Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver (346)

This 1960s necklace features narrow, vertical panels of graduated length with a textured surface decorated with pink and yellow gilding; the edges show a bit of darker oxidation. Competently constructed and designed to sit flat and move gracefully when worn; all panels are in place and show no signs of wear. The box clasp, which has a figure-eight safety catch, is marked Italy, with possible maker’s initials of FGS; they overlay the mark for .925 (sterling) silver. The necklace measures 16 inches long; the fringe width ranges from ¼ inch to 1 inch at the center. Weight: 30.7 grams

This whimsical midcentury sterling silver bracelet features large, novelty charms on a thick chain, all marked Mexico; it was probably made for the tourist trade. The charms consist of a ewer, a replica of an Aztec calendar stone, a bell, what looks to be a cooking utensil or pot, a sandal, a sombrero and a jug. All show very little wear. The bracelet’s box clasp is marked Castelan, a Taxco maker, and has marks for Mexico and sterling, including an eagle 15. The bracelet measures 7 inches long; the longest charms drop about 2 inches. Weight: 56.9 grams

Made of interlocking solid box links, this sterling silver chain has a sturdy feel and appears to have been hand-assembled. It has a novel W-shaped clasp. It is unmarked, but tests as sterling silver. The links are well designed and have a smooth, snake-like movement. The chain measures 26 ½ inches long, unclasped. The links measure about 1/8 inch thick. Weight: 28.1 grams

Five large cabochons with pink banding are set in sterling silver frames that are deeply oxidized and embossed with a ridged design. They are linked by oblong rings that are similarly decorated. The highly polished stones are securely prong set and show no scratches or other signs of wear; they may be rhodochrosites, which were popular in the 1950s. The fold-over clasp is very secure and in good working order. The bracelet is unmarked, but tests definitively for sterling. It measures 7 3/8 inches long by about 5/8 inch wide; the cabochons are about 3/8 inch high.

Composed of stylized S-shaped rods of sterling silver with beads at each end, joined by soldered connecting rings. The jump ring exhibits unidentified marks, probably European, possibly Italian. The necklace tests definitively for sterling silver. It measures 18 ¾ inches long unclasped. Weight: 11 grams

This lovely bracelet exhibits quality workmanship. It features nine linked discs decorated with exquisite bands of turquoise enamel work embedded with metal strands, possibly silver. Each disc is ringed by intricately embossed frames of flowers and leaves. The double-hook clasp is very secure. The bracelet measures 7 inches long. It is unmarked except for the word ‘Silver’ impressed on each end disc; the silver tests definitely as sterling. Dating would be around 1950. Gross weight: 20.5 grams

This handmade bracelet has a Georg Jensen feel, and was made during the height of Jensen’s popularity in the U.S. It is composed of panels of double leaves that are connected with curled, vine-like, entwined links. The workmanship is of a high quality and the look is classic Scandinavian with its focus on natural forms. The bracelet bears the mark for Lund, a Stockholm maker, as well as sterling marks for Sweden and Stockholm and a 1945 date mark. It measures 7 ¾ inches long by 1 1/8 inches wide. Weight: 38.2 grams

Composed of oval twisted-wire rings, this 1960s long chain is easy to wear and has a very contemporary look. It is unmarked, but tests as sterling and is very well constructed, with each link secured with solder. There is no clasp, just throw it on and go. When worn, the chain drops 19 ¼ inches long. Weight: 33.7 grams

This silver pin is unmarked but exhibits sophisticated metalwork. It is composed of a single piece of silver that has been hand-formed and folded to portray a tail and stylized fins or, possibly stripes or seaweed. There is some oxidation on the surface of the body, under the fins, most likely from heating the silver to make it more pliable. A chrysoprase cabochon in a bezel mount represents the eye. The pin has a secure rollover clasp. It measures a little over 3 inches long by 1 3/8 inches wide. Gross weight: 20.6 grams

This classic sterling silver 19th-century bangle is decorated with an applied buckle and belt motif that features engraved leaves on a scored background. There is an engraved leaf on each side of the buckle decoration; the back is undecorated and exhibits a minor dent. The tongue and groove clasp is secure and the hinge is in excellent condition. The inside is marked only ‘Sterling Silver.’ The bracelet measures nearly ¾ inch wide, with an internal circumference of a little over 6 ½ inches. The opening measures 2 1/8 inches across. Weight: 25.7 grams

These delicate sterling silver pendant earrings have scrolled frames supporting small teardrops. They are designed in the tradition of solje jewelry from Norway. These earrings are marked only 925 on the screw backs; there are no other markings. They measure about 2 ¼ inches long by 1/2 inch wide. Weight: 7.7 grams

This interesting sterling silver ring features an organic, bark-like surface that extends practically all the way around the band. It is marked for sterling, and shows some pitting on the interior from the casting process. The ring measures about ½ inch at the widest area; it is a size 8. Weight: 9.8 grams

This sterling silver necklace is composed of diamond-shaped elements, linked by handmade oblong rings. The entire necklace, including the rings, exhibits a hammered surface and probably dates from the 1970s. It has a very secure hook closure and bears a mark for sterling, as well as Peru. Unhooked, the necklace measures 27 ¾ inches long. Weight: 39.2 grams

Reminiscent of Scandinavian style, this bracelet features lovely openwork panels molded with graceful calla lilies. The panels are securely linked with ribbed sterling bands; the back of one panel bears an applied plaque with a patent number of 121373, which was granted in 1940 to Victor Primavera, who founded Danecraft. It has a secure hook clasp. The bracelet measures about 7 ¼ inches long by about 1 inch wide. Weight: 22.9 grams

This hand-wrought sterling silver necklace is composed of square curved and graduated panels incised with a seaweed-like design, called "Pine Needle." Each panel is linked by securely soldered rings and bars; the end ring links to a hook closure. The back of one panel bears a plaque with the mark of Joseph Skinger, a mid-century arts and crafts metalsmith and sculptor from Vermont (1911-1967). The choker necklace measures 13 ¼ inches long, unclasped; the graduated panels measure ¾ inch at the widest. Weight: 36.6 grams

This whimsical silver pin, possibly formed as a French horn, features a bell made of amber. The amber is in very nice condition, without scratches or wear. There are silver marks on the pin stem that look to be Russian, but they aren’t clear enough for a definite identification. The rollover clasp is very secure, and tests for silver, as does the pin stem. The pin measures about 2 inches long, from the mouthpiece to the bell, and 1 1/8 inches wide. Gross weight: 11 grams

This simple, well-designed sterling silver necklace has a sleek modernist design of long, rectangular bars with a wood-textured surface. The result is a classic, wearable necklace with versatility and style. The bars are securely connected by soldered rings, with the original spring-ring clasp. The maker’s mark is a geometrical symbol and not identified at this time; there is also a mark for sterling. The necklace measures 16 ¼ inches long, unclasped, and ¼ inch wide. Weight: 36.2 grams

This substantial sterling silver bracelet is designed as a classic double-hinged bangle, with eight sides. The modernistic fold-over clasp serves as one hinge, and has the same design as the opposite link. The bracelet bears the mark of Barcelona, Spain, jeweler Puig Doria, which is still producing jewelry of various materials in addition to silver. The bracelet dates to the 1970s and measures ½ inch wide, with an interior circumference of about 7 inches. Weight: 66.3 grams