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His or Hers Signed Wide Modernist Pink Sapphire Ring
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Modernism:
Pre 1950 item# 951396
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$145 SALE (Was $195)
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This splendid Modernist ring will delight any woman who enjoys bold mid-century studio silver -- or one of those exciting gentlemen so self-confident they aren't shy about pink.
Half an inch wide, it makes a powerful statement on the finger of either gender and its high quality is evident at a glance, without reference to the signature: an "R" within the outline of a gemstone. We haven't yet identified that mark, so please let us know if you recognize the maker.
From the Georgia estate of a couple with extensive World War II era collections, this is a serious designer jewel dating from that period or earlier (based both on style and its "sterling" hallmark, rather than the "925" stamp that came into increasing use between 1935 and 1950). Such simple, honest early modernist pieces are the most coveted by collectors and often command higher prices in silver than later items of gold.
That the stone is pink sapphire also adds value, since "fancy" colors (pinks, oranges, yellows, greens and purples) are generally prized above all but the finest blues. It could also be called a pastel ruby, since both sapphire and ruby belong to the same mineral family: corundum. Besides their beauty, these share high honors on the hardness scale, so provide generations of pleasure as heirlooms, given reasonable care.
Condition of the ring is great, with only minor age-appropriate surface wear, Currently about a US size 6.5, it could be stretched a bit easily or resized more significantly by an expert jeweler. Based on the "sterling" mark, its origin is most likely American, but it may well have been created by a European. Through the 1930s and 1940s, many Bauhaus and similar avant-garde artisans took flight from the advance of Nazi power, quickly popularizing the "industrial" look of Modernism.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. There's no charge for U.S. shipping (with an equivalent discount on international delivery) and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Thanks for looking!
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Stunning Antique Suffragette Earrings & Pendant / Pin
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Deco:
Pre 1930 item# 945464
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$185
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As you know if you collect Suffragette jewelry, it's extremely rare to find a set. So few were made that many years could pass before we have the opportunity to offer another demi-parure.
Fresh from a Long Island estate, this marvelous set shows both Edwardian and Art Deco influences: the former in the white-on-white shimmer of airy filigree blossoms overlapping plaques of mother-of-pearl; and the latter in its mesh tassel and the strong geometry of the faux amethysts and peridots.
Although American women won the vote in 1920, it took until 1928 for all women to be included in England, so Suffragette jewelry was produced through most of the decade. This set was probably among the last examples, despite its hint of Edwardiana. My dating is mainly based on the simplicity of the reverses. (Earlier pieces, even in the '20s, often had ornately patterned backs.)
The earrings measure about 7/8 of an inch tall and 3/4 of an inch wide, while the slightly domed brooch -- also fitted with a bail for use as a necklace pendant -- measures a bit more than an inch in each direction, plus nearly 1 1/2 inches for the tassel. All stones appear original and the silvery metal settings are evidently of rhodium or chromium -- one of those hard-wearing, tarnish-free cousins to platinum. The earring fasteners are screw-type, as is right for the period, but a good jeweler could easily change them to posts or wires. The condition of every piece is fantastic; they can't have been worn much and have been stored with great care.
This ususual color combination, as you probably know, 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 this is the only matched set. If it strikes your fancy, please don't 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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Rare Antique Lincoln Imp Brooch Victorian or Older
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Victorian:
Pre 1900 item# 942813
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$160
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The whimsical form of this delightful English brooch identifies it as a souvenir from Lincoln (county town of Lincolnshire). The original owner would have visited its famous cathedral, the world's tallest building from around 1300 to 1549 but far better known for a piece of stonework called the Lincoln Imp. According to legend, the little demon was sent by Satan to make mischief in medieval England and outdid himself here -- dancing on the altar, tripping up a Bishop, knocking over the Dean, smashing furniture and tormenting the choir. It's said he paused to gloat atop a column, whereupon the fed-up angels turned him to stone!
For centuries, Lincoln's imp has been admired by pilgrims and tourists, who took home keepsakes featuring his likeness. Most date from the Victorian era, when railways made travel widely affordable, but some are earlier -- made for well-heeled Brits whose usual Grand Touring was curtailed by wars in Continental Europe.
Whether Victorian or Georgian, the brooch is an exceptional find, since imp items are generally useful things. Door knockers, bells, tea caddy spoons and toasting forks turn up in antique shops and at auctions, but I've never even seen a pin before!
