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Antique Art Nouveau Lady Portrait Cheese Knife c 1900
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Plate:
Pre 1910 item# 689811
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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This exquisite piece of antique cutlery, although technically a cheese knife, would also be a marvelous letter opener for display on your desk. Seven inches long, it has a graceful 3-inch scimitar blade and a gorgeous 4-inch handle about an inch thick, featuring gorgeous portrait heads on both sides. The Victorian beauties shown in profile are amid lots of scrolling floral and foliate detail, including the whiplash curves so typical of Art Nouveau design.
Besides being beautiful, this knife feels great in the hand -- perfectly shaped and weighted for pleasure in use.
That no marks are present signifies great age and, under high magnification, all surfaces show wear appropriate for a Victorian or Edwardian dating (circa 1895 - 1910). The intricate pattern of tiny scratches that gives antique silver its rich patina isn't visible to the naked eye, however. At a glance, the knife is in such fabulous shape that you'd almost mistake it for new. Thus, this is a very rare find, indeed.
About the metal composition, tarnish does lift off with polishing, so there's silver involved at least as plating. The blade seems to have been brightly polished recently, but yielded a little more tarnish when polish was applied. The handle hasn't been polished lately, so I left it alone, except to try a little polish on the outer edges. The experiment showed that it will brighten considerably all over, if you prefer that look. The handle's underlying metal may be pewter and the blade's steel -- or both might be silver of a sturdy, less than sterling grade. Testing with files and acids to find out for sure would be a sacrilege, given the amazing condition of the piece. It reached us from a Pennsylvania estate, but I expect it came from Europe.
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 Victorian Earrings with Screw Posts c 1890
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Estate Jewelry:
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Rhinestone:
Pre 1900 item# 687914
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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Threaded posts and screw-on fasteners are a wonderful luxury, because you never have to worry about losing an earring due to a loose back. That luxury normally requires buying very costly earrings, but it wasn't so in the 1890s, when backs like these appeared on nicer costume jewelry, too.
Due to the form of their fasteners, we can date these stud earrings with perfect precision. Backs looked like this ONLY in the 1890s. Also typical of the era is the rosy golden mounting that's fluted like a tart-crust to cradle each gorgeously faceted, large diamond paste. Without a doubt, every millimeter of these is original.
The earrings are almost a quarter of an inch round, with most of the size in glittering stone, so they make quite an impression. Antique pastes, as you know, have much more depth and finesse than our modern rhinestones and can easily be mistaken for old-cut diamonds.
The stones are in fantastic shape, showing only slight surface wear under high magnification. The rose gilt metalwork has accumulated quite a lot of age patina, so -- with apologies to the purists among us -- I recommend a fairly serious polish. A good jeweler could loosen a few of these wide prongs, take the stones out, remove a century of grunge behind them and make these shine like the dickens. I can barely restrain myself from taking them to my favorite jeweler -- but will, since the decision on how far to go with cleaning rightfully belongs to the next owner. You don't want them to look like they were made yesterday, of course, but there's clearly room for improvement short of that.
From a St. Louis estate, these earrings are a truly rare find and of a style you'll delight in wearing both day and night. We've priced them this low, to allow for professional cleaning.
Thanks for looking!
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Exquisite Antique Arts and Crafts Suffragette Brooch
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Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Arts and Crafts:
Pre 1900 item# 686092
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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Arts and Crafts workmanship is renowned for its excellence, but this brooch takes the prize. The level of detail here has to be called obsessive. Photographs only begin to capture it; in fact, it can't be fully appreciated without magnification. The leaves, for instance, are not only veined but finely stippled and a tiny whorl is incised at the base of the stem. Equal precision applies to the shapes, not only to their crisply defined edges but also to how they've been positioned sculpturally.
For even more dimension, the gorgeous stones are set high above the background elements. A raised undergallery holds six prong-set emerald pastes and then a collet rises in the center to frame the amethyst paste. A top-knot of faux moonstone globes is wired above -- completing the Suffragette palette of colors and also beautifully balancing the curve of the stem below the sparkling flower. Within the Suffragette movement, green represented hope, purple signified dignity and white stood for purity. The language we associate with "regard" jewelry featured, too: The "G" of green, "W" of white and "V" of violet comprised an abbreviation for Give Women (the) Vote.
The back of the brooch is also fascinating. A sort of tendril stretches gracefully between the leaves and adds support for the stem. The old hinge and open C clasp, obviously original, have a rosy glow from underlying copper where silver plating has worn. The rest of the brooch appears to be silver (probably a sturdier grade than sterling to hold protect this detail). Patches of patina remain on the reverse and lots is visible beneath the flowerhead. The front was given a skillful light polish by someone not long ago; you can still see small areas of tarnish among the stipples and a generally warm tone all over. The silver hasn't been stripped back to made-yesterday whiteness, thank goodness.
