A classic modernist silver pendant or charm representing the Zodiac sign Aquarius (“le Verseau”). A long-haired maiden pours water from a large ewer. The design is worked with a semi-matte finish and is enclosed in a highly-polished frame. The pendant retains its original jump ring...

A stunning mid-century 18K yellow gold strap (or buckle or jarretière) bracelet enhanced with diamonds set in platinum by the Parisian jeweler Sabban & Azoulay. The strap is worked in an ornately constructed open weave design called “maille polonaise” or “Polish mesh” and is finished in a contrasting braided pattern. The strap ends with a row of graduated diamonds mounted in a v-shaped platinum setting finished with foxtail fringe...

A heavy French 18K gold and diamond pendant depicting a mythological griffin. The creature has the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. His open jaws clasp an old mine cut diamond. The diamond is graded as G color, SI1 clarity. Griffins in brooches are often shown in a crouching position, but in this example, the creature is standing upright in a more assertive pose. The piece can be worn as a brooch or as a pendant suspended from the loops at the wing tips...

An attractive 18K gold and green chalcedony band. The carved chalcedony band is enclosed by gold on each side and is adorned with a gold crossband at the front. The ring is stamped with French 18K gold hallmarks.

• Origin: France, ca 1970
• Condition: very good, minor wear to the back side of the gold band
• Finger Size: 6-1/4
• Width: 3/16”
• Weight: 2.1 grams

A stunning early Victorian snake necklace in 18K gold. The body is worked in a graduated series of scaled links terminating in an ornate emerald- and garnet-set head suspending an emerald-set foliate drop. The construction of the snake’s body is very flexible and feels silky like a true snake. The ornate head with repoussé and chased decoration is more fanciful and resembles a Chinese dragon...

A very nice and heavy vintage Italian crown-shaped charm or pendant worked in 18K yellow gold and set with citrines and pearls. The gold surfaces are enhanced with rope twist and beaded appliques and wire brushing. The citrines have particularly rich color trending away from yellow and more toward the deep amber shade of cognac. The pearls have nice luster...

A pretty Georgian heart pendant worked in 18K yellow gold and featuring a double-cut citrine heart. The gold surfaces are decorated in a repousse floral motif. The citrine is cut with lapidary facets on both sides it looks the same from the back or front. The stone has very pleasant pale yellow coloring. The jump ring is original to the pendant...

A fine and ornate Victorian quadruple foxtail watch chain worked in 18K gold with rubies and bloodstone. Two slides, each with engraved floral decoration and set with cushion cut rubies, enhance the chain. The two slides are drawn close together so the chain plaits itself in the middle. One end of the chain terminates in a dog clip clasp. The other end terminated in a watch key and a fob seal decorated to match the slides...

An elegant pair of 18K yellow gold Art Nouveau cufflinks set with rose and single cut diamonds. The cufflinks have a classic design of whiplash curves typical of Art Nouveau jewelry. They are worked in both slightly matte bloomed and polished textures for added interest. The torpedo backs are connected by wired bridges...

A rare Art Nouveau brooch worked in 18K gold depicting Eros, the Greek god of love and harmony. “Amor” is the Latin version of his name, and English-speakers usually refer to him as “Cupid.” He is shown here with a quiver of arrows used to inflame love in the hearts of his targets. The quiver’s strap is set with small rose cut diamonds for an added bit of sparkle. The name “Amor” is included in the design to the left of Amor’s head...

A handsome pair of French stirrup-form 18K gold cufflinks formed as interlocking ropetwist links. The cufflinks open at the pointed end and are very easy to put on and remove. Each is stamped with French 18K gold marks and with an unidentified master goldsmith’s mark (“RC” with a bird).

• Origin: France, ca 1965
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 15/16” x 27/32”
• Weight: 13.3 grams(/li>

A heavy French 18K gold and diamond pendant depicting a mythological griffin...

A very handsome Retro bracelet worked in rose and yellow gold links enhanced with engraving in a snakeskin texture. The color contrast is very attractive, and the links are made in such a way that the bracelet drapes very nicely on the wrist. The box clasp is stamped with Italian gold marks of the period and the goldsmith’s registry number 1 TO for Antica Ditta Marchisio (now Mattioli Gioielli). Founded in 1860, the house is the oldest jeweler in Torino, Italy, and was a maker for several luxu...

A very good Georgian watch fob seal worked in 15K yellow gold with ornate floral repousse floral decoration. The section connecting the fob frame to the bail is chased in a foliate pattern that matches the floral theme. One side of the flip part is set with a banded agate while the other side features an exquisitely chased and engraved gold plaque depicting a flower basket beneath a clear rock crystal cover. The gold plaque is likely very close to pure gold which would have made it easier to wor...