Highly dimensional and beautifully detailed, it's in such splendid condition that it can't have been worn much. Given its dainty size -- just an inch long, as was suitable for for a girl or teenager in days when large jewelry was considered vulgar except on married women -- the first owner probably tucked it carefully away with the other treasures of her youth, where it remained long forgotten.
Now it's ready to become your favorite conversation piece, after a light polish. (I strongly advise against dips that would
remove the patina of age and the darkness of the crevices.) The metal appears to be of a grade slightly sturdier than sterling, since it's simply stamped "silver," lacking the usual array of British hallmarks. It has the elongated pinstem and open C clasp indicative of great age, along with a large hand-made hinge. Provenance is a Midwestern estate.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos -- and, if you like this, please run a search to see our imp door knocker, too. Should you be interested in both, we can work out special pricing. Thanks for looking!
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Vintage Studio Sterling Earrings like O'Keeffe Flowers
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Modernism:
Pre 1950 item# 942105
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$150
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These spectacular hand-made sterling silver earrings always make me think of Georgia O'Keeffe's flower paintings. They have the same graceful, undulant lines -- and the same gigantically blown-up quality. At first I thought they look like irises, but now I'm thinking lilies or even bird-of-paradise blossoms.
While the curvy shapes are evocative of Art Nouveau, they've been interpreted by a master of early Modernism. Based on the abstract design and clip backs, I believe they date from the late 1930s or early 1940s. Pads were added more recently for comfort.
Despite their stupendous size, weight is relatively modest; they have to be hollow inside (which makes their fine condition all the more amazing).
The word Eleusinian is stamped in block letters, along with the 925 mark for sterling. An artist's signature also appears in script on one earring, but we haven't been able to decipher much of it; the last name might be Jacobo and the first name seems to start with T. If you recognize the maker or know anything about Eleusinian (other than the word's connection with ancient Orphic mysteries), please e-mail to let me know; I've searched the Web for many hours in vain.
A breathtaking addition to any collection of Modernist jewelry, these sculptural treasures are truly art to wear! They'd be stunning, even if they didn't measure a whopping 2 1/4" x 1 1/4" (but how wonderful that they do).
Please e-mail erinharris@comcast.net to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Art Nouveau Sterling Lady Face Earrings
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1940 item# 940568
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$170
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As you know if you collect Art Nouveau, authentic "lady portrait" jewels have become extremely hard to find. Even good reproductions from the 1960s and 1970s are rapidly gaining value, so you simply can't go wrong with these antique earrings for less than $200.
Based on age-appropriate surface wear and screw backs hallmarked "Sterling," the earrings date, I feel sure, from the early 20th century -- either from original Art Nouveau days circa 1900 or the first Revival period circa 1930. (Examples made after 1935 are generally stamped "925"; often bear a logo, as well; and feature every sort of fastener other than screws.) Unfortunately, they're been overcleaned by some misguided enthuasist who plunged them into silver dip, which stripped off the rich patina of age and what would otherwise be luscious darkness in all the heavily textured crevices created by sand-casting. Tanish will soon start accumulating again, but at the moment they look less valuable than they are and our price reflects this. They'd cost nearly twice as much, had they been left in original condition and polished only lightly by hand on the high points.
Size is about an inch long and provenance is a Chicago estate. Probably the earrings originated in Chicago, which was a hotbed of stylish metalwork a century ago. Your jeweler could very easily adapt them for post fasteners or wires, if you prefer.
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 Early Uncas Art Nouveau Sterling Floral Band
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1920 item# 939314
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$95 SALE. Was $125.
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An enchanting sweetheart ring -- or wedding ring for those who prefer the simplicity of silver -- this antique Art Nouveau band from a Florida estate bears the first mark of the Rhode Island-based Uncas Manufacturing Company (a U between two arrows). It's also stamped "sterling," rather than the later 925.
Most likely created before or during World War I -- since Art Nouveau styling gave way to Art Deco after the war -- the ring is lavished with flower blossoms and scrolling leaf forms. The design is the work of a master: Vincent Sorrentino, one of the talented jewelers who arrived from Italy in the early 20th century and were instrumental in developing the American fine and costume jewelry industry.
About a US size 5.5 - 6 now, the ring could be professionally stretched a little, but not cut for major resizing without damage to the pattern, which extends all around and remains nicely crisp. Quite a bit of tarnish is present, which in deference to the purists among us I'll leave alone. You can easily polish the ring, if you like, but I recommend using a jeweler's cloth and a light hand, rather than dips that would brighten the background along with the details and strip off the rich patina of age.