That no marks are present is a surprise, given how much work went into this treasure. The glass stones, based on their superb quality, must be Bohemian. The brooch, itself, was probably crafted in America, where silver didn't have to be marked until latter Edwardian times. Most likely dating would be the end of the Victorian era or the earliest Edwardian years, around 1900 to 1905. Size is 1 7/8" x 1", but its dimensionality and rich coloring make the brooch seem bigger. There's one oddity I should mention: a teensy hole drilled near the base of one leaf, which is difficult to notice. Perhaps more white beads were wired there and it would certainly be easy to add some.
Another lovely way to wear this pin would be at your throat on a ribbon choker.
Forgotten for many years, Suffragette jewels have rapidly gained 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 (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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Richly Jeweled Antique Edwardian Suffragette Earrings
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Rhinestone:
Pre 1920 item# 685789
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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I've never seen this many jewels -- 32 total -- packed onto so little metalwork, which gives these antique earrings a really opulent look. There was certainly no conflict between being a Suffragette and being highly feminine. There are five faceted pastes in each earring, plus 10 faux pearls and a very dimensional heart-shaped leaf of faux opal with loads of fire, that seems to be carved, rather than molded.
I date the pair to the Edwardian era, give or take a few years. A hint of Victorian Art Nouveau remains evident in their curvy starburst or pinwheel form, but they also have the delicacy that we associate with Edwardian and transitional styles. The glass is Bohemian / Czech, based on its quality, and all stones appear original. Settings are gilt brass with screw-backs and it takes magnification to notice surface wear. There's still a lot of shine. Size is about 3/4" in one dimension and 7/8" in the other, but they seem larger because there's so much going on. Although from an estate in Ohio, these seem decidedly European to me -- probably Austro-Hungarian in the last days of Empire, made for export to the Suffragette market in the UK or US.
As you know if you collect Suffragette jewelry, the unusual combination of colors is what we look for. Green stood for hope, purple for dignity and white 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.
Forgotten for many years, these jewels have been rapidly gaining value since the star-studded TV 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. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Victorian Suffragette Necklace w/ Dangles c1900
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Victorian:
Pre 1900 item# 682845
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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Dating from the late 19th or very early 20th century, this dramatic necklace not only makes a powerful feminist statement but is also poetry is motion. Its three dangling drops, each set with a diamond paste, will sway and glitter with your every sigh. The bold central element above is a sculptural triumph, gracefully curved with Art Nouveau flourishes and adorned with huge molded jewels that look like mounds of carved jade, both green and lavender, amid 13 more faux diamonds.
All the stones appear original and are in remarkably fine condition, as are the richly textured gilt setting and chain. Most likely the necklace was made in Bohemia, which for centuries produced the finest simulated gems, as well as ornate and rather fanciful settings. The area became Czechoslovakia after World War I, but was previously part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
As you know, the unusual combination of green, purple and white typically signifies that a jewel was first owned by a member of the Suffragette 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. 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. Overall length is about 16 inches and provenance is a West Coast estate.
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. Although forgotten for many years, these jewels have been rapidly gaining value since the star-studded TV 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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THE LURE OF ITALY Rare & Massive Vintage Art Book
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Collectibles:
Books:
Pre 2000 item# 679274
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you! $70.
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The Lure of Italy: American Artists and the Italian Experience 1760-1914. 1992. First Edition. Like New.
If you love Italy and/or 19th century American art, prepare to be enthralled by this brilliant and much-coveted work.
Both a scholarly text and an exhibition catalog, it was compiled by the show's curator: distinguished art historian Theodore E. Stebbins, Jr. Its 470 pages include substantive essays by Stebbins and other experts; 319 illustrations (113 of which are color plates); and a full catalog of the exhibit, which opened in Boston on Sept. 16, 1992 and was seen in 1993 in Cleveland and Houston.
This was the first and remains the definitive study of the fascination Italy held for American artists from the time of neo-classicist Benjamin West to the eve of World War I, encompassing Roman, Florentine and Venetian phases.
From a New Mexico estate, our hardback First Edition is in superlative shape, complete with dust jacket. You could easily mistake it for new. Measuring about 10 by 11.25 inches and more than an inch thick, this hard-to-find volume is offered elsewhere online for $80 - $85 (plus shipping, a considerable cost for a book of such weight). Our price is thus a very good value, with U.S. shipping included -- or an equivalent discount on international delivery. We'll gift-wrap free, too, if desired. Thanks for looking!
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1994 Tate Exhibition Catalog - R B Kitaj Retrospective
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Books:
Pre 2000 item# 678988
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you! $40.
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Any fan of R. B. Kitaj (1932 - present) will be thrilled to have this volume. It's the first edition that accompanied his landmark exhibition when it opened at the Tate in London on June 16, 1994. Of truly impressive size and quality, this is the catalog printed by Tate Gallery Publications. (A later version by Rizzoli was distributed to the two American museums hosting the show in 1995; it's far more commonly found in this country than the original.)
