Petite Georgian or Regency Gold Bangle Bracelet
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Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 317550
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
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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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Rare Figural Stickpin from Empire / Regency Era c 1800
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 313534
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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Price of $165 includes insured U.S. shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Inspired by Napoleon's Egyptian campaign of 1802, women began wearing the most astonishing turbans and pillbox-type hats, the latter usually adorned with an enormous bow-like cockade. That certainly appears to be what we have here, doesn't it?
Like our amazing Empire / Regency era dangle earrings, this stick pin was actually sold to us as Art Nouveau. Not likely. This beauty is made of sterner stuff and her rather severe features are totally different from the pert snub-nosed lasses depicted in portrait jewelry after 1850.
The material appears to be Pomponne - an early copper-based alloy developed in France, which imitates gold so successfully that, like English pinchbeck, it required only light gilding. Attesting to this are a few teensy areas of verdigris and a few with a reddish cast, both noticed only under high magnification. Most of the gilding is gone, of course, though there are some shimmering highlights of high-carat gold, especially on the hat and bow.
This very rare treasure has enormous historic interest and remains in lovely wearable condition, with a sturdy pinstem (probably original but, if not, an expert addition) and no damage I've found except slight abrasion of the lady's nose. We won't see another of these any time soon, I feel sure.
About 2 1/4" long, with a head 3/8" by slightly more than 1/2", this jewel just arrived from a Deep South collection. I can hardly take my eyes off it! You will *definitely* be impressed.
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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Ornate Antique Stickpin with Enamel Eye
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 143619
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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It's hard to date an unmarked stick pin with authority, but I suspect this one is extremely old - 18th century or very early 19th. It simply doesn't look like anything a "modern" (post-1850) person would think to create, does it? Its shapes recall the severity of Georgian furniture and that riveting black enameled "eye" form makes me think immediately of the Classical Revival.
As Georgian fans of mythology knew, the eye was a powerful symbol appearing often on ancient jewelry - thought by the Romans to protect against evil fortune and associated by the Egyptians with the "all-seeing" eye of the god Horus. You should quite safe and visionary, wearing this!
Condition of the piece is superb, overall length is about 2 7/8" and provenance is a Chicago area estate. My guess on material is unmarked low-carat gold, though it could be pinchbeck. I see no evidence of plate loss, which rules out gilded brass.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is also free if desired. Thanks for looking!
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Rare Regency Gilt Lady in Turban Dangle Earrings
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 126413
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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Turbans such as we see in Vermeer paintings became fashionable in Europe as early as the 15th century, when Crusaders saw Middle Eastern dress, and they enjoyed a huge resurgence of popularity throughout Europe soon after Napoleon's Egyptian campaign of 1802. Based upon the turban shown on these remarkable and *very* rare figural earrings - a "pillbox" shape with a large bow-like cockade in front - I date them to the French First Empire or English Regency period. (Technically they're probably Late Georgian, since the Regency didn't officially begin until 1811, but the era is generally considered to span 1790 - 1830.)
Gold was still very scarce in those days (before mid-19th century discoveries by the "forty-niners"), so it isn't surprising that such beautifully made earrings are only gilded. In fact, if they were gold, they'd probably have been melted down to make something considered more "stylish" in the Victorian era. I believe these earrings are surfaced with rose gold, beneath which the underlying metal is white - possibly unmarked silver. Construction is marvelously architectural: done in hand-assembled layers, as is right for the period. The only things decidedly *not* right are the modern replacement wires, which have simply been run through the top of the filigree. Quite large, these fabulous earrings measure almost 2" long, so were perfect for the upswept hairstyles favored then. They're of the pendeloque form, featuring a single drop. (The girandole or chandelier form featured three.) Age-appropriate wear is discernible under magnification but, to the naked eye, these earrings look a century younger. They were actually sold to me as Art Nouveau.
Given that the original wires are long-gone, I'd have security posts (with screw-on nuts) put on, but of course you could have shepherds' crooks of Georgian style fabricated by any competent jeweler.
