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Antiques (76)
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Antique Belais White Gold Cufflinks World War I Era
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Arts and Crafts:
Pre 1920 item# 1109681
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$185
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In the "Nick" of time for holiday gifting, we've been lucky enough to enlarge our selection of cufflinks by the legendary Belais brothers. Replenishing this stock has become terribly hard to do, now that so many more people have discovered the beauty and quality of Belais white gold. Some sellers even on eBay are pricing these in the $300 range now, whereas we like to offer them at much more reasonable cost.
Having gotten a nice deal on this pair of beauties from a Wisconsin estate, we can pass savings along to you -- as well as an unusual and charming design. The intricately engraved pattern on each of the four faces suggests a pinwheel made of feathers or perhaps a burst of fireworks, within two rings of zig-zags of the sort that represent lightning in the symbology of the Arts & Crafts movement. Motifs of this sort tend to figure in Belais links that pre-date World War I, after which patterns became more classically geometric in line with the Art Deco sensibility. In my opinion, however, these are a little later (transitional rather than Edwardian), since the fasteners have a streamlined look and the stamping isn't quirky; "Belais 14K White Gold Front" appears on each reverse. Size is 3/4" round and condition, as you see, is excellent.
Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. There's no charge for insured US shipping, with an equivalent discount for international delivery, and we're always happy to gift-wrap free on request. Thanks for looking!
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Antique Necklace Beaded in Suffragette Colors
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Strands:
Pre 1920 item# 1080618
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you! $125
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When you see green, white and violet together on historic jewelry, this unusual color combination usually signifies that the piece was owned by a member of the Suffragette movement. To them, the first letters of these colors stood for Give Women (the) Vote.
Here that message resounds in a beautiful rope-like necklace, lovingly woven of white, violet and green beads -- hundreds or perhaps thousands of them. At 38 inches long, it doesn't need a clasp. The necklace drapes beautifully and, despite its thickness, is very light and comfortable to wear. The beads look like celluloid, but may be some other early plastic.
Woven necklaces of this type were popular from Late Victorian through Edwardian times and into the early years of the Art Deco era. Ours comes from an Illinois estate in wonderful condition. It can't have been worn much -- probably because it was made very shortly before the vote was granted and then tucked away as a memento. I expect it was created between 1910 and 1920, possibly by its original owner or as a gift for her from a friend or family member. Ladies of this era were highly skilled at handicrafts and publications offered them lots of ideas and instructions. We recently sold a necklace of the very same pattern but only 28 inches in length, which reinforces the notion that this design may have appeared in a popular magazine.
All Suffragette jewelry has been rocketing in price since the 2004 TV movie "Iron Jawed Angels" revealed what the gals went through (arrests, hunger strikes and beatings). Wearing Suffragette jewels is a great way to show your pride and appreciation and, now that the genre has been rediscovered, they have serious investment value, too.
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 to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Deco Flapper Beads of Vivid Art Glass on Fancy Chain
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Strands:
Jewels:
Pre 1940 item# 1063037
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$95 SALE. Was $125.
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Their rich mix of colors makes these Art Deco beads extra-special, as do the varied stone cuts and link types. It all adds up to a wonderfully unexpected and festive look, and a necklace that will go with just about anything.
The 29 prettily faceted faux-gems are of a quality that suggests Czech origin. They include ovals of blue topaz, squares of amethyst and olivine, rounds of amber and chunky rectangles of smoky topaz, all set in gilt brass frames with beaded detail. The connecting links of gilt brass feature both rounds and "paperclip" ovals.
Total length is about 35 inches, so the clasp is superfluous, unless you want to wrap the strand around your neck several times.
Provenance is an estate in Florida (the great Deco mecca) and condition is lovely, showing only age-appropriate darkening of the metal and, under magnification, minor surface wear. Probable dating would be late 1920s or early 1930s, making the necklace antique by American 75-year standards, not just vintage.
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!
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Superb Antique Czech Girandole Brooch or Pendant c1918
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Costume:
Rhinestone:
Pre 1920 item# 1062911
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
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$225
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This breathtaking brooch, which can also be worn as a pendant or hair toy, dates from soon after the First World War, but has a decidedly 19th century look. In fact, its girandole form with three gracefully swaying drops dates from the 18th century, but Queen Victoria kept it popular via her passion for wearing jewels made for her grandmother, Queen Charlotte.
