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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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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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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Giant Sterling and Moonstone Peace Dove Necklace '60s
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Modernism:
Pre 1970 item# 855705
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$155
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If you're looking for a "statement necklace," here it is -- unmistakably making the statement "Peace and Love" via a gorgeous domed pendant 3 1/4 inches round!
This handcrafted vintage pendant of hammered sterling features a stylized dove whose breast, wing and tail are formed with cutout hearts. Adorned with a collet-set cabochon of blue-white moonstone -- the prized color that's so hard to find today -- it also has a glinting eye of lightly gold-washed silver.
The marks are Sterling, Eden and Eden repeated within an apple shape. I find no record of a firm called Eden, so this must be the creation of an independent designer. That would also explain the Sterling mark, which large-scale makers replaced with 925 during the 1930s. Dating has to be during the Vietnam War -- far more likely the hippie '60s than the disco '70s, based on design. Of course, given the elegance of this jewel, its style is far from basic Boho; it's what we poor college students of the time enviously called Trust Fund Hippie.
Provenance is a Cape Cod estate and condition, as you see, is superb. We added the contemporary sterling chain 20 inches long.
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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Outstanding Vintage Blue and White Sapphire Ring
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Modernism:
Pre 1980 item# 563435
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$265
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This is a ring it's hard to take your eyes off. Everything about it commands attention: its swirling asymmetrical form, dramatic size and extreme dimensionality -- plus the dazzle of 8 white sapphires and 9 vivid cornflower blue ones cut in marquise shape and arrayed like dancing flames. As another graceful touch, the lower third of the ring's face is below the shank and sits on the hand, making the fingers look longer.
The jeweled area measures nearly an inch tall and more than half an inch wide, and it rises 3/8 of an inch above the shank on an intricate undergallery that looks spectacular from every angle. The metal looks and behaves like platinum, since it's plated with rhodium, which is from the same family of hard-wearing, no-tarnish metals. Underlying the rhodium is hallmarked sterling silver. Present size is US 6 to 6.5, easily altered since the band isn't decorated. Condition of the ring is very good, showing only age-appropriate surface wear under high magnification. From a Texas estate, it dates most likely to the 1970s. The style is obviously Retro/Modernist, but with more feminine, flowing lines than are typically seen in earlier examples.
Besides being the main birthstone for September, sapphire is the anniversary stone for the 5th and 45th years of marriage. It's said to foster mental clarity, calm, love and good health.
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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Vintage Retro Mexican Silver Abalone Snake Wrap Ring
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Modernism:
Pre 1940 item# 146466
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$40 SALE (Reduced from $55)
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Here's a stunning vintage ring you can wear on any finger, because it's infinitely adjustable. Its abstract form looks to me like a stylized snake. Hand-crafted with great artistry in Mexico, the ring is richly patinated by time. Arts & Crafts influence is so evident in its construction that probable dating is pre-World War II. Later variations of this style are less graceful, with much more bulbous ends.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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