All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1837 VR item #1426899
Lovely drop rose cut diamond earrings in the pendeloque or pear shape. The pendeloque earring shape is a pear-shaped design used for diamonds and was a popular shape for both 17th and 18th-century French earrings. The earrings are day/night, meaning the tops and bottoms can be separated and the tops worn for conservative day time wear, and top and bottom together for special occasion wear...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1426901
Lovely early Victorian bow pin of white woven hair set with turquoise in 15K gold. Hair jewelry was primarily of a romantic or loving nature. Queen Victoria was given a brooch made from her mother's hair for her 16th birthday. This pin measures 1 3/4" wide by 1 3/4" high by 1/4" deep.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1426903
Essex crystal carving of a horse and jockey surrounded by rose diamonds. Perhaps they are symbolic of the winners wreath. The crystals are carved in reverse or intaglio into the flat back to create a three-dimension trompe l'oeil effect. The image is then painted in realistic detail. The pin measures 15/16 in diameter.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1910 item #1426907
Stunning 18K gold and diamond cufflinks, c1900, depicting eagles, a great gift for that special French Cuff Guy. Stunning 18K gold and diamond cufflinks, c1900, depicting eagles. Eagles are often scene in mythological scenes w Zeus, the King of the gods, as a symbol of his strength and power. The cufflinks are hallmarked w the initials FC, referring to Frederick Courthope, a master goldsmith who worked in the Arts and Crafts tradition...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1427158
Napolean III amethyst necklace individually claw set in 18k yellow gold with gold spacers in the archeological taste. An extra amethyst gem link is available to lengthen the chain should this be desired. There is a safety chain for additional security. The necklace is 15.5 inches in length.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1427161
Smart and tailored gutta percha necklace or collar, tie it on and walk away. Gutta percha is a black or brown hard rubber like material made from the sap of a Malayan tree. In the late Victorian period it was molded in various forms to make jewelry. This necklace measures 13" long by 1 1/4" at its widest
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1427212
Wonderful silver cuff depicting a classical arch design including rose gold flowers and yellow gold arches with etched tendrils growing in between. There is a Vaughton's Patent trademark inscription on the inside. Vaughton's was an English manufacturer in Birmingham, still in existence, which made silver jewelry to appeal to all classes of society, including the "working" girl...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1427223
The term "pique" comes from the French word "piquer" (to prick) and describes a method of inlaying gold or silver onto tortoiseshell. The craft was discovered and perfected in the 17th century by the French Huguenots. The Huguenots later taught the craft to English jewelry artisans. These classical pique earrings with their Greek key design, are a perfect example of the sophistication, polish, depth and natural beauty of pique jewelry...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1900 item #1427224
C1860 sterling silver pendeloque earrings, over three inches long, make a statement no matter the occasion. The silver earrings have a thin fluted silver band wrapped round and round culminating in a small finial at the bottom. The thin silver fluted band is repeated on the top of the earring in 3 offset curves. These earrings are surprisingly light. The butterfly backs help the earrings fit securely on the ear (hopefully) never to be lost!
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1427237
Striking Victorian Whitby jet earrings with a floral design. Jet jewelry became popular after the death of Prince Albert in 1861 when the court went into official mourning. These striking earrings measure 2 1/2" long and 3/4" at their widest.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1800 item #1427239
Rare Georgian coque de perle and pyrite earrings set in low carat gold. The style of the earrings is called "Queen Anne", a misnomer as this jewelry was made in the mid-eighteenth century. The coque de perle comes from the oval section of the pearly mollusk or nautilus. Traditionally, as In this pair of earrings, coque de pearl is embellished with pyrites. The earrings measure 1" high by 7/8" wide.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1910 item #1428046
The birthstone for December, this antique five-stone turquoise ring, with its smooth, sky blue, nicely matched stones, is 15K and hallmarked Chester, 1907. Turquoise was thought to have talisman properties and to bring good fortune to the wearer. The ring is a size 7.5
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1900 item #1428047
We adore this c 1880 Shakudo ring featuring a We adore this c1880 Shakudo ring depicting a Japanese samurai warrior with two swords, dressed in traditional garb, writing his wishes on strips of paper that he will hang from bamboo branches, in Japanese tradition said to make wishes come true. Shakudo is an ancient Japanese art form which developed from the Samurai tradition of sword making...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1920 item #1428091
