Antique Czech Diamond and Aquamarine Paste Necklace
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Pre 1920 item# 721153
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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The "Czecho" signature on this gorgeous antique necklace lets us date it quite precisely to the first years of the Czech Republic (between 1918 and the early 1920s). The region was previously known as Bohemia, part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until World War I ended, and Bohemian glass has been prized from medieval times. The beautiful old pastes here certainly live up to the area's reputation -- all of them still gleaming brightly after nearly 100 years, including three dainty ones set into the clasp.
Although the dating is technically transitional, falling between the death of King Edward and the period dominated by Art Deco style, the necklace is extremely Edwardian in spirit: delicate and refined. The Edwardians loved an icy white-on-white look, accented by pastels (as opposed to the strong colors used later in the 1920s) and they adored dangling drops and droplets, as well as the graceful drape of articulated mountings like these. Each diamond paste is prong-set within its own frame that moves freely.
Fourteen and a half inches long, a little more than choker length, the necklace reached us from a New York estate in lovely condition, as you see. The only flaw I've found is age-appropriate surface wear on the back, where white metal plating covers underlying brass. This is hard to notice without high magnification and wouldn't been seen at all when the necklace is on.
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Fascinating German Art Deco Brooch and Earrings Set
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Pre 1930 item# 720774
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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Here's a truly exciting antique demi-parure from "Cabaret"-era Germany. There's something marvelously wicked about roses in the colors of midnight moonlight, each holding a brilliant rhinestone dewdrop -- and there's something quite magical about the fact that they weigh no more than a breeze. They're of aluminum enameled in matte black, and the ornately stamped petal edges glitter with mock-marcasites.
This spectacular, highly dimensional set is a triumph of doing much with little, and you'll remember that extremely hard times befell Germany after World War I, due to the savage terms of the Versailles Treaty (which unfortunately contributed to Hitler's rise). Obviously, not much jewelry was made there in the Deco era -- or even in later Retro times, when materials were devoted to another war effort. Their rarity makes these pieces all the more special -- and there's extra poignance in the fact that they seem to have been worn very little, if at all, suggesting that the original owner didn't survive the next war (or at least had to leave them behind in the chaos). That they're marked "Made in Germany" means they can't possibly be post-WWII, when the country was divided into East and West, nor did Germany export to English-speaking markets after war broke out, so common sense and the Deco styling tie the set firmly to the 1920s or early 1930s.
Somehow it reached an estate in the Upper Midwest and from there came to us. The brooch is about 2 inches round and the earrings are about 1.25 inches round. Condition, as you see, is pristine. I love how perfectly these jewels evoke a brief but momentous period of European history and hope you will, too!
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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1920s Art Deco Jeweled Suffragette Earrings
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Pre 1930 item# 706912
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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Sold; thank you! $135.
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When green, violet and white appear together on historic jewelry, this unusual color combination typically signifies that the piece was first owned by a member of the Suffragette movement -- for whom 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 well understood by everyone in the days 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 dates from the Art Deco era.
These spectacular earrings were among the last examples, dating from the 1920s. By American 75-year standards, they're already antique, not just vintage. Richly embellished with faux pearls, amethysts and beautifully marbled jade(probably Czech), the earrings are highly dimensional and of excellent quality, with a nice heft. Each measures about 1 inch by 1 1/4 inches. The gilt metal features lattice-like detail and cutwork and its color is prettily patinated by age, not brassy. Based on dating, they were most likely made in England (although they could be American, produced in celebration of the Suffragettes' recent triumph here). Condition of the earrings is lovely and the original screw backs are present. Interestingly, we had this same design once before, but with lavender jades as the central stones and accents of emerald and pearl. It's beautiful, either way.
Suffragette jewelry has been rapidly gaining value since the movie "Iron Jawed Angels" appeared in 2004, revealing what those 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. These reached us from an East Coast estate.
Thanks for looking!
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Spectacular Antique Suffragette Bracelet
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Pre 1920 item# 696685
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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Sold; thank you!
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& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
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When green, violet and white appear together on historic jewelry, this unusual color combination typically signifies that the piece was first owned by a member of the Suffragette movement -- for whom 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 dates from the Art Deco era.
In the case of this bracelet, we have to rule out Edwardian times, because it's so substantial: weighing more than 55 grams. Edwardian jewels tended to be delicate and airy, as you know, and they often featured white metals. Thus, it must be Victorian or post-World War I. The design is certainly Art Nouveau, being loaded with curves and scrollwork, and the four domed plaques are joined by engraved bookchain links that are typically 19th century. The only thing that argues for a later dating is its amazing condition. The gilding remains bright, the gorgeous stones are in great shape and the only signs of wear evident without high magnification are on the links, which seem to be of softer gilt brass rather than gilt bronze. Heavy wear is unusual on Suffragette jewelry, though, since most people wore it only occasionally and tucked it away after the vote was gained. Of course the bracelet is now an antique, by American 75-year standards, whether made in the 1890s or a couple of decades later.
