Stunning c1900 Arts & Crafts Silver & Goldstone Ring
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Pre 1910 item# 938660
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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A stunning choice for either a woman or a man, this antique ring is quintessentially Arts & Crafts. Unusual stones, mounted simply but artfully (typically in silver), are characteristic of the movement. Its adherents wanted design and craftsmanship to dominate.
Among their favorite materials was glittering goldstone: an art glass created by adding copper crystals to produce brilliant flashes of light called aventuresence. Here a large cabochon of it has been polished to a fare-thee-well and set in a classic open-backed bezel, then given a medievalist look by framing it with four curliques cleverly formed from the ends of the dual shank. The shank unites at the rear, making it easy to alter the size, now about a US 5.25. (I say "about" because different ring sizing equipment yields results that vary up to half a size, as our fingers also do with temperature and time of day.) The band is slightly out of round, a common condition that most jewelers will correct in a jiffy while you watch.
The ring's face measures 3/4" by 11/16" and its provenance is a Missouri estate. Nearby Chicago was a hotbed of outstanding Arts & Crafts metalwork, so I'll bet the ring originated there. Its quality is such that it simply had to come from a major city. As is often the case with antique jewelry, no mark is visible -- none were required in the U.S. until shortly before WWI -- but the silver looks to be sterling grade or close. Condition is excellent, requiring high magnification to notice any surface wear. A fair amount of tarnish is present, which in deference to the purists among us we'll leave in place.
There's no charge for insured U.S. Priority 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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Exquisite Antique Arts and Crafts Suffragette Brooch
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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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Antique Arts and Crafts Blister Pearl Sterling Ring
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Pre 1910 item# 531772
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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Unusual stones, mounted simply but artfully, are characteristic of Arts & Crafts jewelry and this blister pearl ring from an East Coast estate is a stunning example. It also shows Art Nouveau influence in the curvy lines of the shoulders. This jewel dates circa 1890-1910, I feel sure - making it late Victorian or Edwardian.
The ring's face measures about 3/4" by 1/2", as does the stone since it's framed by a narrow bezel. Highly dimensional, the pearl rises more than 1/4" above the finger and shimmers with iridescent shades of sea green, cyan, lilac, amber, ivory and rose coral. Signed Sterling and certainly hand-made, the ring is a U.S. size 4 - 4.5, easily changed since the back of the shank isn't ornamented. (We state sizes as a range, since different types of sizing equipment yield results that vary up to half a size, as our fingers also do with changes in temperature and time of day.)
Innovative jewelry designers went nuts for blister pearls, when the first were cultivated around 1890. If you love them, too, be sure to see our beautiful brooch and stickpin, as well as two other splendid rings from the same period. If you're interested in more than one piece, we can work out special pricing.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking.
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Fine 1890s Arts and Crafts Blister Pearl Sterling Ring
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Pre 1900 item# 523943
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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This spectacular antique Victorian ring dates most likely from the 1890s, the last great period of hand-made jewelry. That was when French scientist Louis Bouton began his work with abalone pearl cultivation. His remarkably shaped and colored "blister" pearls quickly captured the imaginations of innovative jewelry designers. Each pearl, BTW, took about two years to develop.
This one was definitely worth the time and trouble. It's a dramatically dimensional, very high-nacre stone - shimmering with iridescent shades of sea green, amber, ivory and rose coral - and it measures about 5/8" x 1/2", which pretty well covers the lower knuckle. The mount is exquisite, too, with sides detailed like graceful Gothic brackets and a simple bezel frame for the pearl cabochon.
Condition, as you see, is lovely and likely origin would be American, given the absence of hallmarks on what's obviously high-grade silver, probably sterling. Marks weren't yet required in this country. The ring appears to have been expertly resized at the back at some point, so you'll do it no damage by sizing again if you need to. It's currently a U.S. 4.5 - 5. (We state sizes as a range, since different types of sizing equipment yield results that vary up to half a size, as our fingers also do with changes in temperature and time of day.)
BTW, we now have three gorgeous antique blister pearl rings in stock, in case you need similar gifts for two or three people. If interested in a multiple purchase, we can work out special pricing.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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Gorgeous Arts & Crafts Blister Pearl Sterling Necklace
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Pre 1900 item# 469425
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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Obviously a handmade one-of-a-kind jewel, this stunning pendant from a Florida estate *screams* Arts & Crafts - both in the choice of such an unusual stone and in the style of its setting. Personally I'm crazy about blister pearls. They still have a fresh and unexpected appeal, just as they did when first cultivated around 1890. Innovative Victorian jewelry designers took to them right away, particularly those associated with the Arts and Crafts movement.