Also evoking earlier times is the dazzling array of multi-colored stones favored in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which World War I ended. The brooch's "Czecho" stamp -- the first signature used after Czech independence -- reminds us of how Eastern Europe was reshaped in 1918. Still, the Imperial tastes survived beautifully for a brief while. Long known for producing the finest art glass gems, this region was also renowned for brilliant enameling and fancy gilt filigree metalwork. Here we see it all come together in lavish "Last Gasp of the Old Austro-Hungarian Empire" style.
The brooch is of significant size (2.5 by 2.75 inches) and in fine condition, showing surprisingly little wear even on the brightly gilded reverse. In deference to the purists among us, we've left it in as-found condition, but you may want to touch the small patches of verdigris with a bit of vinegar to neutralize them so they won't spread, then dab the vinegar away with a little water. It's a good idea to do this, whenever you notice greenish areas on your antique treasures.
This rare and splendid piece reached us from a California estate. Its safety clasp is of the type introduced around 1890, with two levers instead of one; the hinge is the old 19th century type, which lets the pinstem wobble a bit from side to side; and the pinstem shows evidence of being snipped and filed down at some time -- which is great for safety, since the extra-long ones could so easily draw blood. That's why they phased out during the earliest years of the 20th century, when women stopped wearing layers of intricate underclothing, and seldom appear on items crafted after World War I.
To wear the brooch as a glamorous necklace pendant, just run a narrow ribbon or chain through the filigree at the top.
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!
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Gold Filigree Sweetheart Ring or Wedding Band 1930s
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Deco:
Pre 1940 item# 1043712
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
Sold; thank you!
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This gracefully shaped filigree ring of yellow gold has an Edwardian delicacy, but most likely dates from around 1930-1935, still in the the Art Deco era but after the crash of 1929.
"Depression Deco" jewels are less lavish than styles from the 1920s, but they can be very pretty, indeed. Piercework and textures were used artfully to make the most of less gold and provide sparkle without gemstones. This is a refreshing look today, when many of us also crave elegant simplicity instead of extravagance.
Marked 10K, this beauty from a Midwestern estate also bears the letters AF JC - probably the initials of bride and groom but possibly a maker's stamp. Currently a U.S. size 6, it's in splendid condition, ready to celebrate 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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Mesmerizing Antique Arts and Crafts Blue Spinel Ring
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Silver:
Arts and Crafts:
Pre 1940 item# 1038613
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$285 SALE. Was $345.
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This antique blue spinel ring has a hypnotic effect, like gazing through the sheen of sunlight into deep, deep water. It's more than an inch tall, about 3/8 of an inch wide and stunningly faceted. Getting photos was a major challenge, due to the gem's mirror-like luster and elaborate marquise cut.
Many people mistakenly believe spinels are synthetics, when actually they're among the hardest and loveliest natural gemstones. In their most common red version, they've been frequently confused with rubies. For instance, the famous "Black Prince's Ruby" in the British Imperial State Crown turned out to be a spinel. Being blue, this is a rare spinel to begin with, and its ultra-rich color and size add to the rarity.
Another fascinating attribute of this ring is the convergence of Arts and Crafts and Art Deco style currents. The setting, appropriately for such a fancy-shaped stone, is simple, graceful and more than likely hand-made. Ornamented with only a couple of silver beads and a bit of engraving on the sides, the mount has a distinctly Arts and Crafts look. However, an early Arts and Crafts piece probably would have a plain cabochon stone, rather than a towering geometric shape suggesting Art Deco. Based on the blend of design influences, I believe it was made around 1930, so it's already antique by American 75-year standards.
Condition of the jewel is lovely. It takes a 10X loupe to notice any flaws at all and, even then, signs of age-appropriate wear are very minor. Markings inside the band are "Sterling Shank" and a maker's mark I haven't been able to interpret. It's a "V" over a horizontal diamond shape. If that means anything to you, please let us know.
The ring came from a New York estate, where the seller noted, "Blue spinel brings peace." I don't know about that, but this one is sure to bring a lot of pleasure.
