closure. It's surprisingly secure, given that the "mechanism" consists only of two keyhole-shaped slots and a teensy but powerful prong. Because it adjusts to fit two positions, it would be a fabulous gift for a girl who's still growing - something she could wear now and forever. At its smallest, it fits a child-sized wrist (like mine) and, when fastened in the outer slot, most small- to average-sized women would be able to wear it.
The charming decorative motif, as you see, is a somewhat stylized rose, engraved with graceful leaves alongside and accented by a stippled background. Naturally it was worked by hand. The slightly rosy golden metal seems to be unmarked gold, showing no evidence of any underlying substance. From a Boston area estate, this bangle is in lovely condition for its age. Its width is 5/8" inches and the shape is slightly oval, which is really far more suitable to the human arm than round.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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