From an estate in the Pacific Northwest, it measures about 7.5 inches long, 1.25 inches wide and more than half an inch tall. The layered construction and very large green stones make it highly dimensional. In addition to the 8 big crescents of faux jade (very beautifully marbled), there are 8 faceted amethyst pastes and 4 faux pearls. All appear original. The jades are most likely Bohemian (or Czech, if fashioned after WWI), but the amethysts and pearls could be French and I'm inclined to think the setting is French, since working with gilt bronze has been a specialty there for centuries.
Suffragette jewelry has steadily risen in price 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 have serious investment value, too.
There's no charge for insured U.S. Priority 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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Gorgeous Antique Suffragette Brooch circa 1920
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Pre 1920 item# 691577
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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That this exquisite Suffragette brooch comes from a Rhode Island estate adds particular interest, since that state was a major jewelry production center in the early 20th century. Many of the most talented designers and artisans worked for companies located there, and no doubt also created jewels on the side.
This brooch isn't marked, but obviously is by a master with access to excellent materials. The substantial weight of it will surprise you, as will the quality of the art glass and metalwork. Details incorporate Art Nouveau scrollwork plus Arts and Crafts influences seen in the cabochon cut and collet settings of the amethyst, emerald and baroque pearl. The richly textured reverse is beautiful, too.
The brooch is in such fabulous shape that you'd almost mistake it for new. However, great age is indicated by the findings. While an early safety clasp is present, the pinstem moves with that wonderful side-to-side wobble that says you've got a true antique. Around 1920 would be right for this hardware. Also arguing for that approximate dating is the size of the brooch. At three inches long, it's larger than earlier bar pins, evolving toward Art Deco boldness.
I expect the original owner acquired it very shortly before the vote was gained for all American women in 1920, or perhaps in celebration of the event, and then stored it away very carefully. There's really no other way to explain its virtually pristine condition. It takes serious searching with a loupe to find any signs of surface wear to the gilding or glass.
As you know if you collect jewelry of this type, the unusual color combination had deep 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. Forgotten for decades, Suffragette jewelry has 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 our best to keep a good selection, but demand keeps growing. If this strikes your fancy, you'd better not delay.
As always, we offer free insured U.S. shipping (or an equivalent discount for international customers). 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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Rare Antique Victorian Earrings with Screw Posts c 1890
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Pre 1900 item# 687914
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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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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Beautiful circa 1920 Jeweled Suffragette Dome Brooch
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Pre 1920 item# 652596
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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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
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Rhinestone:
Pre 1900 item# 647583
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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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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1920s Art Deco Jeweled Suffragette Earrings
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Rhinestone:
Pre 1930 item# 588754
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
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When green, violet and white appear together on historic jewelry, this unusual color combination typically signifies that the piece was first owned by a member of the Suffragette movement -- for whom 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 well understood by everyone in the days 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 dates from the Art Deco era.
These spectacular earrings were among the last examples, dating from the 1920s. By American 75-year standards, they're already antique, not just vintage. Richly embellished with faux pearls, emeralds and amethysts (probably Czech), the earrings are highly dimensional and of excellent quality, with a nice heft. Each measures about 1 inch by 1 1/4 inches. The gilt metal features lattice-like detail and cutwork and its color is prettily patinated by age, not brassy. Based on dating, they were most likely made in England (although they could be American, produced in celebration of the Suffragettes' recent triumph here). Condition of the earrings is lovely and the original screw backs are present.
Suffragette jewelry has been rapidly gaining value since the star-studded TV movie "Iron Jawed Angels" appeared in 2004, revealing what those 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. These reached us from a Midwestern 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!
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Antique c1910 Large Art Nouveau Suffragette Brooch
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Rhinestone:
Pre 1920 item# 537002
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
|
When green, violet and white appear together on historic jewelry, this unusual color combination typically signifies that the piece was first owned by a member of the Suffragette movement -- for whom 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 dates from the Art Deco era.
Dating of this spectacular brooch would have to be before the end of World War I, because Art Nouveau was out of fashion afterwards. Its graceful, asymmetrical curves and natural forms gave way to the symmetry and hard-edged geometry of Deco design. Because of the early safety clasp, as opposed to an open C, we can rule out the 19th century -- even though the brooch does have an older sort of hinge, which lets the pinstem wobble a bit from side to side, and originally it had an elongated pinstem (shortened at some point for safety). I believe we're on firm ground in saying it was made between 1905 and 1918 -- most likely circa 1910-1914, before guns began blazing across Europe. I say this because it looks so European in terms of the gorgeous glass, fine craftsmanship and overall opulence. Faux pearls, diamonds, amethysts and peridots are featured, along with exquisite art glass leaves that look like carved amethysts or purple jade. Even the back is beautifully detailed with the veining of leaves and the gilding is so heavy that it's still bright almost 100 years later.
I expect this treasure was made for the export market in Bohemia (later Czechoslovakia, after World War I swept the Austro-Hungarian Empire off the map). About 2 1/2 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches tall, it's a jewel of impressive size. Its form is slightly domed and the stones add further dimension. Openwork keeps it from being overly weighty, but there's still a good bit of heft. Condition, as you see, is extraordinary. If some stones were replaced through the years, as is almost inevitable, they're all very good matches. Most importantly, all those art glass leaves are intact. You aren't likely to see another Suffragette jewel like this anytime soon. In fact, I've never before seen anything comparable.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or requesst more photos. There's no charge for insured U.S. Priority shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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