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Stunning Georgian Gilt Hardstone Intaglio Brooch
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 127815
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$315 SALE
(Reduced from $355)
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Our impressive intaglio brooch features the head of a Trojan War hero (perhaps Achilles), unless I miss my guess. Remember the phrase "long-haired Achaeans" from Homer? Those look to me like curls at the base of his helmet!
As a Greek Revival piece, the jewel likely dates from the Late Georgian or Regency period. It was in 1806, when Lord Elgin brought pieces of the Parthenon from Athens to London, that the English passion for the purity of Greek design was ignited. Like the intaglio, exquisitely carved from extremely dark amber, the construction of this piece has a very early look: It's built up architecturally, in layers, with abundant detail. There's a small hook on the crossbar at the back, for hanging a watch, another jewel or chatelaine items.
I'm not sure about the underlying metal, since most of the rose gold gilding remains intact, but it's most likely silver since that's the color of the clasp hook. The other side of the clasp is absolutely fascinating: the pin hinge is encased in a sort of tulip form. There are signs that the pin stem has been shortened; it's blunter than you'd expect and under magnification looks a little ragged on the end.
The intaglio measures a little larger than 1/2" square and its condition is excellent. Overall size of the brooch is about 1-3/4" by 1-1/4" and its condition is very good. Please note that the left ball-shaped cap is missing on the long horizontal piece. No doubt a competent jeweler could easily replace it. If the brooch were perfect, of course it would cost a great deal more, given the superlative quality of the intaglio.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Victorian Etruscan Brooch with Tassel 1860s
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Victorian:
Pre 1900 item# 123914
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$225
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Layaway Terms Available
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Victorian jewelers were greatly inspired by discoveries concerning the Etruscan civilization, which flourished along the western coast of Italy between 500 BCC and 300 BCE. Hallmarks of the style include granulation, the technique of arranging tiny metal beads into beautifully textured designs and patterns, dangling accents and stylized flowers.
All these forms of Etruscan ornamentation are seen in this opulent brooch jewel from the Mid-Victorian period. The beaded effect is achieved with finely twisted wirework in floral motifs at each end and starlike designs in between. For extra interest, three shades of gold are featured. The thick metal mesh rope that ends in the glorious tassel is of a paler yellow than the brooch's body and winds through three spectacular openings set with highly dimensional sunbursts of rose gold. More rose gold appears on the bead and cap above the tassel. In the absence of markings (so common in that era), the underlying metal may be silver, brass or lower carat gold. So little finish is lost that I can't tell, and it would be a shame to assault it with files and acids in order to test.
In superb condition after about 150 years, the brooch measures an impressive 2 1/2 inches in each direction. Fittings are original and right for the period. The elongated pinstem has been slightly depressed near the hinge, thus shortening it slightly - a good solution to keeping it from impaling you.
Genuine Etruscan Revival jewels are so hard to find today that even good reproductions are fetching hundreds of dollars. Given their rarity, this authentic 19th century treasure will be not only a delight to wear now, but an investment for the future.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos of this piece and/or similar items. Thanks for looking!
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Fine Early Victorian Vermeil Filigree Posy Brooch
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Victorian:
Pre 1900 item# 121531
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$130 SALE
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When Napoleon's newly established court was magnificent in its luxury, the Empress Josephine was famously fond of cameos. Less well-known was the passion she shared with fashionable ladies of the court for jewels made of vermeil (gold on silver) filigree. Their heyday, which began in the 18th century, would end about as soon as the Empire. The reason why? It was discovered that the mercury then used to create "silver gilt" caused craftsmen to go blind. Many years would pass before a safer process was developed in early Victorian times: electroplating, which debuted in the 1840s. This marvelous brooch dates from that period, when women could finally enjoy gilt silver filigree again, without its taking a toll in human misery.
Beautifully hand-crafted, this Early Victorian jewel bears the European silvermark 800, a star and the markings 18 GE - meaning it's surfaced with rich 18 karat gold, rather than the more common 14k. So little of the plate has been lost that wear is apparent only under extreme magnification. Besides its obvious historic interest to collectors, this is a very beautiful and feminine jewel any woman would delight in wearing. Gorgeously hand-crafted in floral form, it's almost an inch round and naturally has the old C clasp right for its period. Close inspection shows its elongated pinstem was at some point snipped for greater comfort.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Gold Filigree Sweetheart Ring or Wedding Band
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Deco:
Pre 1940 item# 119359
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$99 SALE (Reduced from $139)
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This gracefully shaped filigree ring of yellow gold has an Edwardian delicacy, but probably dates from the 1930s, late in the Art Deco era. Rings were less lavish in Depression times, of course, but they could be very pretty, indeed. Piercework and textures were used artfully in lieu of gemstones and masses of high-karat gold. It's a refreshing look to see today, when many of us crave simplicity instead of extravagance. Marked 10K, this little beauty from a Midwestern estate also bears the letters AF JC - likely the initials of bride and groom but possibly a maker's stamp. Currently a U.S. size 6, it's in excellent condition, ready for its next love story.
