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 Antique Art Nouveau Silver Ring
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1910 item# 854878
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$135
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Stunningly sculptural, this wonderful ring combines the flowing curves and organic floral forms of Art Nouveau with a hint of Arts & Crafts influence, evident in the simplicity of its layered openwork construction. It's fascinating when those design currents intersect, as they sometimes did around a hundred years ago.
The ring's face measures a knuckle-covering inch in each direction, so this is a jewel that can't possibly be overlooked. Its material is obviously silver, rich with time's patina. That the metal is unmarked suggests American origin, since silver hallmarks weren't required here until shortly before World War I. If you prefer a brighter finish, it would be good just to polish the high points with a jeweler's cloth and leave the depths dark for drama. Condition is excellent, provenance is a Texas estate and current size is about a US 5.5. It appears to have been resized once before, so could easily be altered again at the same junction.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Amazing Triple Lady Portrait Art Nouveau Amethyst Ring
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1910 item# 695981
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$395 SALE (Reduced from $465)
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Want a ring astounding enough to stop people in their tracks? Here it is! No doubt you've seen the tall Late Victorian rings with three stones in a stack --- well, this not only has the stones (round purple amethyst cabochons), but has them set in a veritable totem pole of Art Nouveau lady portrait heads. I never saw anything like it before and don't expect to see another.
It's bound to be a custom-crafted jewel and it's a whopper: nearly two inches tall by an inch wide. Size is large, too (about a US 8.5), so it was made to wear over gloves or on the central finger. Cutting it down shouldn't be a problem, if you want to do that, since the shank isn't decorated. It may have been sized once before, to judge by a small dimple at the very back.
The only mark is sterling (partially worn away), which is right for an American jewel of the period, but French influence is strongly evident and makes sense, given that the ring was found in a New Orleans estate. Because someone recently gave it a polish (a bit more brightly than I would've done, but patina will soon build up again), it's easy to judge the condition, which is lovely. There's very little surface wear. Obviously the ring has been cared for like the rare treasure it is. As you know if you collect Art Nouveau, lady portrait jewelry is growing so scarce that even good Revival pieces can command steep prices. That the stones are cabs and of slightly irregular shape adds Arts and Crafts interest, too.
We state ring sizes as approximations, due to the vagaries of different sizing equipment. Depending on whether the sizer is metal, wood or plastic, the result can vary up to half a size. Also, our fingers vary by that much, with time of day and temperature (smaller early in the morning or when it's chilly). This should comfortably fit 8.25, 8.5 or 8.75.
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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c 1800 Regency Era Mourning Locket of Enameled Silver
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1837 VR item# 544926
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$210
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Extremely well-crafted diminutive lockets were a feature of Regency fashion, as were enamelwork, neo-classical patterns and plumes. All these currents combine here, where a finely enameled Greek Key border surrounds an engraved peacock feather and eye motif at center. (The peacock was not only fashionable on headgear then, but also a symbol of eternal life.)
A very early dating is further indicated by the plain window of beveled crystal on the reverse, through which we glimpse black fabric or very tightly woven hair held by a gilt retaining band of rope-twist design. I see no way to open this without popping up the glass (which seems to have incurred a teensy chip from exactly that process). Later lockets, as we know, have separate metal compartments that open to view enclosures. From later examples, we'd also expect hallmarks on any piece that required so much intricate craftsmanship, whereas there's no stamp of any sort on this silver. It looks like sterling, but may be a somewhat lesser European grade. An interesting mystery is the presence of a small incised line on the front that isn't part of the design, but looks intentional. Perhaps it was meant to be a mark of grief, detracting from perfection. Occasionally I get vibes off a piece of jewelry and this one is loaded with emotion. I feel it was first worn as a memorial jewel either by the person who made it or by someone of the same family.
Measuring a dainty 1 inch by 1/2 inch, this rare beauty was probably meant to be a ribbon slide tied at choker length and it looks lovely on the black silken cord we found. You could of course wear it on a necklace or bracelet chain, if you prefer. Its condition is splendid, relative to age, and provenance is a Florida estate.
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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Our Earliest Blister Pearl Sterling Ring, Art Nouveau
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1900 item# 531776
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$135
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The Art Nouveau setting of this exquisite antique ring dates it to the 1890s, soon after blister pearls were first cultivated and took Victorian designers by storm. It's highly unusual, because most blister pearl rings are in much simpler Arts and Crafts mountings. Here a riot of scrollwork ornaments both the shoulders and the bezel's frilly outer frame. The stone's a marvel, too: almost an inch tall and wonderfully luminous, dominated by hues of coral, rose and sea green. Signed simply Sterling, the jewel is undoubtedly hand-crafted. Current size is a U.S. 4.5 - 5, easiy changed since the back of the shank is undecorated (and a bit flat from having been resized before). It's also slightly out of round, which is easily corrected if it bothers you. Condition is otherwise superb. Provenance is a West Coast estate.
