Catalog: Estate Jewelry (461)

This sterling silver money clip features an applied swordfish or marlin, and has a classic mid-century look. It is quite sturdy and secure, and has a nice heft. The back bears a maker’s mark of RRR, as well as a sterling mark. It measures 2 inches long by about ½ inch wide. Weight: 11.8 grams

Reminiscent of Scandinavian style, this bracelet features lovely openwork panels molded with graceful calla lilies. The panels are securely linked with ribbed sterling bands; the back of one panel bears an applied plaque with a patent number of 121373, which was granted in 1940 to Victor Primavera, who founded Danecraft. It has a secure hook clasp. The bracelet measures about 7 ¼ inches long by about 1 inch wide. Weight: 22.9 grams

This impressive copper cuff features a Precolumbian-style face surrounded by two levels of hand-applied copper wirework. The round plaques supporting the central design, as well as the cuff band, have crimped edges. The band exhibits a textured surface and has retained its original shape. The entire bracelet appears to have been hardly worn, though does show some minor oxidation or light coloration from the construction process. Overall, the cuff has the deep brownish color of aged copper. The inside of the bracelet bears a crown mark and the word ‘Mexico.’ The cuff measures 2 1/8 inches at the central plaque; the band measures 1 ¼ inches wide. The interior circumference is about 7 ½ inches; the gap at the terminals measures 1 inch wide.

This hand-wrought sterling silver necklace is composed of square curved and graduated panels incised with a seaweed-like design, called "Pine Needle." Each panel is linked by securely soldered rings and bars; the end ring links to a hook closure. The back of one panel bears a plaque with the mark of Joseph Skinger, a mid-century arts and crafts metalsmith and sculptor from Vermont (1911-1967). The choker necklace measures 13 ¼ inches long, unclasped; the graduated panels measure ¾ inch at the widest. Weight: 36.6 grams

This whimsical silver pin, possibly formed as a French horn, features a bell made of amber. The amber is in very nice condition, without scratches or wear. There are silver marks on the pin stem that look to be Russian, but they aren’t clear enough for a definite identification. The rollover clasp is very secure, and tests for silver, as does the pin stem. The pin measures about 2 inches long, from the mouthpiece to the bell, and 1 1/8 inches wide. Gross weight: 11 grams

This simple, well-designed sterling silver necklace has a sleek modernist design of long, rectangular bars with a wood-textured surface. The result is a classic, wearable necklace with versatility and style. The bars are securely connected by soldered rings, with the original spring-ring clasp. The maker’s mark is a geometrical symbol and not identified at this time; there is also a mark for sterling. The necklace measures 16 ¼ inches long, unclasped, and ¼ inch wide. Weight: 36.2 grams

This substantial sterling silver bracelet is designed as a classic double-hinged bangle, with eight sides. The modernistic fold-over clasp serves as one hinge, and has the same design as the opposite link. The bracelet bears the mark of Barcelona, Spain, jeweler Puig Doria, which is still producing jewelry of various materials in addition to silver. The bracelet dates to the 1970s and measures ½ inch wide, with an interior circumference of about 7 inches. Weight: 66.3 grams

Formed as a variation on a sunflower or daisy, this graceful silver brooch features seven small coral beads in the center. It is completely handmade and is unmarked, save for some stray hatch marks and the number 5 scratched into the back. Its thoughtful design evokes a naturalistic delicacy and movement. The entire piece tests for silver except for the pin stem; the trombone clasp and tube hinge indicate a possible earlier date, but it is likely European. The pin measures 2 ¾ inches long by 1 ¼ inches at the petals. Gross weight: 12.4 grams

This stunning pin exhibits sophisticated design and quality workmanship. The pronged mounting, composed of curled, incised decorative elements and alternating with prongs and orbs, tests as silver, probably .800 silver content. The decorative elements are applied upon a flat cast frame. The oval blue polished chalcedony, in an open-back setting, has a delicate translucence in the light, and takes on a deep blue-purple cast on an opaque background. The pin is marked ‘Made in Italy’ on the pin stem, which also tests for silver; it bears a star mark on the C-clasp, indicating that the pin was made prior to 1934, during a transitional period for the hallmarking (see World Hallmarks, p. 150). The entire pin measures about 1 ½ inches long by 1 inch wide by about ¼ inch deep.