BTW, wedding rings of this chevron shape, which dips below the base of the finger, are particularly pretty on small hands - creating the illusion of greater finger length. When worn with an engagement ring, the solitaire can sit lower on the knuckle, being nestled into the band's scalloped top.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Fine Victorian Stickpin Gold and Angelskin Coral c 1870
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Victorian:
Pre 1900 item# 115932
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$175.
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
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This gorgeous antique pin made of 14K gold (tested) is set with a luscious cabochon of angel skin coral, the most admired type. A stunning adornment for your lapel, scarf or hat, it dates circa 1880-1900 and measures slightly more than 2 5/8" long. The 14K gold plaque has a lovely hand-chased edge and measures a little more than 5/8" tall x 1/2" at the widest. The locking neb slide looks to be made of gilded brass and has the manufacturer's name on it, HOLD-ON, along with the Patent number 3009. Assuming this is an U.S. design patent, the number dates it to 1868. (As a standard American patent, that number would date it to 1843, which I believe is too early.) The mechanism is self-locking; you have to pull on the small end piece in order to slide it off, so you can enjoy this piece without worry about losing it.
As you can see, the pin is extremely well-made and in exceptional condition.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Rare Georgian or Regency Stickpin of God Mercury Hermes
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 111283
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$120 SALE
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This very striking antique stick pin features the head of the god Mercury (Hermes in Greek parlance), who wore a winged hat and served as messenger of the gods, bringer of dreams and patron of travelers (including those he escorted to the Undergloom).
Items with themes from Greco-Roman mythology are tricky to date, since there have been several major Classical Revivals in the past few hundred years. Because the god's image isn't idealized in the Victorian manner and the pin's construction suggests an early dating, I have to conclude it's either Georgian or Regency (18th or very early 19th century), used to secure the voluminous voluminous neckcloths worn by fashionable men in this era. The stylized profile anticipates Art Deco, but the pin's construction isn't right for that dating, not is the scale (about half an inch tall). The material appears to be gilt bronze and the detailing is marvelous. Condition, as you see, is exceptional for its age. The jewel will add an elegant note of antiquitiy on your lapel, tie, scarf or hat.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Micro Mosaic Earrings c 1910 Edwardian
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1910 item# 110970
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$135
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These enchanting earrings evidence the very fine workmanship characteristic of high-quality Italian mosaic jewelry from the Late Victorian and Edwardian era (circa 1900-1910). The individual pieces of glass mosaic (tesserae) are typically smaller, the older a piece is - and these are *quite* small - not as miniscule as those from the 19th century, but far smaller than we see on more modern examples.
The graceful filigree volutes that frame the exquisite mosaic compositions show strong Art Nouveau influence and appear to be of gold on brass. This filigree work is quite shiny and fresh, beautifully preserved. Even the earring backs show little wear to the finish. Each earring measures a tad under 1" across and is marked ITALY on reverse. They reached us from an East Coast estate, but were no doubt acquired in Rome as Grand Tour souvenirs about a hundred years ago.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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c1900 Signed Gold & Citrine Art Nouveau Bar Brooch
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1910 item# 108633
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$139
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With gorgeous scrolled etching on each side of its round bezel-set citrine stone, this elegant antique jewel is marked 10k on its pinstem and also signed "C" within a diamond-shaped mark on its catch. An excellent early safety clasp is present and appears original, which dates the jewel toward the end of the bar brooch era - Late Victorian or Edwardian (circa 1895-1910). Pictures really don't do justice to this treasure, which is in superb condition and measures 2 ¼" X ¼". Its price represents an extraordinary value. Elsewhere online, a seller is asking more than $150 for a 10k pin of the same size, set with only a rhinestone.
What an impressive gift this would be for someone you treasure, and we'll gladly gift wrap and ship free to any U.S. address. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Vintage 28-inch Gold French Rope Link Chain Necklace
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Period:
Pre 1980 item# 51125
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$300
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Yellow gold chains are back with a vengeance and this one, from a Texas estate, makes a bold glamor statement with its intricately woven design, 3 mm width and drop-over-your-head 28-inch length. You'll never even use the spring ring closure.
Perfect both with Retro looks and your latest fashions, it's of 10k gold and weighs in at 7.1 pennyweights. Crafted in the 1960s, it was appraised in 1991 at $250 - counting only replacement cost, new, no vintage value. Gold is a LOT more valuable now and still on the rise, so this is a real bargain. (A copy of that appraisal document will be provided to the purchaser, if desired.)
There's no charge for insured U.S. Priority shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photographs. Thanks for looking!
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