This interesting pin is in the shape of a lyre (a precursor of the harp – Orpheus played the lyre). The coppery rose gold is engraved, with black enamel highlights, and dedicated to “GAO From G.V.” It measures 1-1/16” x 13/16” and weighs 3.6g, with the original old pin stem assembly. Unmarked, the brooch tests as 14k, and the pin stem tests as at least 10k. It is in excellent condition. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. NOTE: rose gold can be hard t...

Mary Ann Sherr modernist sterling silver earrings

2 1/2" x 1 1/4"

Weight - 10 grams

Post back

Signed on verso

"Like mother like daughter" (and why not? father and son as well) is what came to mind when I saw this sweet Mexican silver and turquoise "baby" cuff bracelet. Beautifully stamped with ornamentation in the Native American / Southwestern style and centered by a rich blue turquoise stone with warm dark brown matrix the cuff is, of course, also ideal for those of us out there with very small wrists. Over the years of my love-affair with vintage Mexican jewelry, I have come upon "baby size" cuffs bu...

Vintage Topazio Portuguese sterling silver hinged bangle bracelet in a classic for the genre "harvest calendar" design in which different months of the year are illustrated by either a flower, fruit or other staple that characterizes them. I love these bracelets for their representation of the cyclical nature of time and their allusion to earlier decades when the availability of food depended on one's location and the specific season. In the example at hand the figural decoration is distinct and...

A lovely late Victorian 18K gold locket, the front and back covers worked in a stippled texture with engine-turned engraving along the borders. The front is further enhanced with a spray of vivid blue forget-me-nots and green foliage. In Victorian flower language, forget-me-nots symbolized true love or the desire to be remembered—either one a very fitting sentiment for a locket. The back cover has a monogram reserve that was never engraved. The interior retains the original frames and glass on...

Rope designs were used exclusively in Spratling's 1st design period, 1931-46. This amethyst & 980 sterling pendant measures 2" X 1 3/4" X 1 3/8". The box is suspended by a heavy sterling Spratling chain measuring 24" long. Both box and chain are in beautiful condition. The circular clasp is tight and secure. Fully hallmarked WS 980 TAXCO. The amethyst box necklace is pictured in MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk and in SPRATLING SILVER: A FIELD GUIDE by Phyllis Goddard.

A stand out modernist sterling silver Neck Ring designed by Minas Spiridis, (1938-2020), for Cartier. He was the first non Danish jewelry designer for Georg Jensen.

Marked on the back MINAS in a Greek style font, Sterling and Cartier. Also marked Cartier at the end of one arm.

Measures 11" around with an opening of 3". Meant to sit on the collar bone. Measures 1/2" wide in the center. Can probably be adjusted slightly. Better for a slender neck. Weighs 53 gr.

In very nice...

Circa mid-century, here is a Margot de Taxco zodiac pendant bracelet with Taurus the Bull. It's her design #s 5310 and 5233, and it's collector quality. It's a heavy, chunky, absolutely beautiful bracelet and one which shows up beautifully on the wrist. Closed wearable length is 6 5/8". Taurus charm/pendant measures 1 13/16 to the top of the bale, 1 9/16" wide. Weight is 97 grams. Signed and hallmarked "Margot de Taxco 5310 Sterling Made in Mexico", with the eagle assay 16 on t...

Choice of a sterling silver floral neck ring or a modernist sterling and 14K gold brooch by Ed Levin.

The neck ring measures about 14" around with an opening of 2". Measures 3/8" across. Embossed with a repeating stylized flower design. Signed with a partial script © Ed Levin, Sterling. In fine condition. Could probably be somewhat adjusted due to the open nature of the design.

The brooch measures about 2 1/2" across and 1" at the widest. Has an interesting textured finish. Nice ...

This brooch or pin is in the shape of a bow, made from blue and turquoise plique a jour (translucent) enamel with twisted wire work running through it. (The colors in the photographs may be deceptive, depending on your computer monitor). The enamel over the wire spirals is turquoise, and the rest is a medium blue. “Plique a jour” translates roughly as “light of day.” Measuring 1-1/4” x 7/8", it weighs 3.1g. On the back it is marked with “800” for silver content, and an illegible (m...

This striking lavalier is centered by a light purple amethyst (traditionally good for maintaining clarity of mind), framed by rose gold panels which are a mix of Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts in style. It has a pearl dangle with good luster, which is interestingly off-round. Measuring 1-5/8” including the pearl but not the jump ring, by 7/8”. The amethyst measures 3/8” x ¼”. It is marked “9ct” but tests as 10k (this is not unusual). It weighs 2.1g and is in excellent antique condi...