I honestly don't know how to price an item so old and rare. Nothing remotely comparable turned up in days of searching online - in fact, no Regency or Empire earrings at all. (Imagine keeping up with both parts of a pair for 200 years!) Our price is based on that of impressive Georgian dangle earrings without precious stones, but I expect these are worth a good deal more, since they derive from a much shorter period and are so characteristic of it.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping (certified, in this case) and gift wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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Magnificent 17th Century Embossed Band / Ring
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1700 item# 116033
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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From the same estate collection as our simpler lady's band, also made in the 1600s, this rare and spectacular wedding band is of high carat gold with a deep mellow color. It's beautifully embossed with a stylized heart motif typical of the Renaissance. Today there are many imitations of antique and ancient jewelry, but this is without doubt a true antiquity. That it survived through centuries in this condition is truly remarkable. It has no problems or flaws and has not been resized. Currently it's about a size 2 3/4. You'll remember from "Romeo and Juliet" that Renaissance brides were exceedingly young. Girls married in their early teens or even sooner; hence, the small size of their wedding rings. Also, people were much smaller in those days. Even men's rings from this period are usually in the 5 and 6 size range. This is a choice piece for anyone who collects very early and remarkable rings. Resizing an ancient item of this quality would be a shame, but it could be worn proudly as a pinky ring or pendant.
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Superb 17th C. (1600's) Gold Wedding Band
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1700 item# 116031
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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From the same estate collection as our embossed woman's ring, also made in the 17th century, this most unusual wedding band is of solid gold with a rosy cast. It's in excellent condition without problems or flaws and has not been resized. Currently it's about a size 3. You'll remember from "Romeo and Juliet" that Renaissance brides were exceedingly young. Girls married in their early teens or even sooner; hence, the small size of their wedding rings. This is a choice piece for anyone who collects very early and remarkable rings. It could be worn as a pinky ring or pendant, or possibly resized by an expert jeweler.
No charge for gift wrap and insured U.S. shipping.
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Fine Georgian or Early Victorian Lily Brooch
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 113924
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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Price of $180 includes insured shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Based on its construction and because the metal is gilt bronze, rather than brass, I believe this delightful jewel dates from the 18th century. It's a simply gorgeous piece, 1 1/4" in diameter, featuring a lovely calla lily within a rondel. Of course it's hand-made and one of a kind, with the "C" clasp, elongated pinstem and rich patina that attest to great age. Signs of wear, in a piece this old, only add to its charm in my opinion - but our price reflect their presence. This would cost a great deal more, if perfect (and would probably be mistaken for an Arts and Crafts pin a century younger).
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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Superb 17th C. (1600's) Gold Wedding Band
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1700 item# 112521
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click for details
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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From the same estate collection as our embossed woman's ring, also made in the 17th century, this most unusual wedding band is of solid gold with a rosy cast. It's in excellent condition without problems or flaws and has not been resized. Currently it's about a size 3. You'll remember from "Romeo and Juliet" that Renaissance brides were exceedingly young. Girls married in their early teens or even sooner; hence, the small size of their wedding rings. This is a choice piece for anyone who collects very early and remarkable rings. It could be worn as a pinky ring or pendant, or possibly resized by an expert jeweler.
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Medieval Gold & Cabochon Ruby Ring pre-13th C
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1492 item# 99040
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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RARE MUSEUM-QUALITY RING - 13TH CENTURY OR EARLIER. NEAR-MINT.
This superb ring must have been brand-new when the lady lost it, for it was recovered from English earth in perfect condition centuries later - at least seven centuries later, since it was made before goldmarking began! A dainty US size 5 or so, this is truly an astonishing piece of history. Remember, gold marks were regularly used in England at least from 1300, so this ring has to be at least 700 years old and yet is as wearable as if made yesterday.
Please e-mail erinharris@comcast.net for more photos, if you're interested in this as a treat for yourself or a gift for someone very, very special.
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