Superb Neoclassical Silver Filigree Brooch circa 1800
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 707317
|
click for details
|
GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$400 SALE
(Reduced now from $585)
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
& Gift-Wrap if Desired
|
This is an insane markdown on one of our most spectacular jewels, and it won't last long. If you're been eying this wonderful piece for a while, now is definitely the time to buy it...
Among the most remarkable jewels of antiquity are those that feature fine filigree, a technique that developed in Greece during the Classical period (circa 480-330 BCE), spread with trade and Alexander's conquests in the Hellenistic era and was likewise popular among the Romans and Byzantines. Since ancient times, whenever a Classical Revival has arisen, filigree has been part of the picture -- most importantly around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. It not only suited tastes then, but also the era's finances, severely strained after decades of war. By processing precious gold and silver into almost microscopic wires, jewelers could make their materials stretch a lot farther. Similarly, cutwork was favored. Of course these elegant techniques required a great deal more expert labor, but that was the cheap part in those days.
A finely handcrafted jewel like this one from the Georgian or Regency period simply couldn't be recreated now, at any price. The skills were lost more than a hundred years ago, when filigree patterns began to be stamped by machine and only hand-finished. Today's examples are nothing like the cobweb of complex wirework that weaves these few solid pieces of silver together: an outer ring with radiant points that suggest sunrays and a sculptural central medallion with a wide bead-edged bezel and cutwork image of a charioteer and his horse. The breathtaking intricacy of detail is impossible to capture fully in photographs.
For all its airiness and seeming fragility, this is one tough piece of jewelry. It's survived two centuries intact, because of its amazing craftsmanship and what must be yards of the most minute wire imaginable, worked layer upon layer. If you're thinking it's worthy of a museum display, you're absolutely right.
Adding further interest is the fact that was assayed by a system called Lothige, based on sixteenths, which was used for early silver in Teutonic lands. Pure silver, almost never seen, was marked 16 loth, 15 was roughly equivalent to our sterling and sturdier articles ranged in purity from 12 to 14 loth, with 13 being typical. On this exquisite brooch, the loth mark looks like a number 1 with small stick-figure legs and the numeral 3. It forms a tiny dimple on the reverse, which blends into the pebble-detailed bit of "ground" on which the chariot rolls. All loth marked silver is antique, given that the Austrian Empire switched to decimal-based hallmarks when Hungary was given dual billing in the 1860s and the German states soon followed suit, after their unification.
Silver marks are on the pinstem, too, but I haven't been able to interpret these and it doesn't seem original. While the simple open C clasp is of the right scale and age, both the hinge and pinstem must have been added later. On close inspection, there's evidence that a wider T hinge was replaced by the sort that appeared around 1860. The pinstem is also of that period and looks to have been snipped from greater length, probably in the early 20th century (when women cast off heavy undergarments and extra-long points became dangerous). The fastening mechanism works fine and will never be seen when the brooch is worn. Of course our price does reflect the alterations. It would be well over $1,000 if perfect.
Measuring an impressive 2.25 inches round, this is a truly rare treasure and an ultimate Power Jewel suitable for a woman of great confidence and presence. It reached us from a West Coast estate.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping, with an equivalent discount on international delivery, 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!
|
|
Rare 1830 William IV Coronation Lapel Pin Enamel Silver
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 691596
|
click for details
|
GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$195
(Free U.S. Priority Shipping
& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
|
So your ancestors weren't on the royal guest list in 1830? Well, it's still not too late to inherit this extraordinary antique enameled silver pin.
Given the high quality of the jewel, it was most likely produced in a very small quantity for the new monarch's guests at some special event marking his succession. I've seen none like it before and don't expect to see another.
As 1830 was the year when King George IV died and his brother William IV succeeded him, it's certainly a commemorative jewel. Adding to its rarity is the fact that the actual coronation didn't take place until almost a year later in September of 1931, which is the date seen on the usual souvenirs available to the public: medals, tankards, plates, jugs and such
This brooch has further historic interest as a gorgeous example of the enameler's art -- which faded with advances in gem-cutting. Ornately enameled settings were essential to important jewelry, until more brilliantly faceted stones could command attention on their own. Here see a wide array of enamel colors -- royal blue, golden yellow, orange and green -- which required a great deal of expertise to combine. All remain vivid and losses are slight. The brooch was obviously prized and well cared for. We obtained it from an estate in England, naturally enough.
Measuring almost 1 1/4" (3.17 cm) round, it has the open C clasp, T hinge and sturdy elongated pinstem one expects in a piece of such antiquity. It would be splendid lapel accent and conversation piece for any collector, whether man or woman.
There's no charge for insured U.S. Priority shipping (with an equivalent discount for on international delivery). Beautiful gift wrap is also free on request. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
|
|
Fine 1780 - 1800 Silver Filigree Zeeland Brooch
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1800 item# 567462
|
click for details
|
GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$325
Free U.S. Priority Shipping
(& Gift-Wrap if Desired)
Layaway Terms Available
|
When we had a brooch of this type last year, I was bowled over by its massive size. Amazingly, here's one about TWICE as big and in even better shape. It measures well over 2 3/4 inches in diameter, with a dome rising more than 1 1/4 inches.
This fascinating form was developed in the Netherlands, where 18th century residents of Zeeland wore it as part of their regional costume. It retains the old T-hinge and open C clasp indicative of great age, as well as the extremely substantial pinstem we associate with Georgian times. The only departure from original condition is that the pinstem, which would have been extra-long, was at some point shortened (a good idea, since they're dangerous now that we don't wear corsets and other layers of heavy underclothing).
The metal is almost certainly 835 silver (the old Dutch sterling standard), although I haven't yet spotted the mark. Given the fragility of the material, it's truly remarkable that even the respousse beads show almost no dimpling.
These aren't as heavy to wear as you'd think, because there's so much openwork. Provenance is the estate of a New Yorker who lived past 90. The brooch would have been antique, of course, long before she purchased or inherited it.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and beautiful gift wrap is also free on request. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
|
|
Rare Maundy Money Coin Charms - Georgian
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Pre Victorian:
Pre 1837 VR item# 154040
|
click for details
|
GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
Phone: 505.205.1404
$150
(Free USPS Priority Shipping
& Gift-Wrap if Desired).
|
Since the time of Edward I, who reigned from 1272 to 1307, English monarchs have observed Maundy (or Maunday) Thursday - the day before Good Friday - by distributing specially struck fine silver coins (Maundy Money) and other gifts to the "Deserving Poor" in a major cathedral service. The term "Maundy" derives, like "mandatory," from the Latin "mandatum" - meaning command. It refers to the commandment, "Love one another," expressed by Jesus at the Last Supper when he washed disciples' feet. According to my research, James II (1685-1688) was the last monarch who actually did that, too.
Our array of these coins - drilled long ago for wear as charms or pendants - includes four Georgian examples, three from the reign of George III and one from that of George IV. All are threepence: two from 1762 (sold), one from 1763 (sold) and one from 1823. The monarch's portrait appears on the front of each and, on reverse, the denomination is represented in the style still current, with the number shown beneath a crown.
The number of Maundy Money sets produced each year varied with the monarch's age. For instance, George IV was 60 at Easter in 1823, so he honored 60 worthy recipients - each receiving 4 coins, 1 of every denomination from one penny to four. Thus, besides ours, there are only 59 more 1823 Maundy threepence coins anywhere in existence.
These Georgian coins are estate items discovered during a house clearance in northern England - also the source of our 8 James II and 12 Victorian Maundy Money coins.
|
|
|
|
|