The pearl here shows even more iridescent colors than were captured in our photographs, and it's set amid beautifully detailed foliate accents: two perky leaves and a twining vine of twisted silver. Size is slightly more than 1 1/2" long x 1/2" wide and the reverse is marked Sterling (rather than the later 925). The accompanying 14 1/2" plated chain isn't original, but is a nice match and not much younger (probably 1920s, compared to 1890s for the pendant). We've left the patina of age in place, but of course it can be polished off, if you prefer a brighter look.
Additionally in stock now is a sensational antique blister pearl bracelet on silver chain. These two pieces look fantastic together so, if you're interested in both, please e-mail and we'll work out very special pricing. We also have some great blister pearl stickpins on sale.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is also free on request. Thanks for looking!
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Bewitching Antique 'Green Man' Sterling Earrings
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Pre 1940 item# 156553
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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These spellbinding earrings feature * The Face in the Leaves* - a symbol of great power and antiquity, which was first specifically termed the 'Green Man' in 1939. There was then great interest in these figures, which appear in medieval churches and cathedrals throughout the British Isles. Throughout history, various cultures have used this sort of imagery, which is related to the mysteries of life, death and rebirth.
Our stunning hand-made earrings adorned with a leaf-wreathed face date from the Deco era, based on their prettily ornamented early clip fittings, obviously original, and other details. There's a strong Arts & Crafts influence, with slight variations in each earring's form and finish indicating they were individually wrought by hand. Also, they're stamped Sterling (rather than the later 925). Quite possibly of Celtic origin, these treasures measure about 1" x 1" and are in excellent vintage condition. Provenance is a South Carolina estate.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Arts and Crafts Stickpin Sterling with Blister Pearl
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Pre 1910 item# 156545
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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Lately I've fallen in love with blister pearls - just as the most avant-garde Victorian designers did when they were first cultivated in abalone shells during the 1890s. They still have a fresh and unexpected look, and are absolutely marvelous in classic Arts & Crafts bezel settings like this one.
The stick pin's top is marked Sterling and, lest you miss that, the stock (probably steel, since it's in such great shape) is also marked Sterling Top. The patina of age is strongly present, particularly on the back. Even I - fan of patina that I am - can barely resist the impulse to polish this piece! Overall length is 2 5/8", of which the spectacular stone-set mount comprises almost an inch in height (and is about 3/8" wide). Provenance is a Florida estate and probable dating would be 1895 - 1910, making the jewel late Victorian or Edwardian.
Thanks for looking!
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Victorian Arts & Crafts Blister Pearl & Sterling Brooch
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Pre 1920 item# 151729
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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Unusual stones, mounted simply but artfully, are a hallmark of the most interesting Arts & Crafts jewelry and this blister pearl brooch from a New England estate is a splendid example. It also shows Art Nouveau influence in the wonderfully curvaceous setting. This jewel dates circa 1890-1910, I feel sure - making it late Victorian or Edwardian. Size is a restrained 1" wide, but this jewel makes a major statement due to the depth and remarkable color of the stone, as well as its graceful silver framing.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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Handmade Arts and Crafts Blister Pearl Charm Bracelet
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Pre 1920 item# 143626
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
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Undoubtedly one-of-a-kind and obviously hand-made, this gorgeous antique bracelet *screams* Arts & Crafts, both in the maker's choice of such unusual stones and in the style of their mounting. Its FIVE stunning blister pearl charms have even more exotic shapes and colors than are evident in our photo, and the delicate chain and delightfully detailed early pearl clasp are beyond reasonable doubt original.
Blister pearls, as you may know, enchanted innovative jewelry designers of the Late Victorian and Edwardian eras. I'd date this piece no later than circa 1910-20, the transitional period that preceded Art Deco. Age-appropriate surface wear allows the warmth of underlying brass to glimmer on the silver-plated chain's high spots (a nice complement to the russety tones of the pearls). Provenance is a Philadelphia area estate.
Additionally in stock now are a sensational antique blister pearl brooch, a pendant necklace and two stickpins, any of which would look superb with this bracelet. If you're interested in more than one piece, we can work out very special pricing.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Lovely Moonstone & Silver 'Crystal Ball' Ring
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Pre 1950 item# 121544
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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The moonstone cabochon in this delightful vintage ring looks like a crystal ball to me. Who knows what marvels can be seen in its depths?
On the surface, what can be seen in exquisite craftsmanship - with fascinating extra-long prongs - and a gorgeous stone you can lose yourself in. The metal appears to be unmarked silver, the gemstone measures a whopping 3/4" round and current ring size, easily altered, is 6 1/2. Arts and Crafts influence is strong, as is a hint of Modernism, so likely dating would be early to mid-20th century. Condition is excellent.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is also free if desired. Please e-mail erinharris@comcast.net to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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