Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry (7)

Brooch / pin made of ivory or horn, engraved and painted with a pair of auspicious birds, magpies, in a pine tree, accompanied by a poem in minuscule calligraphy. China, c 1900. Width "1 ½ / 3.8 cm. Condition: fine.

A late 19th century lorgnette, guilloché enamel and silver handle. The enamel decoration is of a rose flower and diminutive gold buds on a light blue background. The shell-shaped end of the handle conceals the spring mechanism that opens up the two brass roundels for the lenses. No hallmark to the enameled handle, but the work is most probably French. A loop at the end of the handle allows for a chain or a string...

Cut steel brooch, early Victorian, c 1850 or possibly somewhat earlier, with hand cut studs riveted to a brass plate. Some of the studs with as much as 21 facets. Cut steel jewelry were often used in the evening, to create a sparkling, diamond-like effect. Width "1 ½ / 4 cm, height "2 ½/ 6,5 cm. Condition: a few studs missing (cf pics).

Bakelite belt buckle. black and ivory colored, late Art Nouveau or Jugendstil design, c 1920. Not signed, possibly French. Height "2 ¼ / 6 and width "3 ¾ / 9.5 cm. Condition: fine.

Victorian brooch or pin, a bunch of fruit an d flowers made up of Gutta Percha. This dark brown material, a predecessor of bakelite - was first introduced in the great Crystal Palace exhibition in 1851 and was often used in mourning jewelry pieces after the death of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, in 1861. Made from the sap of a Malayan tree. Width " 1 ½ / 4 cm. Condition: a leaf or two missing under the biggest fruit (cf. pics).

A very English copper bachelor button – a substitute for an ordinary sewn-on button - Victorian, for your cloak or jacket, works excellently. Punch sitting, feather pen in hand, looking at the latest issue of his magazine, dated November 1878, his watchful dog Toby by his side. Interestingly, a diamond patent mark is seen under the chair. Unusual, marked ”The Patent Safety Solitaire”. Diameter "1/ 2.5 cm.

Pair of gilt brass and rhinestone shoe buckles or clasps with cut and engraved leaves motif. Unmarked, probably French, c. 1900. Width "2/ 5 cm. Condition: some stains to the gilt surface as seen on photo.