Catalog (525)

A copper bangle decorated with colorful enamel imitating a variegated agate, from Renoir’s Matisse line of enamel on copper jewelry. The enamel is in good condition, with no visible damage or loss. The bangle measures ½ inch wide, and the opening is 2 ¾ inches across.

A bold bow pin enhanced with white chalcedony at the knot and in teardrops at the ribbon ends, with an unidentified maker’s mark of S within a C. The stones are securely mounted, exhibiting some wear -- tiny scratches and minor loss to the polished surface -- but no cracks or chips. The pin surface has a warm patina from age, with minor surface scratches. The clasp is very secure; the pin stem is slightly bent but in good working order. (The vertical lines in the photos are from reflected light.) The pin measures 3 inches wide by 2 ¾ inches long. Gross weight: 34.7 grams

Composed of four identical eight-sided sterling silver buttons with molded edges and bold bands of black and maroon enamel. The enamel shows no damage or loss; the backs are securely attached by bridge bars. (The tiny dark spots in the photos are areas of tarnish.) Each button measures a little over ½ inch across. Total weight: 6 grams

A substantial sterling silver chain composed of doubled rings, bars and beads with connecting links; there is a central ring for attaching a pendant, or the chain can be worn as is. The secure box clasp bears what appears to be the maker’s mark of Beto, as pictured in Bille Hougart’s Mexican silver marks book, third edition, p. 27. The eagle 22 is the most legible mark; the others are not entirely clear. The chain measures 27 ½ inches long, unclasped. Weight: 38 grams

Formed as fish skeletons, they are nicely made, with working screw backs that are marked sterling. The backs of the fish are also marked sterling, along with a partial mark that ends with the word ‘Silversmith.’ Please note that some of the pictures show the surface with a yellow cast; the truest color of the silver is in the last two photos. Each earring measures 1 1/8 inches long. Weight: 6.6 grams total

Decorated with applied wirework rosettes, this hoop necklace has an Asian feel, but sports Austrian import marks (hard to see in the photo). It is continuous, and doesn’t appear to have ever had a clasp. The necklace has a nice weight and a dramatic, contemporary look. The Austrian mark for silver content is illegible, but the necklace is probably .800 or .835 fineness; the mark indicates a registration in Vienna. Doubled, it measures about 14 ½ inches long. Weight: 74.8 grams

This stunning bracelet is composed of an applied cast floral layer on a plain, hinged bangle bracelet, with a secure tongue-and-groove clasp and security chain. The tongue bears French import marks that guarantee a silver content of at least .800, and probably dates anywhere from the 1930s to the 1950s. The bangle measures about ½ inch wide with an internal circumference of just under 7 inches. Gross weight: 28.4 grams

Moonstone cabochons are bezel-mounted within oval onyx panels sitting in silver linked frames. All stones are very secure; one moonstone has a crack down the center that isn’t highly visible but can be felt by running a fingernail over it. The moonstones exhibit a milky quality with some blue highlights.The bracelet has a new sterling silver spring-ring clasp. The bracelet is unmarked, but the bezel mounts around the onyx panels test positively for silver. It measures about 7 ¾ inches long, including the clasps.

A nice revival piece imitating the late Victorian Scottish agate pins. The agates are securely set in etched sterling silver. The top features a pierced setting mounted with a glass half-bead in the same dark honey color of the original Scottish cairngorms. The pin has a rollover clasp that probably replaced the original C-clasp. The pin stem appears to be original. The pin is unmarked, but tests as sterling silver. It measures a little over 2 ½ inches long.

This textured cuff bracelet features a pocked surface and is decorated with applied half-beads of molded silver. The piece is unmarked, but definitively tests as silver, possibly sterling. Its surface exhibits areas of oxidation, and a couple of areas where the texture didn’t take in the molding process. The bracelet measures 1 ½ inches wide, with an interior circumference of just under 7 inches, including the 1 ¼-inch opening between the terminals. Weight: 52.3 grams

A whimsical openwork pin formed as a running stylized reindeer. The back bears the mark of Navajo silversmith Joe Delgarito, of Sedona, Arizona. It has a secure rollover clasp and measures 2 ¾ inches long by just under 3 inches high, measured at the antlers. Weight: 11.2 grams

A deeply carved guilloche design radiates from a central rose and leaves on this sterling panel pendant. It hangs from its original silk cord, and features a small similarly decorated sterling and enamel slide, as well as a sterling chain tassel. A cobalt blue enamel border contrasts nicely with the silver panel. The back of the pendant is marked H.F.B., for H.F. Barrows & Co., of North Attleboro, Mass. The cord shows no signs of wear and is well secured to the bale. The pendant measures 2 ¼ inches long including tassel and bale, and about 1 ¼ inches wide. The entire necklace measures 19 ¼ inches long, doubled.

This interesting openwork bronze pin is formed as a stylized horse and is based on ancient Nordic design. It has a lacquered finish to preserve the surface color of the bronze. The back has a secure curled C-clasped and the mark of Finnish maker Koravala Koru. The name of Suomussalmi, a region in Finland, is inscribed on the back as well. The pin measures 2 inches long by about 1 ¾ inches high at the ear.

Composed of a curving piece of forged wire, these earrings evoke a feeling of graceful movement. Each wire design is attached to a constrasting static teardrop-shaped top. They have secure posts and a nice patina from age. They are unmarked, but test definitively for sterling. Each earring measures just under 2 inches long by 1 inch wide. Gross weight: 5.7 grams total

This money clip is light but sturdy, with an openwork design that appears to depict part of the Chinese symbols for happiness. The surface shows very little wear and a soft patina. The back is marked sterling. The clip measures 2 3/8 inches long by just over 1 ¼ inches wide. Weight: 13.3g

This roughly-made pewter pendant has a hammered-look surface and the look of an ancient Nordic medallion. It has its original chain, which is secured with a spring-ring clasp. The pendant bears the mark of Norwegian workshop Troll-Tinn, of Åndalsnes, and has its original chain. The pendant measures 5 ½ inches long, including the bale, and 2 3/8 inches wide; clasped, the entire necklace measures just under 14 ¾ inches long.

This interesting bracelet has a rough look to it, with irregular edges and iridescent, highly oxidized surface. The band is pierced as a belt, and is hammered into a strong but flexible construction. The hook clasp is secure and shows no signs of stress. The bangle shows very few signs of wear; it is unsigned and marked as sterling. It measures just under ½ inch wide; inner circumference is 7 inches. The bracelet opens about 1 inch to accommodate the wrist. Weight: 19.3 grams

This is a small pin, but its design reflects both charm and sophistication, with overlapping strands of sterling silver terminating in a smooth, fused surface. It is beautifully oxidized, which gives the piece depth, and nicely sets off the 6mm coral bead. The pin is marked ‘phyllis’ and sterling on the back, for modernist jeweler Phyllis Sklar. Sklar began selling her handcrafted jewelry in Greenwich Village during the 1950s, eventually moving to Provincetown, MA, where she died in 2010. Some of her pieces are signed with both her mark and that of her husband, Israel Sklar, who also produced his own designs. The pin measures 1 1/8 inches long by about 7/8 inch wide.