More than 200 pages in length, this is a big, hefty, colorful "coffee table" book that's richly illustrated and packed with enlightening text on the artist's career -- including a fascinating interview with Kitaj, his "prefaces" to the featured works (many of which were displayed alongside them) and an essay by his philosopher friend, Richards Wollheim. The book was edited by Richard Morphet, Keeper of the Modern Collection at the Tate from 1986 to 1998, who worked with Kitaj on the selection process and wrote the introduction.
In wonderful condition, showing just a little wear to the back cover, it still has its Tate Gallery price tag (19 pounds and 95 pence, about $40 by today's reckoning). Nearly 20 years later, we're charging the same and we'll cover US shipping, too (or provide an equivalent discount for international delivery). Thanks for looking!
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2 Super Sexy Vintage Lingerie Items, 1980s, Unworn
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Collectibles:
Nostalgia:
Pre 1990 item# 675075
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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This is VERY different from what we normally offer, but what fun! The former owner of these gorgeous undies received them as gifts in the mid-1980s and never once got the nerve to wear them. If you're a more adventurous type, let them rock your boudoir!
The black stretch mesh teddy features an adjustable halter strap, lacy edging and a lovely floral accent that's either silk-screened or hand-painted. It's by Hanky Panky and marked size small. According to the care tag, it's 100% nylon, machine washable (on the delicate cycle).
The forest green thong lavished with silk lace has a very luxurious texture and is by The Lingerie Collection. Although marked size Petite/Small, it looks to me like it would also fit a medium. Fabric is a heavy satin-like rayon/nylon blend and care instructions recommend hand-washing.
If you love the glitzy fashions of the "Dallas" and "Dynasty" era, you'll love wearing these underneath. Although 20 years old, they're absolutely like new.
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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Beautiful circa 1920 Jeweled Suffragette Dome Brooch
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Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Rhinestone:
Pre 1920 item# 652596
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
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This stunning antique brooch is dramatically domed in three layers, each featuring one of the colors so important to the Suffragette movement: green, white and violet, the first letters of which stood for "Give Women (the) Vote". Green also represented hope; white signified the purity of their intentions; and violet was a reference to dignity ("the royal purple").
Here a central marquis-cut stone of emerald glass rises above a tier of 8 diamond pastes, which radiate on spokes over the 17 amethyst pastes set in silvery pot metal. These are wonderful stones, very well-crafted and fiery, almost certainly Bohemian (technically Czech, if made after World War I).
The brooch could have been fashioned either a little before or just after that war. The openwork setting has the lacy look favored by Edwardians, yet a hint of Art Deco is also present. I'm persuaded toward the slightly later dating by the fastening mechanism.
As you know if you collect Suffragette jewelry, it was worn by early feminists from Victorian times until around 1920 in the U.S. and nearly 1930 in the U.K. Once female suffrage became universal in both countries, these treasures were stored away and forgotten -- until the film "Iron Jawed Angels" appeared in 2004, reminding us what our fore-mothers 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.
In lovely original condition, this is a piece with great investment potential. It measures about 1 7/8 inches across, but seems larger due to its highly dimensional construction and the lavish quantity of stones.
Besides wearing it conventionally, the pin would look fabulous attached to a wide ribbon choker and it could also be a pendant, suspended from narrow ribbon run through the cutwork.
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 Suffragette Pendant Necklace c 1900
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Rhinestone:
Pre 1900 item# 647583
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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This exciting antique Suffragette necklace features a spectacular array of fancy-cut art glass stones that glow like fine jade in rich green, marbled with white. The heart-shaped upper part of the articulated pendant holds an oval cabochon, while the lower part features three teardrop cabochons surrounding a multi-faceted pyramid and has accents of faux amethyst and pearl at the outer edges of each heart-shaped "petal".
Based on their quality, these stones must be Bohemian, and I expect the whole necklace was crafted there, since the ornate gilt metalwork is also typically Austro-Hungarian. Each part of the pendant is domed and lavished with curvy Art Nouveau scrollwork, and the lovely links of the chain are finely detailed, too, as is the box clasp, which has floral patterning and cutouts.
Being a Suffragette jewel, as indicated by the colors, it would have been made for export to England or the U.S. As you know if you collect jewelry of this type, the unusual color combination had great meaning for early feminists. 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. Although forgotten for many years, these jewels have been rapidly gaining value since the star-studded TV 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're very fortunate in being able to offer you this splendid piece from a Minnesota estate. It was certainly a jewel prized by its first owner and it's been equally cherished by her heirs. Every bit of the necklace is obviously original and it's in wonderful condition. Minor wear to the gilt and stones is evident only under magnification. Length is 16 inches, plus about 2.5 inches for the pendant. Its elaborately jeweled lower element is quite large: about 1.5 inches round. Most likely dating is circa 1895 - 1905, although it could be a bit earlier.
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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