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Vintage Czech Bridal White Woven Bead Bracelet
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Unsigned:
Pre 1950 item# 952045
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$45 SALE
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A wonderful match for our braided necklace of the same pattern, this lovely bracelet fresh from a Midwestern estate is comprised of tiny white glass beads, the kind often called "sugar crystals." Strands of them are intricately braided together to form it. Lots of work went into jewels of this type, most of which are of Czech origin and date from the 1930s or 1940s. (Braided and twisted designs were also popular in the 1950s, but those tended to be much larger and of mixed materials.)
The visible woven area is 7 inches long, to which the end caps and fastener add about another 3/4 inch. Width tapers subtly from half an inch to 3/8 inch at the ends. Condition is excellent; it takes high magnification even to notice surface wear on the end caps.
One of the bracelet's jump rings is marked Czechoslovak and the jump rings and clasp on the necklace are identical, so we feel confident both are Czech. The beads on the bracelet have a slight pearly iridescence, whereas the necklace is matte, but that small difference wouldn't be noticed when worn. If you're interested in both pieces, let us know and we'll work out special pricing. They're already on sale, but we can do even better on a combined purchase.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping, with an equivalent discount on international delivery. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Gorgeous Antique Suffragette Earrings WW I Era
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Rhinestone:
Pre 1920 item# 945447
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$135
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The "Czecho" signature on these lovely Suffragette earrings lets us date them precisely to the first years of the Czech Republic (established in 1918). The region was previously known as Bohemia, part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until World War I ended. Bohemian glass has been prized from medieval times and the stones here certainly live up to the area's reputation. Its enamelwork was admired, too, and that features here, as well.
Although the dating is technically transitional, falling between the death of King Edward and the period dominated by geometric Art Deco style, these earrings are extremely Edwardian in spirit, so would have been crafted soon after the war. The screw backs are also right for that period, when women found ear-piercing rather barbaric.
I especially love the fresh apple green of the emerald-cut faux peridots, which repeats in tiny round stones on both white-enameled blossoms. Stronger hues come into play, in accents of faux emerald and amethyst.
As you know if you collect Suffragette jewelry, this unusual color combination held deep meaning among 19th century and early 20th century feminists, 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.
Measuring about 3/4 of an inch tall and a 5/8 of an inch wide, these are large enough to be noticed easily, but not overpowering. They reached us from a St. Louis estate in superb condition -- not unusual, because Suffragette jewels were worn typically for meetings and marches, rather than on an everyday basis. Assuming careful storage, the stones and even the gilt metal settings can look practically new. In this case, only the actual screws have darkened with age, since those weren't gilded.
Tucked away and forgotten for decades after women won the vote, Suffragette jewelry began rapidly gaining value when the movie "Iron Jawed Angels" appeared in 2004, revealing what the gals went through (including hunger strikes and beatings). We try our best to maintain a good selection, but demand keeps growing. If these strike your fancy, you'd better not delay.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping, with an equivalent discount on international delivery. Please e-mail erinharris@comcast.net to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Remarkable Domed Antique Ring in Suffragette Colors
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Rhinestone:
Pre 1930 item# 938646
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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As you know if you collect Suffragette jewelry, rings are the holy grail. Of the few made, most are very fine and priced accordingly. An example with faux gems is a rare find, especially one this impressive in size.
Its condition is wonderful, too, but that isn't so unusual. Because Suffragette jewels of all types were worn typically for meetings and marches, not on an everyday basis, they've often survived looking nearly new, assuming careful storage.
This ring is just about flawless. Only under extremely high magnification can any surface wear be noted on its stones, even the glass pearls, or on high points of the gilded surface -- a ruffly round of heart-shaped scrollwork crowned by a richly colored dome of pretend emeralds, pearls and amethyst.
Slightly more than inch in diameter, this is a jewel that can't be overlooked, and its shank is adjustable to fit any finger. The Art Nouveau styling would lead me to call it Victorian -- and it may be -- but the sensational condition suggests a more conservative circa 1920 dating. As you know, American women attained the vote in 1920, but it took until 1928 for all women in England to be included. Probable origin is Czech (or Bohemian, if made before WWI dissolved the old Austro-Hungarian Empire). The ring reached us from a Midwestern estate.
The unusual color combination held deep meaning among 19th century and early 20th century feminists, 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.
Tucked away and forgotten for decades, Suffragette jewelry began rapidly gaining value when the movie "Iron Jawed Angels" appeared in 2004, revealing what the gals went through (including hunger strikes and beatings). We try our best to maintain a good selection, but demand keeps growing. At present, we have several necklaces, brooches and earring sets in stock, but we've never had the opportunity to offer a costume ring before. If it strikes your fancy, you'd better not delay.
