Catalog (516)

This interesting handmade pin is composed of thin interwoven silver rods that evoke an unfinished piece of textile. It is sturdy and the secure pin stem and clasp are applied so as to wear the piece on a diagonal. On the back is an applied plaque bearing the mark for Mexico and 925 for sterling, and an unidentified serpentine mark that looks to have been struck twice. The piece is possibly from the 1960s or early 1970s. It measures 2 inches by 2 inches square. Weight: 21.2 grams

This stunning pendant, in the late 1960s-70s Brutalist tradition, is composed of silver and set with an impressive sugar-loaf cabochon. The silver is darkened and features a highly oxidized center within a lattice-like design of roughly molded openwork. The back evokes molten lava with its wavy texture. The stone is likely a highly-included quartz, polished and showing hardly any wear, surprising given its 1/2-inch height. The bail is hand-formed and appears to be designed so that a thick chain is not necessary; it is possible the pendant could have been suspended from a neck ring. The top of the pendant near the bail shows a mark of 835 for silver content. There is what appears to be a ladder-like maker's mark next to it and the initials I.B.H on the other side. (The immediate area has been lightly polished in order to see the marks.) Research is continuing as to the maker and country of origin. The pendant measures 4 1/2 inches long, including the bail, and approximately 2 1/4 inches wide. Gross weight: 53 grams

This bold bracelet, probably American, has a modern sensibility that belies its ca. 1890 origins. It is composed of a polished hollow sterling silver curb chain with a sterling heart-shaped padlock closure. This padlock has no key but can be opened simply by a gentle tug on the lever mechanism and a gentle push to close. The chain has no marks (though tests for sterling); the top of the padlock indicates sterling, which suggests an American origin. The chain is undecorated and has no dented or misshapen links aside from a very minor impression one of the terminal links that attach to the padlock. The padlock has one long scratch on the front, visible in the photo; it is less visible to the eye. The bracelet measures 8 inches long (excluding the clasp) and 5/8 of an inch wide. The padlock measures approximately 3/4 inch across. Weight: 38 grams

This lovely sterling silver pin is a classic example of the Japanisme influence popular during the Aesthetic Movement of the late 19th century. It features embossed images of a dragonfly and two delicate plants as well as tiny marks emulating Asian characters, all on an irregular-shaped disk. Made by George W. Shiebler of New York City, the molding is sharp and detailed; it does appear to have a secure rollover clasp that would have replaced the original C-clasp. Besides the Shiebler mark, the reverse is marked for sterling silver and exhibits the number 1410. The pin measures 1 5/8 inches across. Weight: 17.2 grams

This simple yet sturdy bar pin is unmarked but likely Native American from the 1950s or 1960s. It has a warm patina from age(although a cleaning after the photography has brightened the surface a bit) and its design is well detailed. A secure rollover clasp may have been added later to replace a C-clasp. It tests for sterling silver and measures 2 inches long by just under 3/4 inch at its widest part. Weight: 11.1 grams

These earrings are small but have a strong design that evokes arts and crafts style. They feature applied silver leaves and beading on domes with an oxidized, darkened surface. There is a central copper bead mounted in a silver bezel. The earrings are marked 925 on the backs with sturdy posts; they may have been converted from screw backs at one time. Each earring measures approximately 1/2 inch in diameter and 3/16 inch in height. Weight: 1.9 grams total.

This little fellow is composed of oxidized and hammered sterling silver with applied silver wire around the rim. His eye is a dark cobalt blue half-bead, probably lapis. The pin is secured by a sturdy, handmade modified C-clasp and pin stem. The back is hand-engraved with 925 for silver content and what appears to be a maker’s mark or initials. The pin measures 1 ¾ inches long by ¾ inches high. Gross weight: 4 grams

This late 19th-century hinged bangle is a real beauty. It’s made of 14-karat gold, set with 18 half-pearls that are enhanced with cobalt-blue enamel. The back of the bracelet is simply decorated with a raised, thin gold band that terminates at both ends with a figure-8. Both rims have recesses along the edges all the way around. The tongue and groove clasp is very secure; a gold security chain with a spring-ring catch is a later addition. The maker’s mark of MC&Co. is at this time unidentified. There is a tiny dent on the inside of the bracelet; otherwise, it is in lovely condition with a soft patina from age. It will receive a slight cloth polishing before shipment to its new home. The internal diameter of the bangle is 2 inches, and the internal circumference is roughly 6 ¼ inches. The width measures about 5/8 inches. Gross weight: 39.5 grams

