Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver (346)

This sterling bracelet features a sophisticated design influenced by the ancient Americas, composed of rectangular, scrolled links. They are securely connected by curled elements that have retained their shape. The bracelet shows hardly any wear and has a nice heft. The hook clasp is in good working condition and bears an Eagle 1 mark for sterling with a circular mark for Taxco and maker’s intials of MP. The bracelet measures 7 ½ inches long by ½ inch wide. Weight: 26 grams.

Of hollow construction and graduated thickness, with angular sides. The top surface of the bracelet has been machine-etched in a tight zig-zag pattern. The hinge has a good spring and the bracelet has retained its shape and sits nicely on the wrist. The inner circumference measures 7 inches; the bracelet opens to 1 ½ inches to slide over the hand. It is light and comfortable to wear, with a classic neat look. It has the Italian post-1968 mark for sterling. Weight: 15.6 grams

This chain is nicely hand-constructed with applied cast curled pieces that are reminiscent of the applied and hand-worked French chains of the turn of the 20th century. This one appears to be a bit later; the beading looks to have been cast with the rest of the elements and connected with hand-formed S-shaped links. It has a hand-formed hook closure, and a substantial feel. There is a partial mark for .800 silver on the hook. One element is missing the beads, although it shows no damage; otherwise, the chain looks barely used. The chain measures 30 ½ inches long, end to end. Weight: 27.2 grams

Six silver panels frame embossed, hand-painted porcelain panels, in a style very popular during the 1950s and early 1960s. They depict four chrysanthemums and two orchids, in shades of pink and purple, white, yellow centers all on black backgrounds. The bracelet was made by the Toshikane company of Japan, as marked on the box clasp. The metal has been tested for silver; the ring links between the panels are secure. The clasp is in good working order and the bracelet still has its original safety chain. The porcelains are in lovely condition with vivid colors. The bracelet measures 6 ½ inches long and about 7/8 inch wide.

A clever design composed of three forged wires terminating in curls at each end. The bracelet is handmade and quite sturdy. It bears a mark inside one curl of a three-lobed cypher and STG, possibly for sterling. The metal shows a very strong test for silver. The bracelet has a 6 ½-inch internal circumference, which includes a 1 1/4–inch opening; it is ¼ inch wide. Weight: 21 grams

Composed of delicate, sectional curved bars with ring links. Each piece bears the unidentified maker’s mark of GHS and the sterling mark and Mexico marks; the necklace also has what looks like an eagle 3 mark. Both pieces have secure hook and ring clasps. The necklace is 18 ½ inches long; the bracelet measures 7 ¼ inches long. Weights: necklace, 24.6 grams; bracelet, 10.1 grams

A classic Danecraft circle pin with nicely detailed molded acorns and curling leaves. It has a secure rollover clasp. The pin measures 1 ¾ inches in diameter. Gross weight: 10.6 grams

This interesting studio piece is composed of a geometric lattice-like design set with a dyed blue chalcedony in a secure bezel mounting. The spring-ring clasp is secure and marked 925 for sterling; the oblong panels linked by chain also test strongly as silver. The necklace measures 18 inches long, with a 3-inch-long center drop. Gross weight: 38.8 grams

A charming design, nicely molded and enhanced with oxidation, this owl pin is small but substantial. The eyes are composed of turquoise enamel. The rollover clasp is very secure. The pin is unmarked, but tests definitively for sterling silver. It measures 1 ½ inches long by 1 ¼ inches at its widest area. Weight: 11.6 grams

This lovely pin is composed of lacy, intricate sterling filigree work surrounding an oval-shaped piece of carnelian. One delicate filigree band is gilded and the other is highly oxidized for contrast. There is a gilded rollover clasp of good quality, probably added later to replace a C-clasp but contemporary to the period of 1950s-1960s. The stone shows no wear or scratching. The back exhibits the words “Italy” and “sterling.” The pin measures 1 ¾ inches long by 1 ½ inches wide.

An abstract design, the pendant is set with what appears to be blue indicolite, which is a type of tourmaline, or blue jade. It is marked sterling on the reverse. The chain is composed of linked sterling edged rods, and is marked Italy and sterling on the flattened jump ring. One rod is slightly bent. The entire clasped necklace measures 18 inches long; the pendant is 3 inches long by 2 3/8 inches wide.

Of modernist design, both cast and hand-forged and composed of two flat sides terminating in hollowed ends, one with a protruding side. The tongue-and-groove clasp is in good working order. The bracelet exhibits some signs of wear, such as scratches and tiny dings to the edges. The very tip of the protrusion has a tiny dent. There are two different marks on the outer side (one is struck twice) that look to be foreign but are unidentified. One is likely a silver mark, and the bangle did test definitively for silver. It has an inner circumference of about 6 ¾ inches and measures ¾ inch at its widest part. Weight: 30.5 grams

Composed of cast rectangular double links, this classy bracelet from the 1960s-1970s is sturdy and well made with completely soldered connecting bars. The bracelet has a good heft and a secure, clever clasp with a pressure spring closure. The bracelet is marked for sterling, with a partial mark of ITALY and a double-struck partial sterling mark. The bracelet measures 7 ¾ inches long and a little over ¼ inch wide. Weight: 29.6 grams

Composed of curved openwork panels formed as highly stylized bird heads, possibly eagles, with a pre-Columbian influence. The tongue-and-groove clasp is original and very secure for this substantial bracelet. It is bears the circular mark for Pedro Castillo, who worked for Spratling and Aguilar in the 1930s and started his own taller in the 1940s (per Bille Hougart’s ‘Little Book’ of Mexican silver marks, p. 41). It measures 7 ½ inches long, taking into account the curved panels, by 7/8 inch wide. The detached security chain can be removed or re-attached, depending on buyer preference. Weight: 83.8 grams

The pendant is composed of two hand-wrought flat pieces of sterling silver formed into an oval with three applied silver beads on one side. An irregular-shaped piece of polished moss agate, mounted in a sterling bezel, dangles in the center. The entire pendant is suspended from a substantial sterling chain of forged wire. One of the forged links near the hook clasp bears a crown with a W above; another link is marked with an overstruck W. Two of the links indicate sterling. The necklace measures 13 ½ inches long, clasped. The pendant alone measures 3 3/8 inches long, including the bale, and 2 inches wide.

Dramatically decorated with an embossed and oxidized Celtic design. The inside of the cuff exhibits hammering; it is quite sturdy and has retained its shape. The bracelet shows hardly any signs of wear. It is marked 925 sterling inside the band. It measures 1 ¼ inches wide and the opening measures anbout 1 inch across. It has a 7-inch internal circumference. Weight: 61 grams

The pendant is composed of a forged oval frame surrounding an applied lost-wax cast piece of organic design. It is suspended from a sturdy leather cord that exhibits some wear and stiffness. The necklace is secured by a spring-ring clasp marked sterling. The pendant is unmarked, but tests as sterling silver; its surface is tarnished and could use a light cloth polishing. The necklace measures 14 ½ inches long when clasped; the pendant measures 2 ½ inches long (including the bail) by 1 5/8 inches wide. Gross weight: 24.7 grams

This quirky and charming bird pin is the work of a talented Peruvian jeweler named Goizueta, of whom very little is known. The pin is set with two pieces of greenish-blue stone known as azurite or chrysocolla. There is some roughness to the edges of the round piece, but it is securely mounted. The pin has a secure rollover clasp and bears the name of T. Goizueta, as well as marks for sterling and Peru. It is quite substantial and measures 1 ¼ inches by 1 ¾ inches.