Antique Art Deco Enamel Cufflinks Vivid Blue and Gold
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Cufflinks and Accessories:
Silver:
Pre 1930 item# 703274
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$285
(Free U.S. Priority Shipping
& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
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These antique doubled-faced cufflinks couldn't be more Art Deco -- or more spectacular -- and, beyond the immediate impact of strong color contrast and pure geometry, a lot more is going on, too. Arts and Crafts influence becomes apparent as you look closely through the translucent guilloché enamels at the intricate engraving beneath. Those shimmering golden diamonds are crossed by a zigzag motif that, in the Celtic design vocabulary so important to the Arts and Crafts movement, symbolizes thunderbolts or streaks of lightning -- which in turn portend an encounter with the transcendent. Circling these, the rounds of rich cobalt blue feature a tracery of swirls, mysterious and very ancient forms suggesting paths of energy; you might see them as waves, curling flames, roots or tendrils. Obviously this is very different guilloché work than the usual, and it may well have been engraved by hand, rather than machine.
These beauties reached us from a Chicago estate and probably were made there, where many skilled and innovative jewelers were based during the early 20th century. Unfortunately there isn't a signature, nor is the metal marked. I expect it's either silver of a sturdier grade than sterling or one of those hard-wearing cousins of platinum (chromium or rhodium). It's much lighter and brighter in person than in the photograph. Mountings, connectors and the enamelwork are in lovely condition, showing only slight wear. Size is 9/16" round.
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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Very Unusual Antique Arts and Crafts Silver Cufflinks
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Cufflinks and Accessories:
Silver:
Pre 1910 item# 698609
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click for details
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$135
(Free U.S. Priority Shipping
& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
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I love Arts and Crafts jewelry at its quirkiest, don't you? Its fine hand-workmanship is always admirable, as in these simple well-formed bezel mountings, but the creators often had their best fun finding fresh and unexpected stones. "Wow" appeal, not snob appeal, was what counted for them and their artistic customers, so they searched for unusual shapes and colors that didn't feature in mass-produced jewels or even in more predictable custom pieces.
Here someone's search was well-rewarded with shimmering sets so vivid and dimensional they look like enamelwork. These may be natural stone -- the color is right for rubelite tourmaline -- but they could be art glass. It's a rather enigmatic hue between cranberry and amethyst. Not being sure of the material, we've priced them as glass. All four faces are smoothly carved or drilled out at the centers, forming concave areas that beckon your fingertips to touch them.
The metal of the mounts and elongated link connectors appears to be unmarked silver. I polished a bit at the back and it responded as sterling does, but may be a somewhat lesser grade. You could make them shine like the dickens, if you prefer a brighter look to the patina of age. Condition, as you see, is excellent; provenance is an East Coast estate; size is 5/8" round; and probable dating would be 1900 -1910.
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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Lovely Art Nouveau Edwardian Hair Comb
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Cufflinks and Accessories:
Silver:
Pre 1910 item# 403892
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click for details
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$69
Free 1st Class U.S. Shipping
(& Gift Wrap if Desired)
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The curvy lines of this pretty hair comb show Art Nouveau influence, but here the overexuberance of the Victorian era has given way to Edwardian restraint, both in form and size. Its refinement and delicacy suggest a circa 1910 dating.
The tines of this hair jewel are nicely flexible steel, while the top is fixed and sturdy. Hallmarks aren't present, so it isn't sterling, but some silver content is likely since it shines up with a jeweler's cloth. Age-appropriate surface wear is visible only under high magnification. Size is about 3 3/8 by 1 1/2 inches.
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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