This ornate Peruzzi sterling silver necklace dates from the 1950s and features a central eagle drop flanked by grotesque masks. They are suspended from a bead chain. The mark of Peruzzi Boston is on the back of the eagle; the necklace is also marked sterling. The necklace measures 16 1/2 inches long; the eagle drops 1 1/4 inches. Weight: 20.4 grams

This dramatic handmade sterling silver ring is entirely hollow-cast, for comfortable wear. It is entirely one piece, and displays a patina that indicates it is probably 20 to 30 years old. It is marked 925 underneath, with an unidentified maker’s mark that looks like an M. The slightly concave top measures 1 5/8 inches long by 1 ¼ inches wide by 3/16 inch or so deep. The ring size is just under a 6. Weight: 14.7 grams

This lovely American sterling silver and enamel cross exhibits an elaborately scrolled edge and vibrant green enamel. The cross and chain date from at least c. 1915 but could be older. The chain is original and made of flattened, rectangular links; there is no clasp. It tests definitively for silver. The enamel decoration on the cross is intact, and bears the usual minor flaws of handwork. The cross is quite sturdy, and nicely molded, though there are two casting flaws at the lower right (see photo #6). The ring at the top, as well as the bail connecting the cross to the chain, show some wear. The cross measures just over 2 ¼ inches long, including the top ring, by 1 3/8 inches across. The entire necklace, with the chain doubled, measures 15 1/5 inches long. The back of the cross is marked sterling. Weight: 22.3 grams; the cross alone, about 12.6 grams.

This handsome, handmade Italian sterling silver bracelet by Peruzzi is composed of linked openwork oval and round frames holding applied flowers and leaves. The flowers look to have been hand constructed, petal-by-petal. The hook clasp and safety chain are very secure; the inside of the bracelet bears the Peruzzi and sterling marks. The surface is highly tarnished, despite an attempt at cleaning; it can be brightened up a bit more. The bracelet measures a little over 7 ¼ inches long and about 5/8 inch wide. Weight: 15.2 grams

This unusual silver lariat necklace draws on its Nordic roots with a twisted, notched spike at each end in the Viking manner. It is quite a versatile design and a sophisticated look; the strands can be knotted or draped, worn long or doubled. The chain itself is composed of doubled links, each with two perpendicular rings. The chain has a yet-unidentified maker’s mark, with a Norwegian silver mark of 830S. From end to end, the necklace measures about 46 ¼ inches long, including the terminals. Weight: 18.8 grams

Formed as a delicate spray of three flowers, this Coro sterling silver pin has an unusual design, unlike much of the company’s Sterling Craft line. The Sterling Craft pieces were hand-constructed, with an arts and crafts look; many had a Scandinavian influence, but this piece is quite naturalistic and more complex in construction. It measures about 3 ½ inches long by 2 inches wide by 1 inch deep. It has a secure rollover clasp. Weight: 18.6 grams

This sterling silver necklace of faces and fleur-de-lys has a European feel and is designed in the Renaissance Revival style most associated with Peruzzi. It does not bear a maker’s mark, but the spring-ring clasp is marked as sterling, and the various elements test definitively for silver. There is a roughness to the casting, but the lobed beads in between are nicely detailed. It has a twisted multi-link chain. The necklace measures a little over 16 inches long. Weight: 16.3 grams

The design of this sterling silver link bracelet has a substantial look and feel. It is composed of sturdy cast openwork oval panels with stylized scrolls and swirls reminiscent of mid-20th century Nordic styles. It has a secure hidden hook closure that bears the marks for Danecraft and sterling. The bracelet measures 7 ¼ inches long by a little over ¾ inch wide. Weight: 38.6 grams

Mounted in a round, beaded silver gilt setting, the amber cabochons in these cuff links exhibit with a vivid honey color and some cloudiness. The cuff links bear the Soviet marks for .875 silver, as well as the town mark for Riga and an unidentified maker’s mark accompanied by the mark for 1957. They are securely hinged at one end of the bridge bar. The button portions measure 5/8 inch in diameter.