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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Antique Art Nouveau Suffragette Dangle Earrings
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Rhinestone:
Pre 1920 item# 935281
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$145
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Dating from the very early 20th century, these spectacular antique earrings make their feminist statement in a pretty, flirty way -- with a profusion of Art Nouveau details, loads of jewels and a graceful form that sets the drops dancing as you move.
Both the surmounts and the drops are highly dimensional, Adorning them are two huge cabochons of art glass (or possibly Galalith) jade, four sparkling amethyst pastes and four faux pearls. They measure about 2.25 inches long and .75 inch wide
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. 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 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.
These earrings, which reached us from a estate in the Carolinas, probably originated in Europe, quite possibly France. They're quite substantial piece and in lovely condition. A little age-appropriate surface wear can be noted on the reverse, but the front shows only the patina of time and all stones appear original. Based on the ornate screw-type fasteners, most likely dating is circa 1910 - 1920, although they could be a little earlier or later.
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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Graceful Antique Art Deco Diamante Dress Clips Pair
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Clips:
Pre 1930 item# 835108
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$89 SALE (Reduced from $129)
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These curvaceous antique clips are ultra-feminine, and they're beautifully paved with diamond pastes of a more subtle hue than modern rhinestones. All are obviously original. Because the stones are of this early type, the look is dazzling white-on-white and overall design shows Edwardian and Art Nouveau influences, along with Deco, we date the clips no later than the 1920s. Each measures about 1 1/2 inches tall and 3/4 inch wide and has four nicely sharp prongs at the back.
The metal surface appears to be rhodium, a member of the hard-wearing, tarnish-free platinum family. Condition is lovely, with only a couple of stones slightly dimmed and one darkened. Personally I love these little variations in color that prove great age, but your jeweler can easily replace the dark one for a few dollars, if it bothers you.
Glitzy clips like these once made "sweetheart" necklines sweeter. Today I love to see them flashing on lapels and pockets. They're also great as barrettes and accents for scarves, handbags, hats and shoes. You can even slip them over ribbons to wear as a dzzling necklace and bracelet set. They're endlessly versatile, which is what clips were all about!
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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Glamorous Antique German Art Deco Brooch Earrings Set
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Rhinestone:
Pre 1940 item# 723174
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$170
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Between the two world wars, Weimar Germany was a hotbed of creativity. Their museums led the world in showcasing modern art, their cabarets were the raciest and the Bauhaus blazed trails in architecture and industrial design. Of course Hitler soon spoiled the party, but those innovative times are remembered in jewelry like this.
Our remarkable German brooch and earrings set takes Art Deco style to extremes of inventiveness in terms of sculptural form, bold graphic patterning and even use of materials. The jewels are formed of aluminum! The gently cupped discs are brushed to a cool matte finish for the background, but polished to scintillating brightness where the stylized light rays appear -- and, in the center of each piece is a dome piled high with prismic diamond rhinestones.
The Deco era idolized speed -- fast cars and planes -- and aluminum evokes that spirit superbly. It also allows for jewels to be quite large without much weight at all. It further had the benefit of being inexpensive, which was vital in those years of hardship imposed by Germany's burden of World War I reparation payments. Their economy was in shambles long before the Depression hit elsewhere. Jewels such as these -- which, with only artistry and time, transformed simple aluminum and glass into dazzlers -- capture a great deal of poignant history.
Marked "Germany," they were clearly made for export to English-speaking markets that soon closed with Hitler's rise and conversion to a war economy. Since post-war products were designated as West or East German for many decades to come, the set can have been made only in the 1920s or early 1930s. The earring fasteners, being an experimental narrow form of clip, suggest a circa 1930 dating. Screw backs were typical of the 1920s and modern wide clips of the type we still see were introduced in 1934.
Still with every rhinestone sparkling and in lovely condition overall, the brooch measures 2 inches round and the earrings 1.5 inches round. The only flaw I see is that the brooch mechanism revolves around the rivet, which has created slight surface wear at the back. When pinned on, of course it wouldn't move around, but you might want your jeweler to tighten the fastener. Provenance of these beauties is an estate in the Great Lakes area.
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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Art Deco Moderne Copper Athena Goddess Earrings
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Unsigned:
Pre 1930 item# 723110
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$98
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A perfect gift for one of the goddesses in your life -- or a treat for yourself to wear whenever you want a little extra magic -- these antique copper dangle earrings have a really powerful presence. They aren't massive, but simply packed with style, dimension and gleaming color. It's hard to look away from them.
Athena was the goddess of wisdom and handicrafts, but is pictured most often helmeted, in her guise as goddess of war -- meaning the more disciplined, strategic side of it. In ancient Greek mythology, she advised heroes including Odysseus, Jason and Heracles. Hers is definitely a useful spirit to have whispering in your ear!