Historic patriotic signet ring of iron, given by the Austro Hungarian military to the soldiers who fought on behalf of the Austro-Hungarian empire during WWI. The crest on the coat of arms is a crown signifying the monarchy (soon to collapse, following WWI). Below the crest is an inscribed "E" (not certain what the E signifies). Three carved leaves "reach" around each side pointing up the center crest...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1920 item #1428092
Fabulous emerald lizard form brooch! Comprised of of emerald green pastes and set in silver, this is a perfectly proportioned lizard with distinctive silver hands and toes. The lizard's red paste eyes are a perfect compliment to the green paste. Paste was a type of leaded glass formulated in the 18th century...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1920 item #1428094
We love this Antique 15k diamond, sapphire, ruby & pearl ring, circa 1910, for its strong combination of shapes and colors as well as its dynamic symmetry. The ring sits on the diagonal, in contrast to the more common linear arrangement. Studded with old mine cut diamonds, a sapphire and a ruby, the pearl provides balance to the strong color and rough texture of the gemstones...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1900 item #1428154
Beautiful White and Yellow Gold Circle Drop Earrings C. 1900. We love these charming 15K diamond and yellow and white gold earrings. Old mine cut diamonds wrapped inside a gold cylinder dance inside a concentric gold circle and shimmer in the light. Two smaller mine cuts encased in a gold cylinder are at the top. Mille-graining, which is a minuscule bead that finishes an edge on gold or silver in jewelry, can be seen along bordering the gold cylinders, a nice detail...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1428935
Jewelers produced tie pins in the 19th century to meet the increasing demand for novelty jewelry. The spiral ridge near the top of the pin helps to hold the item of clothing, whether it be a tie or a scarf, securely in place. The increasingly liberated and activism of women toward the later half of the 19th century gave rise to a new class of sporting jewelry. Many an equestrienne was wearing horseshoe pins to the lapel of her riding clothes by the 1880's...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1900 item #1428969
We love these royal blue mirror glass earrings which shine a brighter Bristol blue with the slightest head movement...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1910 item #1429733
These beautifully crafted Egyptian revival cufflinks of sterling silver scarab beetles are the creation of Herman and Eugene Unger, German immigrants who settled in Newark, NJ and were a part of the immensely creative Art Nouveau period at the turn of the nineteenth century. Herman was the silversmith while Eugene was the engraver. Similar to the Art Nouveau period itself, their popularity was brief, not the least of which was that fact that the commercial marketplace had difficulty supporting p...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1900 item #1429867
We love the pleasing niello design of the dotted squares on these substantial cufflinks. The word "niello" is a derivation of the Latin word for "niger" meaning black. Niello was an ancient of silver decorative technique revived by a German jeweler in Paris in the early part of the nineteenth century. It is done by engraving a design on the silver, and filling the recesses with an alloy of lead, copper, sulphur, and silver. The artistry of Niello-work is such that it embodies pleasing geome...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : French : Pre 1910 item #1429869
Sophisticated and smart double sided 18K French cufflinks with the "owl" hallmark. The cufflinks are marquis shaped with 4 X's, or "kisses". The construction of the cufflinks is extremely well thought out, as the "free" end of the cufflink toggles on a hinge so it can be pulled with ease through the back cuff. For the French cuff type of guy!
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1700 item #1430282
Poesy rings were popular in England and France during the 16th through the 17th centuries as lover's gifts. The quotations were often from courtship stories and are usually inscribed on the inner surface of the ring as is the case in this one. This ring amusingly reads "A virtuous Wife Preferreth Life". We imagine that in the 17th century, a woman was indeed better off being virtuous! We think this could make a more unusual and unique wedding band than a gold band. As all gold jewelry in England...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1837 VR item #1430653
Dainty Georgian pansy pin set with amethysts and citrines in 18K gold. Pansy pins were often given as a gift from a loved as the sound of the word pansy was similar to the French "pense", meaning "think, remember me". Time to continue the tradition.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1431091
The rare fob pendant that is 3 pieces in 1; it includes a beautiful large niello dog clip which attaches to 3 niello links which further attaches to a 2 compartment round locket, .75 inches in diameter.. Long and elegant, the dog clip allows you to connect the pendant from any metal chain. The beauty of niello is that the colors work equally well with yellow gold, rose gold, silver, or even a niello chain. The locket has 2 compartments from which to hold photos. This niello technique derives...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1431092