This flower pin is well molded and nicely detailed, making an impressive statement. It is secured by a rollover clasp and appears to have been hardly worn. The back bears a maker's mark of what appears to be Dunez Originals. It is marked sterling and measures 3 ½ in. long by 2 in. wide. Weight: 15 grams

This distinctive ring features an organic design with an asymmetrical domed form. It is textured with wavy narrow ridges similar to seaweed. The inner band bears the mark of Spanish jewelry designer Joachim S’Paliu as well as the mark for sterling silver and dates 1960s-1970s. There is a curious crack on one side of the ring that extends up inside the top (see pictures 4 and 5). It doesn't appear to be damage or affect the stability of the ring. The ring is otherwise of a nice heft and quality construction. It is a size 8. Weight: 11.5 grams

A substantial sterling silver necklace with interlocking block links alternating with molded cuboid elements. The cuboids or rectangular blocks bear impressed, oxidized linear patterns on all sides, giving the piece a sense of depth. It is secured with a lobster clasp that is marked 925 for sterling silver, and the necklace also tests definitively for sterling. Unclasped, the chain measures 30 in. long. Weight: 64 grams

This handmade wide band ring features a random design of molten drops on a textured surface. The irregular band shape has an upturned edge along the top, where the opposite edge comes to a rounded point. It bears the post-1967 Italian mark for silver, hallmarked for the city of Siena; the hallmark is double-struck, so the maker's number could read 722, 712 or something similar. The maker's signature is partially obscured, so that the first initial 'S.' is clear, as is the end of the name, 'gli.' Above the signature is the Italian phrase 'Fatto a mano,' for handmade. The sterling mark of 925 is clear, and the ring tests positive for sterling. It is sized at approximately a 5; re-sizing is not advised. The top of the band, at the measures nearly 7/8 in. at the widest area, graduating to 3/8 in. at the back, where the marks are located. Weight: 10.1 grams

A grotesque mask dangles from this silver key ring, suspended by a short piece of sturdy cable chain. The mask and chain are likely Mexican, evoking a grimacing face with bared teeth and hanging tongue similar to various masks of the ancient Americas. It is constructed of several elements, such as a headpiece, tongue and overhanging lip, soldered onto the the flat face; eyes and nose are incised. The key ring displays some wear commensurate with use as well as indecipherable markings. It is secure and usable. The mask and chain portion are not marked. All of the pieces test for sterling silver. The mask measures 1 3/8 in. long by 1 in. wide; the entire piece measures approximately 3 ½ in. long. Weight: 16.6 g

Simple, elegant modernist earrings of irregular-shaped panels by Frances Holmes Boothby, bezel-set with cabochons of dyed black onyx. They have very secure screw backs and are marked fhb on the reverse of one, sterling on the other, with sterling indicated on both of the screw backs. The stones are in excellent condition, with no scratches, nicks or other issues. The earrings measure approximately 3/4 in. long by 1/2 in. wide. Gross weight: 7.4 grams total

A substantial bangle bracelet decorated with impressed and oxidized geometric designs. The pattern goes all the way around the bangle and appears to be random, giving it a quirky yet sophisticated look. It is marked sterling and dates around 1970 or earlier. The piece has a nice heft and feel on the wrist. It is 1/16 in. thick and 3/8 in. wide with an internal circumference of approximately 8 in. Weight: 36.4 grams

A dramatic, well-made sterling silver necklace of beveled links suspending a three-tiered pendant. The pendant is composed of three overlapping linked pieces of graduated size formed as rounded vertical elements with flattened tops and teardrop-shaped flattened ends. The entire piece is linked with securely soldered rings; the hook closure is hand worked. The necklace is not marked; it tests definitively for sterling silver. The chain part of the necklace measures 23 1/2 inches end to end; the pendant drops 4 5/8 in. and measures 2 in. at its widest area. Weight: 82.9 grams

These modernist earrings feature polished, irregular-shaped composite turquoise drops attached to serpentine pieces of forged sterling silver wire, secured by curled ends. They hang from commercial screw backs that are marked (and test positively for) sterling silver and are in excellent working condition. The earrings measure approximately 2 1/4 in. long. They are otherwise unmarked.

This sterling silver necklace has a classic, timeless look that makes it a wardrobe staple. It is composed of alternating round beads and larger irregular-shaped ones with a pocked surface similar to a hammered look. It has an unidentified maker’s mark, but is probably American-made. The strand measures 22 1/2 inches long, end to end. Weight: 53.2 grams