Here she's shown as a proud Deco era beauty with a streamlined helmet defined by sweeping lines that project speed and dynamism. Athena's gorgeous profile in high relief is backed by flat metal and anchored to a rope-twist hoop that dangles from a sleek button top. The earrings are entirely of copper, except for screw fasteners of white metal, which can easily be slipped off and replaced by hooks, if you prefer them.
The drops measure just under an inch round and total hanging length is just under 1.5 inches -- suggesting that the dimensions are exact by European measurement. Most likely origin is France (where Art Deco design was called Moderne) and probable dating would be 1925-1930. Condition, as you see, is fantastic and provenance is a Midwestern estate that contained other little-worn jewels from this era.
There's no charge for insured U.S. Priority shipping and glamorous 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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1930s Vintage Egyptian Revival Pink Cartouche Earrings
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Unsigned:
Pre 1940 item# 723082
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$85
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Most of us know the discovery of King Tut's tomb and the first worldwide tour of his treasures led to a rage for Egyptian-styled jewelry in the Art Deco era. Fewer are aware there were earlier Egyptian crazes (circa 1800, inspired by Napoleon's campaign in North Africa, and again in Victorian times, prompted by major archaeological discoveries and the opening of the Suez Canal). Further, the tomb's bounty toured museums once more in the 1970s and another revival of the style took place. Because of this, you always have to look very carefully at jewels with an Egyptian motif, to determine when they were made.
These earrings, I've decided, come from the 1930s, late in the Art Deco period. Their color is decidedly early 20th century; this grayed-down pink suited the icy Edwardian palette and was held over, even though richer jewel tones also entered the mix after World War I. Screw-type fasteners also suggest origin before 1940, when clips became dominant after phasing in for a few years. The reason why we have to rule out the 1920s is because the plastic isn't Bakelite or celluoid. Its brilliant finish suggests lucite, which wasn't developed until 1931. By then the Great Depression was on and popular taste favored the cheap and cheerful, leading to the heyday of a genre known as "art plastic" into which the earrings fall. All the intricate Egyptian details -- bird, ankh, crook, flail, feather and so forth -- that are molded here are also hand-painted. Under close inspection, age-appropriate surface wear can be noted both to the black paint and gilding of the metalwork. Thus, although the earrings look rather new at a glance, they really can't be; they just haven't been worn much. Dating circa 1932-1935, they'll very soon be antique, by American 75-year standards, if they aren't already.
Size is about 1 inch tall and 3/4 of an inch wide, big enough to make a statement without overwhelming, and of course these fasteners could be easily replaced by posts, if you prefer them. Provenance is a Midwestern estate.
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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Exciting Big Antique Art Deco Egyptian Revival Earrings
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Unsigned:
Pre 1930 item# 721145
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$140
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Most of us know the discovery of King Tut's tomb in the 1920s led to a craze for Egyptian-styled jewelry. Fewer are aware there were earlier Egyptian crazes (circa 1800, inspired by Napoleon's campaign in North Africa, and again iin Victorian times, beginning with the 1860s opening of the Suez Canal). Further, when Tut's treasures toured the world once more in the 1970s, it was "deja vu all over again." Because of this, you always have to look very carefully at jewels with an Egyptian motif, to determine when they were made.
These stunning gilt brass earrings, I've decided, are most likely from the 1920s, based on the depth of the patina, the extent of surface wear, the punchy Deco colors and of course the portrait of King Tut. The ear wires are obviously newish and the drops would have hung from screw fasteners originally. Very little wear is apparent to the naked eye -- they look absolutely fantastic -- but, under high magnification, minute losses of enamel and gilding can easily be found. Wear should be significantly less extensive on jewels only 30 years old, rather than around 80.
Crafted on a very grand scale, these beauties measure a whopping two inches round and are highly dimensional. I've never seen a pair at all like them, so they're really quite special. Provenance is an East Coast estate.
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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Elegant Antique Aquamarine Paste Dangle Drop Earrings
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Rhinestone:
Pre 1930 item# 720684
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$140
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& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
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These antique dangle earrings are as stylish now as they were about a hundred years ago in Edwardian and Art Deco times. The very vertical look of their extra-long drops is exactly what we see gracing fashion runways and red carpet occasions today. They move beautifully, too, since the teardrops are articulated to sway with your every step or sigh. Loaded with color, these treasures are pavé-set with aquamarine pastes of four different sizes and such fabulous quality that every stone remains brilliant. I expect they're of Czech origin (more properly Bohemian, if made before World War I ended).
The metal isn't marked, but responds to polish like silver, so must have fairly high silver content. With apologies to the purists among us, I removed some tarnish from the backs after these photos were taken.
Overall length is about 2.75 inches, provenance is a New York estate and, as you see, condition is lovely. Your jeweler could easily remove the screw backs and install posts, if you like, since the rings holding the drops are attached to the posy-shaped tops, not just the fasteners.
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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