Catalog: Estate Jewelry (461)

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

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 unusual bracelet is cleverly hand-built from cast circular elements, each riveted to the next. The rivets allow the circular pieces to move as on a hinge, and each is connected at an angle to accommodate a comfortable fit on the wrist. The box clasp is sturdy and secure, with a figure-eight safety catch. Although the circular elements are hollow, the bracelet has a good heft and has a Constructivist aesthetic. It is probably from the 1970s. The clasp is marked 925 for sterling silver. The bracelet measures about 7 inches long by 3/8 inch wide. Weight: 46.5 grams

A thin bangle with textured surface is set with four faceted natural rubies. They are bezel mounted with open backs, securely soldered to the bangle. The rubies are highly included and probably untreated; one has slight surface abrasions. The bangle has a 2 ½-inch internal diameter, and an inner circumference of about 8 inches. Each setting measures about ½ inch by 3/8 inch. The bangle is 1/16 inch wide. It is marked 925 for sterling silver.

These Georg Jensen two-sided silver cuff links feature a prominent side with a floral motif and the other formed as a bar with oxidized impressions. Each exhibits strong, well soldered connecting rings as well as the Jensen mark of 1933-1944, the design no. 9 and a dotted oval with 830 inside, indicating silver content. The larger sides measure 5/8 inch across. Weight: 7.6 grams total

This lovely bracelet is decorated with white guilloché enameled rectangular panels alternating with similar square ones featuring dark blue flowers. The silver is highly gilded; the tongue-and-groove clasp is original and in good working order. The bracelet bears the mark of Norwegian maker David-Andersen. It measures 7 ½ inches long by ½ inch wide. Weight: 24.5 grams

Composed of filigreed sterling silver panels, this bracelet is reminiscent of Chinese wirework, but it is American-made. The back of one panel is marked Jordan, for the R.M. Jordan Co. of Providence, RI, which produced a line of Russian- and Chinese-inspired jewelry during World War II, called its “United Nations” line. (A short write-up on p. 53 in the Sept. 18, 1943, issue of Billboard magazine announces the release of this production line.) The bracelet is marked 925 on the original spring-ring clasp, and the panels test definitively for sterling silver. The bracelet measures just under 8 inches long by 7/8 inch wide. Gross weight: 36.6 grams

The Nordic-style pendant is suspended from a cable chain with two large rings and no clasp. The back of the pendant bears the maker’s mark of Kalevala Koru, of Helsinki, Finland. It also shows the mark for the year 1971. The pendant measures 4 inches long, including the bail, and 2 inches wide; including the doubled chain, the entire necklace measures a little over 17 inches long. Weight: 26.8 grams

This unusual sterling silver necklace is constructed of sections 1/8-inch wire in a wavy pattern similar to figure eights laid end to end. Each section is linked by flattened, securely soldered bands; it is a nice, substantial piece. The necklace is marked sterling on the band attached to the jump ring, as well as on the spring ring. It measures 17 inches long by 3/8 inch wide. Weight: 53.7 grams

A distinctive, eclectic design of various size rings and impressed floral elements, probably ca. 1920. The chain tests strongly as sterling silver and is highly patinated, resembling gunmetal. It is unmarked and does not have a clasp. Doubled, the chain measures 16 ½ inches long. Weight: 58.9 grams

Of modernist design, both cast and hand-forged and composed of two flat sides terminating in hollowed ends, one with a protruding side. The tongue-and-groove clasp is in good working order. The bracelet exhibits some signs of wear, such as scratches and tiny dings to the edges. The very tip of the protrusion has a tiny dent. There are two different marks on the outer side (one is struck twice) that look to be foreign but are unidentified. One is likely a silver mark, and the bangle did test definitively for silver. It has an inner circumference of about 6 ¾ inches and measures ¾ inch at its widest part. Weight: 30.5 grams

Evoking a sophisticated and cosmopolitan look, this Italian silver bracelet features five textured curved rings linked by bars inlaid with strips of turquoise enamel. The secure fold-over clasp bears marks for .800 silver and the city/date mark of Arezzo, 1944-1968. The maker’s numeric mark is not fully legible. The bracelet measures 8 inches long by 1 ½ inches wide. Weight: 64.9 grams

This Victorian sterling silver hinged bangle bracelet has hallmarks for Birmingham, 1884, and the unidentified maker’s mark of RJD. It is richly decorated with an applied embossed band of tiny starbursts within ovals, rimmed with delicate openwork. There is some roughness at the clasp, but it is secure and the pieces of the bracelet fit together nicely with a strong click. There is a shallow area of impact on the back near the clasp that is very hard to notice, as well as some scratches that contribute to the softened patina. Interior circumference is about 6 3/4 inches, and diameter is 2 1/4 inches; the bangle width is 3/4 inch. Gross weight: 24.6 grams

Composed of five connected sterling panels, each decorated with two applied sterling calla lilies and gilded leaves. The flap clasp is very secure, as are all connecting rings; the sterling safety chain has a spring-ring clasp. The flap has an indecipherable mark, possibly for a maker, between the mark for sterling and the mark for gold content: 1/20 10kt G.F. (for gold-filled). The bracelet measures 7 ¼ inches long, including the clasp, and just under 1 ¼ inches wide. Weight: 57.9 grams

A bold sterling silver bracelet set with six large cabochons of dyed green chalcedony. The stones are set on round bezel mounts and secured by scored long prongs. The stones exhibit surface wear but no cracks or chips; they are unpolished, or possibly have lost the luster. It is well made, down to the soldered rings that link each mounting. The clasp is secure and there is a sturdy safety chain. The maker’s mark, which appears to be an interlocking MA or MR, is unidentified. The bracelet dates from the 1950s and is also marked Mexico Sterling. It measures 6 ¾ inches long by ¾ inch wide by ¾ inch high.

Decorated with inlaid discs and squares of bone, horn and wood, in the manner of tribal or ethnographic art, this compelling long chain necklace has an exotic, sophisticated feel. The discs are decorated on both sides; the squares, only on one side. Each ring of the cable chain is completely secured with solder; the chain has no clasp but can be doubled. The dating is mostly likely 1950-1960, although it could be older. Doubled, the chain measures 28 ½ inches long. It is conservatively dated.

A reticulated sterling silver pendant of geometric elements and elongated bale, suspended from an .830 silver chain. Both bear the marks of H.C. Østrem of Drammen; it's very unusual to find a pendant by this maker with its original chain. The script maker's mark also is not often seen. The entire necklace measures15 inches long with the chain doubled, including the 3-inch-long pendant. Weight: 23.6 grams, total

A forged wire pendant composed of drops of various lengths is attached to a chain of shorter, peaked forged bars linked by securely soldered rings. The necklace has a nice heft, but it quite comfortable. The back bears the circular impressed Mexican silver mark with central maker’s initials of possibly OBC, and the eagle 1 mark. The necklace measures 19 inches long unclasped; the pendant drops 4 ¼ inches. Weight: 56.1 grams