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 to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Gorgeous Antique Asian Horn and Brass Cuff Bracelet
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Ethnic:
Pre 1940 item# 1038494
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$95 SALE. Was $125.
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This spectacular cuff bracelet combines gleaming bands of repousse brasswork with two large curved pieces of horn, heavily black-lacquered. Its scale is impressive: almost an inch and a half wide. Obviously hand-crafted, it has the old-style peg closure. Probable dating is circa 1925-1935, so this piece is already antique, not merely vintage, by American 75-year standards.
The bracelet's interior diameter is about 2.5 inches by 2.25 inches (slightly oval), making it perfect for a small to medium wrist, up to about 7 inches. (Even I can wear it without its falling off my hand, although with lots of extra room around my silly 5-inch wrist).
In amazing condition, considering its age and travels, this treasure shows only age-appropriate surface wear on close inspection. In those areas, we glimpse a reddish color beneath the black finish; this must have been the the first step in the lacquer process, being similar to the underlying red that gives depth to gold leafing.
There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping, with an equivalent discount on international delivery, and gift-wrap is always free on request. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking!
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Superb Pueblo Deco Fringed Flapper Beads Necklace
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Strands:
Pre 1940 item# 1038429
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$125 SALE. Was $145.
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Very briefly in the early 20th century, the Pueblo Deco style appeared as a fusion of Native American artwork with Art Deco design. Its legacy is largely architectural, including such cultural treasures as Albuquerque's KiMo Theatre. Authentic jewels from the era are rare and highly collectible.
A wonderful example is this antique necklace from the 1920s or early 1930s, which has Flapper Girl tassels and also evokes the Egyptian Revival style popular at the time. Iridescent green glass beads add vivid accents to the sophisticated white and black pattern that finishes with a graceful 3 ½-inch tassel. The necklace would have been made by an artisan in New Mexico, which was then being popularized as 'The Land of Enchantment' by enterprising hoteliers and the Santa Fe Railroad. As you see, it's still in lovely condition.
A similar necklace is pictured on page 85 of "Collectible Costume Jewelry ID and Value Guide" by S. Sylvia Henzel and was valued at $175 some years ago.
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 to confirm availability, order or request more photos.
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Exotic Old Faux Amber and Silver Filigree Necklace
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Ethnic:
Pre 1940 item# 1038418
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$95 SALE. Was $125.
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Here's a head-turning necklace for you, obviously hand-made and of considerable age. Whenever I wear it, compliments flow and everyone believes it's genuine amber.
Adding to the opulence, the stacks of amber slices are separated by nine highly ornate spacer beads. The beads certainly contain some silver, since they've acquired a heavy patina.
I believe this piece dates from the early 20th century, based on its fancy link chain -- very similar to the "paperclip" style seen on necklaces from the Arts and Crafts era. Its origin could be Middle Eastern or perhaps it's from farther East. If you recognize the style and can place it definitively, please let us know. Provenance is an estate in New Mexico, where exotic jewelry is prized.
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 to confirm availability, order or request more photos.
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Stunning Victorian 14k Gold Angelskin Coral Stickpin
Catalogue:
Estate Jewelry:
Gold:
Victorian:
Pre 1900 item# 1038012
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GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear
505.205.1404
$185 SALE. Was $275.
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This gorgeous antique pin made of 14K gold (tested) is set with a luscious large cabochon of angelskin coral, the most precious type. A stunning adornment for your lapel, scarf or hat, it dates circa 1870 and measures slightly more than 2 5/8 inches long. The gold frame that surrounds the stone has a lovely hand-chased edge and measures a little more than 5/8 of an inch tall by half an inch at the widest. Probable origin would be American (most likely New York, given the quality), since European gold usually has a phalanx of hallmarks.
As you see, the pin is in superb condition. It even comes with an antique fastener of the same period, although we can't be sure it's original to the jewel. The locking neb slide, which appears to be made of gilt brass, bears its manufacturer's name, HOLD-ON, along with the Patent number 3009. Assuming this is an U.S. design patent, the number dates it to 1868. (As a standard American patent, that number would date it to 1843, which seems a bit too early.) The mechanism is self-locking; you need to pull on the small end piece in order to slide it off, so you can enjoy this treasure without worry about losing it.
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 to confirm availability, order or request more photos.
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