Antique Deco Enameled White Gold Diamond Wrist Watch
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Deco:
Pre 1940 item# 711286
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$165 SALE
(Reduced from $235)
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
& Gift-Wrap if Desired
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Glamor and practicality used to be on closer terms than they are today, and nowhere is that more apparent than in watch design. If you’re like me in preferring a feminine style that’s properly scaled for a lady’s more delicate wrist, this antique timepiece may be just what you’re looking for.
Its shape, as you see, is very Art Deco, featuring fancy geometric lugs on which four small diamonds twinkle amid black enamelwork, plus gracefully stepped sides and even a domed crystal that arches like a moon bridge. Also indicating a Deco dating, the surface is white gold, rather than yellow. The numerals are of icy white metal, too, applied on an ivory-colored dial. Because they’re on the large side and alternate with slender teardrop, the time is easy to read without strong color contrast. Even the hands, also of white metal, have a jazzy streamlined form.
The case was crafted circa 1925-1935, at a time when the Benrus Company took the lead in style, edging out competitors whose watch designs were less fashion-forward. The mechanisms were also of excellent quality, all imported from Switzerland, and this one uses 21 jewels, well above the norm of 17. The face is marked Benrus 21 Jewels and the case back reads 10 K.R.G.P. Bezel and St. Steel Back 594197, telling us the front is of rolled gold, which is far more durable than ordinary plating, joined to a sturdy backing of stainless steel. The number must have meant something within the company; it can’t be a patent registration or would mean 1897, when the founder was only three years old. Benrus is a contraction of the name Benjamin Lazrus, who was an early 20th century immigrant from Romania, working in New York City. His firm later became notable for a host of technological innovations, such as date indicators, waterproofing and eventually electronic components. By the mid-20th century, Benrus dominated the market, but this beauty comes from the time when it employed just a few skilled artisans dedicated to producing chic designs for the first generation of liberated American women.
The watch reached us in entirely original condition from a New Mexico estate, where the dry air preserves historic jewelry well, and there’s been no restoration. We added only a fresh black cord band right for the period, easily replaced by your jeweler in the size and color you prefer. It takes high magnification to notice any wear, mainly fine scratches to the crystal. We'll pack with great care, of course, but antique watches can be temperamental about transport. Although it’s running fine now, it could need minor adjustment after shipping.
There's no charge for insured U.S. delivery and gift wrap is always free if desired. Please e-mail erinharris@comcast.net to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Pretty 1930s Gold & Tourmaline Pink Crossover Ring
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Deco:
Pre 1940 item# 552453
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$195
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
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So-called "crossover" rings were introduced at around the start of the Edwardian era and the graceful form was favored for decades, so they're difficult to date. I believe this gorgeous example was crafted in the 1930s, rather than earlier, because the gold is 10k and people made do with less in Depression times. Synthetic stones, although widely used in 1920s Art Deco jewelry, were a particular feature in the years that followed and we have here labatory versions of pink tourmaline and diamond. Synthetic stones, BTW, aren't "fakes" like glass; they're engineered to duplicate the chemical properties of natural stones so faithfully that even a jeweler must perform sophisticated tests to identify them.
From a New York estate, this beauty is about a US size 6.25 - 6.75, easily altered since the back of the shank is unadorned. (We state sizes as a range, because different types of measuring equipment vary up to half a size, as do our fingers with temperature and time of day.) The ring's condition, as you see, is lovely, showing only slight surface wear to the gold under very high magnification. The gems are pristine; I can't find a scuff on them anywhere, so the ring must have been carefully stored away for a very long time. It will be a spectacular accent to all the pink clothing so fashionable now and it looks like it's worth more than twice the price.
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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Antique Gold Filigree Sweetheart Ring or Wedding Band
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Deco:
Pre 1940 item# 119359
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click for details
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$99 SALE (Reduced from $139)
Free 1st Class U.S. Shipping
(& Gift Wrap if Desired)
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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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