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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Spectacular Sterling Serpents Ring Circa 1930 Size 8
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Period:
Pre 1940 item# 938993
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$110
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Rings and bracelets with snake motifs have been prized since before recorded history, associated not with danger but with good fortune, health and eternal life. The jewels gained new heights of popularity in the mid-19th century, when Queen Victoria chose the form for the wedding ring that symbolized her endless love for Prince Albert.
The example here isn't the typical simple circle, but a bewitching coil of intertwined serpents that has a late 19th century Art Nouveau look. However, the 925 mark argues for a somewhat later dating. (The mark "Sterling" or no mark at all was more common before 1930.) I don't believe it can be much later than that, if at all, based on age-appropriate surface wear and slight thinning of the shank's back.
The ring appears to be hand-made, probably sand-cast, and is about an inch tall at its highest. That it's about a US size 8 makes me think it may have been crafted for a man. Certainly it could be worn beautifully by either a man or a woman and would be quite easy to resize.
If you enjoy unusual silver rings and/or are a collector of serpents jewels in general, this beauty from a West Coast estate is for you!
There's no charge for insured U.S. Priority 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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Stunning c1900 Arts & Crafts Silver & Goldstone Ring
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Arts and Crafts:
Pre 1910 item# 938660
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$130
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A stunning choice for either a woman or a man, this antique ring is quintessentially Arts & Crafts. Unusual stones, mounted simply but artfully (typically in silver), are characteristic of the movement. Its adherents wanted design and craftsmanship to dominate.
Among their favorite materials was glittering goldstone: an art glass created by adding copper crystals to produce brilliant flashes of light called aventuresence. Here a large cabochon of it has been polished to a fare-thee-well and set in a classic open-backed bezel, then given a medievalist look by framing it with four curliques cleverly formed from the ends of the dual shank. The shank unites at the rear, making it easy to alter the size, now about a US 5.25. (I say "about" because different ring sizing equipment yields results that vary up to half a size, as our fingers also do with temperature and time of day.) The band is slightly out of round, a common condition that most jewelers will correct in a jiffy while you watch.
The ring's face measures 3/4" by 11/16" and its provenance is a Missouri estate. Nearby Chicago was a hotbed of outstanding Arts & Crafts metalwork, so I'll bet the ring originated there. Its quality is such that it simply had to come from a major city. As is often the case with antique jewelry, no mark is visible -- none were required in the U.S. until shortly before WWI -- but the silver looks to be sterling grade or close. Condition is excellent, requiring high magnification to notice any surface wear. A fair amount of tarnish is present, which in deference to the purists among us we'll leave in place.
There's no charge for insured U.S. Priority 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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Fine Vintage Mid Century Modernist Silver & Coral Ring
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Modernism:
Pre 1960 item# 936485
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$120
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Perfect for fans of the "wow" factor, here's a whopping big modernist ring that nobody can ignore! You'll definitely command attention in this treasure. It's 1.75 inches tall, more than half an inch wide and highly dimensional, ornamented with sculptural arcs and orbs of silver plus three pretty round cabochons of rosy coral.
I feel sure it's hand-made, most likely one of a kind. Judging by style and age-appropriate wear, probable dating would be circa 1945-1960. Present size is about a US 4.5, easily enlarged since the back of the shank isn't ornamented. The ring reached us from a Southern estate.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Edwardian Gilt Silver Lavalier w/ Pearl Drops
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Edwardian:
Pre 1910 item# 865566
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$135
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Dainty lavalier pendants with one or more dangling drops, usually baroque pearls, are quintessentially Edwardian. Those with two drops that fall to different lengths are also called négligée pendants (a reference to the raffishly asymmetrical look, not to nightwear).
This is a particularly lovely and unusual example, being formed as a butterly and richly enameled. Enameled butterfly brooches were popular from Victorian times, but the motif isn't often seen on a necklace. Also remarkable is the fine condition of its enamelwork and gilding. It can't have been worn much and was stored with care.
Five vivid colors appear in the cloisonné enamelwork -- cobalt blue, violet, red, burgundy and green -- making this an accessory you can wear with almost anything. Since each shade requires separate firing, a great deal of work went into its creation. The gilded metal is hallmarked "silver" (rather than the later 925) and the pearls are real -- gritty when run against the front teeth, not smooth like glass or plastic. That they're suspended from fancy-link chains also signifies quality and age. No doubt there originally was a neck chain to match, but those tend to break or get lost over time. We include a contemporary vermeil chain. A bright ribbon would be another pretty option. Size is 3/4" wide and 1 3/4" long and provenance is a California estate.
Please e-mail erinharris@comcast.net to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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