If you love antique blister pearl jewelry, be sure to see our beautiful brooch, stickpin and pendant, as well as two other splendid rings from the same period. If you're interested in more than one piece, we can work out special pricing.
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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Finely Detailed Antique Silver Lion Ring circa 1900
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1910 item# 504327
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$99.
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Who's your favorite Leo Lady, and how much would she love this ring? It's a gorgeous old one, combining curvy Art Nouveau lines with an unusually simple tapering band shape that shows Arts and Crafts influence, too. I love it when those design currents intersect, because each benefits the other and you wind up with a fresh and unexpected look.
This ring would suit you Leo Lads, as well, but I mentioned the gals first because it's quite a small one -- about a U.S. size 4. That of course can be changed by any good jeweler, since the back of the shank isn't ornamented. It's definitely a hand-made ring, showing tool marks plainly. Because the silver is unmarked, it could be of a grade slightly less than sterling, but it tarnishes and polishes like stering. Hallmarks weren't mandatory in the U.S. until shortly before World War I, so my best guess is that it was crafted here before marks were required. The face of the lion is about 3/4 of an inch tall, so he isn't one of those big, overpowering beasts. Condition is very nice, relative to age. With apologies to the purists among us, I gave it a fairly thorough cleaning, because the patina was so extreme. If you prefer a darker look, tarnish will soon enough return.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
There's no
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Exquisite Jeweled Sterling Art Nouveau Lady Brooch
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1910 item# 126268
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$165. On hold.
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This finely wrought Victorian brooch is one of the most romantic and beautiful pieces of Art Nouveau jewelry I've ever seen. Dating from around 1900, it features a flowing-haired lady who's more than usually gorgeous and very pertly posed. Beyond the charm of the coquettish figure and lavish floral silver work, the piece gains an enchanting, magical quality from its radiant mother-of-pearl moon. Naturally it has the old "C" clasp right for the period. Its measurements are petite, about an inch round, so it was made for a young lady. Large jewelry was considered vulgar on unmarried women in those days. Condition is superb, with no flaws I've found apart from a little age-related yellowing of the adhesive. You may want your jeweler to clean that (taking care not to damage the patina, unless you want the silver to take on a brightly polished look).
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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c1920 Arte Nueva Malachite Ring from Major Collection
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1920 item# 117212
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$95 SALE
(Reduced from $125)
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(& Gift Wrap if Desired)
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This exciting ring from the collection of Fred Rezazadeh (distinguished author of "The Collectible Silver Jewelry Book" and "Costume Jewelry: A Practical Handbook & Value Guide") is a splendid example of Arte Nueva - an ethnic spin on classic Art Nouveau design. Note the swirling lines of these stylized feather-like leaves. Arts & Crafts influence is also evident, both in the fine quality of hand-workmanship and the choice of a green cabochon stone. And what a gorgeous chunk of malachite it is!
The ring's creator was almost certainly a Mexican or Native American artisan working in the very early 20th century. Since people were a lot more casual about markings then, the piece isn't signed, nor is there a hallmark to indicate the grade of the metal. Silver content is high, I believe based on the age patina present. We haven't cleaned the ring, leaving to its next owner the decision on how far to go with polishing. Currently a 6, it could be easily resized up or down, since the shank isn't ornamented. The face, as you see, is so large it completely covers my lower knuckle.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Lovely Antique Sterling Art Nouveau Bar Pin 1890s
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Art Nouveau:
Pre 1910 item# 113905
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$75 SALE
(Reduced from $115)
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Subtlety and Art Nouveau don't ordinarily go together, but here's a splendid exception. This restrained and yet characteristically Nouveau jewel is lavished with floral repousse work, but holds excesses within the bounds of a bar pin, slender and 2 inches long. Notice the finely wrought clasp is engraved to match the front -- a particularly elegant touch.
This beauty is hallmarked for sterling and retains quite a bit of age patina, which can easily be polished off if you prefer a high shine. Dating would be no later than the 1890s, based on the type of fastener; origin is most likely American; and condition, as you see, is superb. Obviously the brooch is entirely hand-made.
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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