A fabulous example of Taxco modernism by Los Ballesteros, this vintage Mexican silver and amethyst bracelet is as beautiful to look at as it is comfortable to wear. A couple of days ago I presented another creation by the same workshop and I will suggest that the two pieces are representative of their line of medium-width modernist link bracelets. In the last few years, I have come to realize that the Los Ballesteros maestros succeeded in pushing their ranking higher and higher up in my hierarch...

This lovely necklace features 13 madeira citrines, 3 clusters of 3 each, and 4 set singly. (Citrine is the birthstone for November, said to bring optimism and joy into life – just what we all need!) The central cluster has a pearl dangle. The rich rose gold is marked 9ct on the clasp, but it tests as a weak 10kt (not unusual). Wearable length is 18-3/4”. It is in excellent condition. The clasp is a little fussy, but could easily be replaced or repaired; we don’t want to do it ourselves, si...

Vintage 1980s Talleres de Los Ballesteros Mexican modernist bracelet wrought in Antonio Pineda’s favorite .970 alloy which is richer in silver content than the standard sterling, this is a heavy, architectural piece adorned with clear, faceted, gem-quality amethysts. The stones are open on the back to maximize the effect created by the light as it passes through them and the all-silver links are substantial and very sculptural. I don’t offer post-1980 Mexican jewelry very often unless the qu...

This sterling silver and copper bolo was designed by Antonio Pineda c. 1950's. The bear claw measures 3" X 2 3/4". Each of the arrowhead tips are 3/4" L. The piece weighs 78 grams. The overall length of the adjustable bolo cord measures 33" from arrow tip to arrow tip. Fully hallmarked. All in fine condition.

This Antonio Pineda ring features an oval turquoise cabochon alongside a pearl in this very flattering modernist design. It's a book piece design shown with a jade stone on p. 136 of Silver Seduction : The Art of Mexican Modernist Antonio Pineda. Size is a generous 6.5. Face measures 3/4" x 13/16". Weight is 9.6 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco crown, JVL Taxco 970, and the eagle assay 208. In excellent vintage condition.

This charming ring was made from 10kt (marked and tested) yellow gold, with a marquise or navette-shaped ruby flanked by two tiny accent diamonds. (Ruby is the birthstone for July, and is a symbol of devotion, love, and immortality – so lovely!) It also has a maker’s mark, which is either “QI” or “OJ”. The 2 diamonds are set in white metal – it’s not possible to tell whether it is silver or platinum. It’s size six and could be re-sized. The photos are part of the description; p...

This striking stick pin was made in the shape of an arrow head. It features a sparkly cognac-colored diamond of approximately 10 points (a tenth of a carat), but it looks bigger. Above and below the diamond are 2 lovely (cultured?) champagne-colored pearls. It weighs 2.3g and is of unmarked but tested 14k yellow gold, which has been hammered to enhance the “arrow head” look – a great reminder that the Arts and Crafts era overlapped the era of the Wild West! It measures 1/2” x 7/16” x 2...

This is a magnificent Antonio Pineda bracelet which I've never seen before and believe to be very rare. Likely dating to the 1950's, this bracelet showcases three natural untreated blue star sapphire stones. The center stone is approx 5 ct. Each stone sits in a star setting. Very unique, and certainly a statement piece. You can see the star It's a huge bracelet, with a weight of 155.2 grams. Closed, wearable length is 6 1/4". With is 1 1/2". Depth is 9/16". Signed and hallmar...

Silver lipstick cases / holders from Italy are not a rare occurrence yet how often do you come upon a signed Peruzzi example? As difficult to find as it is beautiful, this one has it all - the signature, the warm patina, the delicate floral etched decoration and tiny little sparkling red rhinestones at the center of each dainty flower. Even the tab that holds the pop-up mirror is shaped like a multi-petaled bloom. A collector's dream-come-true the case measures 2/3" wide and deep by 2 3/8" tall....

The story of this Mexican Deco silver and turquoise hinged bangle is an interesting one. When it came to me, it had a rather hastily applied gold plating that looked both out of place and, should I say?, garish. I cannot understand why anybody would do such a thing yet many a time, in discussions with older bench jewelers, I have been told that a few decades ago this was indeed a trend of sorts. Very rarely do I decide to intervene in a similarly dramatic way on old jewelry but this was a very ...

A reversible gold pendant featuring a green and amber colored jade koi fish. The pendant is marked 14k Gump's. The gold shows some discoloration and would benefit from a buffing. There is also light wear with a very tiny nick on the gold edge of the jade side ( see first picture upper right). It measures 1" x 3/4"" and weighs 6.23gr.