Rare c1800 Filigree Brooch Pendant, Hair Enclosure
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 478776
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(And Gift-Wrap if Desired)
Layaway Terms Available.
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Enormously impressive for its beauty, size and great age, this superbly handcrafted pendant brooch is almost certainly of Imperial Russian origin. Everything about the graceful and intricate filigree work indicates that's true: the form of the flower bud and leaves, the ball shapes signifying morning dew and such details as smooth and twisted wires of varying sizes, as well as flattened ribbons of silver.
Its fittings are characteristic of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when the traditions of Russian filigree were established. Two large T hinges are present, one securing the pinstem and the other for a rock crystal compartment on the reverse -- probably meant to hold a loved one's hair, so this could have been made as a mourning brooch (although the romantic design make me think it was more likely a love token than a memorial). There's also a hook from which the ornate bale can be removed.
With the bale in place, this jewel is more than 3 inches tall! Width is 1 3/4" and the elaborate central dome rises to a height of 3/4". Regarding the dome, notice the assymetrical placement of the flower bud and leaves, which suggests the Rococo era.
Given all the care and skill that went into crafting this masterpiece, it must've had hallmarks originally, but time has worn them away. Of course signs of wear are apparent under magnification and there may have been minor old repairs, but overall condition is remarkably fine relative to age and the fragility of filigree. Provenance is a Massachusetts estate.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Huge & Very Rare Regency Engraved Sterling Ring
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 143644
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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If you're looking for something very fine and very different, this ring could be it. As you know, not much jewelry from earlier times survived the Victorian "meltdown." They were so confident their taste could improve on all that came before that few of us have even *seen* jewels from that brief period known as the Regency. Here's an extremely rare opportunity to own one.
Hallmarked for 1830 Birmingham, the last year of George IV's reign (which he began as Prince Regent), this superbly hand-engraved band fully lives up to the legendary elegance of that era so exquisitely described by Austen and Thackeray. This piece is certainly of sufficient quality to be considered as a wedding band. Spectacularly wide (7/8"), it's features freeform foliate scrollwork with an irregularly shaped shield for monogramming. This monogram area hasn't yet been used; is it waiting for you?
About a U.S. size 8, this treasure could be worn beautifully by a woman (probably on the middle finger) or by a man. The form slightly tapers to fit the finger better and, although it can't be conventionally resized, "speed bumps" (tiny dots of metal) could be applied inside to make it a little smaller.
In astounding condition considering its age and the delicacy of sterling silver, the ring has obviously seen little, if any, wear. Its engraving remains crisp and I see no signs of damage apart from a few tiny dimples, two of which are on the surface of the shield and could be smoothed when a monogram is added there.
Our photo shows the piece from four angles. To request more images, confirm availability or order, please e-mail. There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift wrap is also free if desired.
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Huge Sterling Silver Filigree Zeeland Brooch 1780-1800
Catalogue:
Archives:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1900 item# 114183
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click for details
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you! $220.
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From the Netherlands, where 18th century Zeeland residents developed pins of this type as part of their regional costume, our beautiful example is MASSIVE. It measures a little more than 1 1/2" in diameter and nearly an inch high, its shape being prominently domed, and is marked 835 for silver (their "sterling" standard). The reverse is intricately filigreed.
Considering its very great age and the softness of high-grade silver, this beauty in remarkably good condition, though far from perfect. It's a truly spectacular, conversation-piece item of a sort seldom seen outside Europe.
Thanks for looking!
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