A very modern looking Niello locket with a modern design on its face and back in black enamel and silver. This most unusual locket would look wonderful hanging from your silver chain. The locket has a Weiner Workstatte (English: Vienna Workshop) graphic style. It is likely this locket design was a Victorian predecessor to this most creative and short lived Austrian movement in the Fin de Siecle. As the Victorians were never to leave a surface unfinished, note the pleasing vertical stripes ad...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Continental : Pre 1837 VR item #1431093
Fabulous Berlin iron ring decorated what appears to be agricultural tools, including a scythe. The band has a floral motif. It is possible the ring was owned by a landowner farmer. Popular in the early 1800's, during the Napoleonic war German women gave their precious jewelry for the war effort and it was replaced with Berlin iron jewelry some with the inscription "Ich gab gelt für eisen", I gave gold for iron. The iron jewelry was made by the Royal Berlin Factory, which produced iron for i...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1431125
Wonderful 15ct double sided Victorian locket ready for your favorite photograph! This lovely chased gold locket can be worn in 2 ways, with the belt buckle motif on the one side, or the old cut diamond on the other. Both sides are beautifully chased. The buckle and buckle motif was popularized by Queen Victoria, and the belt and buckle motif represented the Order of the Garter. The Order features the garter, which is imbued with the symbol of protection, fidelity, and loyalty. Gold chain not inc...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1910 item #1431129
Stickpins, also known as tie pins, have been collected since the 18th century when neckwear for men came into fashion. They were made in all manner of styles well into the 20th century, with no limits to the imagination as the pursuit of novelty came into full swing. The sun moon and stars motif represents the flow of time as our world cycles through from day to night. We love the ethereal beauty of this stick pin with its combination of tiny pearls and turquoise, which we think helps to bring a...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Pre 1900 item #1431629
Delightful Victorian deep blue Vauxhall glass bug will be wonderful to wear for dress up or casual events. Vauxhall mirrored glass jewelry was made at the Vauxhall Glassworks in the outskirts of London, as a way of using their extra shards of mirror glass. It was sold to courting couples at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, and became immensely popular for its intense colors and the exceptional quality of the glass. During the Darwin period, any type of insect was popular, including bees, bugs, and...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Continental : Pre 1900 item #1431630
Lovely gray lava beads which were inspired by the ruins of Pompeii in Italy. Lava jewelry was actually made from the lava of Mt. Vesuvius as souvenir jewelry fro travelers on the Grand Tour. Notice how the beads are properly graduated, as one would only see on early jewelry made before mass production. The smallest beads at the clasp gradually getting larger until the central bead, which is appropriately the largest and the place where the eye is drawn to.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1910 item #1431636
Antique 9K gold Victorian "message" ring, "Mizpah, symbolizing a bond between two people, comes from a bible quote in the book of Genesis, "The Lord watch between thee and me, when we are absent one from another". Mizpah is the Hebrew word for "Watchtower", a pillar of stones which symbolized the covenant between Jacob and Laban. Mizpah rings were often exchanged between two people in the hope of protecting the two during a period of separation, often by war.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Continental : Pre 1900 item #1431644
C.1860 18ct Pietra-Dura Flower Brooch Antique 18K Gold Pietra Dura Brooch, Italy C.1875. Oval shape brooch with fine pietra dura floral green, robins egg blue inlay colors,and white and gold flowers as accents. 18K surround gold mount with 8 gold X's soldered symmetrically around the gold border.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : Continental : Pre 1920 item #1431707
We love this pale pink coral carving of a classical maiden with the depiction of a maenad (maenads were female followers of the God Bacchus, Roman mythological god of wine) carved in 14K along the ring's shoulder and on the coral head of the ring. The gold shoulder carvings add to the allure. Coral has the hardness of agate but can be carved to a level of fine detail and precision. The hallmark "14" indicate this ring is likely German/Austrian, which used the 14 designation for karat, as opposed...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1900 item #1431789
Fantastic Whitby jet earrings in the form of concentric circles, a classic geometric shape that we love. The material is made of Whitby Jet, a form of fossilized coal that came from the coal mines of Whitby England in the 18th and 19th centuries. Jet was especially popular during Victorian times because it was acceptable as a form of mourning jewelry. Jet is particularly appealing as a material for crafting jewelry because the material is lightweight and can be carved and polished to a beautiful...
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Jewelry : English : Pre 1900 item #1431856
English Victorian buckle ring in 9K and a sterling silver buckle, c1890. The contrast of the two metals is sophisticated and smart looking. The 9K band has an interesting texture, perhaps imitating shagreen. Buckle imagery was used in the Victorian and Edwardian eras to symbolize fidelity and eternal love.Suitable for a man or woman. The ring is a size 11 3/4.