Catalog: Estate Jewelry (461)

Here is a sterling silver pin of signature design by the Danish maker Niels Erik From. It is composed of stylized rounded leaves and berries on a stem, enhanced by applied patination, and is secured by a rollover safety clasp. The maker’s mark is impressed on the back. The pin measures 2 1/8 inches long by 1 inch wide.

This copper pin is hand-constructed with architectural elements and securely set with a copper disc enameled in turquoise. It features a cone at each corner set on intersecting bands that are curled at each end. The square panel supporting all the pieces has a hammered look with slightly curved corners. There is a deep reddish patina to the copper, and some white areas of oxidation. The back bears the impressed name of Jean Augis, a Lyons, France, jewelry designer and master metalsmith most active during the 1930s. The curled C-clasp on the back is a bit distended, and the pin stem is a bit loose, but it still holds securely. The pin measures slightly over 1 3/8 inches square.

Designed in the pre-Columbian style, this sterling silver bracelet is composed of curved openwork panels connected with small pins. It bears the mark of J.N. Jacopo, for the Jacopo brothers of Mexico City and Taxco; it also bears the eagle mark with the number 3. The bracelet has a nice, hefty feel and is of good quality. There is a minor area of metal stress at one link (see Photo #4). The tongue and groove clasp is in good working order, and the safety chain appears to be original to the bracelet. The bracelet measures 7 inches long and 5/8 inch wide. Weight: 39.8 grams

Here is a sterling silver pin formed as stylized flowers and stems, set with teardrop-shaped pieces of obsidian. The partial marks are from a silversmith unidentified but known for the initials AE inside a heart-shaped M. It is a substantial piece, with the prong-set pieces of obsidian riveted to the oval backs. It has a secure safety clasp. The pin measures about 2 1/2 inches at its widest point, and 3 inches at its longest.

This late 19th-century sterling silver bar pin is formed as four graduated medallions with classical military profiles. It was made by the Frank M. Whiting Co. of North Attleboro, MA, and bears the maker’s mark on the back. The features of the faces are sharply molded and detailed. There is a modified C-clasp on the back. The pin measures 2 1/4 inches long and about 3/4 inch at its widest part.

This pin handmade silver pin, probably .800 silver, is formed as three stylized flowers constructed on three flat shaped panels. The piece has an arts and crafts feel, with a tiny bit of porosity in the silver. It is quite substantial, with a secure safety clasp. It measures about 3 inches by 1 inch.

Here is an English-made whistle of copper-plated brass and base metal, that may have been made for the U.S. market. The front is labeled ‘The Acme/Boy Scouts’ with the English registration number for 1914, and ‘Patent’ underneath. The whistle itself measures a little under 3 inches long; the bale adds another 3/4 inch. Circumference is about 2 inches. Weight: 25.8 grams

This charming pin, made of .800 silver, is formed as a spray of delicate flowers within a wide vertical leaf. The leaf is enhanced with a textured surface. The pin is possibly Russian-made, based on the maker’s mark on the S-clasp; there is an .800 mark on the pin stem as well as what could be an Eastern European import mark. It measures 3 1/8 inches long by 5/8 inch at its widest part.

This delicate white metal chain is studded with bezel-mounted glass faux amethysts. The faceted glass pieces are securely set; there is no clasp. The necklace hangs 15 1/2 inches (in other words, a total 31 inches end to end).

Completely handmade, this sterling silver pin is formed similar to a stylized sprig of lily-of-the-valley. It also bears an engraved inscription on the back that reads: “Anna F. Davies/The College Settlement of Philadelphia/1898-1941.” Davies was a founder of the settlement movement, and ran this settlement house during those years. The pin is also marked sterling and has a secure safety catch. It measures 3 1/8 inches long by about 1 inch wide. Weight: 19.5 grams

This substantial, silver link bracelet is reminiscent of ornate Renaissance jewelry. It is sharply molded with flowers, leaves, vines and beading in openwork panels linked with bars. The largest center panel features a securely prong-set amethyst. The bracelet has a fold-over clasp in good working order. It is a nice quality piece, probably European .800 silver. The bracelet measures a little over 7 inches long; the largest panel in the center measures 7/8 inch wide. Gross weight: 24.5 grams

This bracelet was made as a souvenir for visitors to the Maria Laach Abbey, a Benedictine abbey in northwestern Germany. It has large, curved links of copper and white metal, from which drops a glazed ceramic disc mounted in white metal. The disc is decorated with a geometrical design in red on a yellow and green background, with a black diamond shape in the center. It is marked on the back of the mount with the abbey’s logo. The large spring ring clasp is very secure. There appears to be a flattened area visible on the back of the mount, probably from hand-setting the disc. The bracelet measures 8 1/2 inches long; the disc measures a little over 1 3/8 inches in diameter. The width of the chain is about 1 inch.

This realistically modeled sterling pin was made by JewelArt. It features deep ridges enhanced by oxidation, and a stylized curled stem that ends in a bead of silver. It is of good quality with a secure safety clasp and the maker’s mark on the back. It measures 2 1/4 inches long by a little over 1 1/4 inches wide.

Here is a nicely crafted mixed metal pin designed with stylized silver oak leaves, berries and vines applied to a curved copper plaque. The piece, which has some heft, is secured by a safety clasp and a strong pin stem. The metal surfaces bear a warm patina; the pin is marked on the back with an impressed W and Handwrought. It measures about 2 1/4 inches by 1 3/8 inches. Weight: 19.7 grams

This impressive sterling silver pin features a decoration of detailed engraved flowers and latticework. It was made by the LaPierre Mfg. Co. of Newark, NJ, and New York City, and bears the maker’s mark on the back, as well as the sterling mark. It has a very secure C-clasp and tube hinge typical of the period. The brooch measures 2 7/8 inches by 2 3/8 inches.

This copper bracelet features a double row of linked leaves attached at each end by copper-plated openwork panels, and connected by round copper-plated links. The surface is highly patinated, with only very minimal wear to the plating on the ends. The fold-over clasp is very secure; there is no mark. The bracelet measures 7 1/2 inches long by about 1 3/4 inches wide.

This Victorian revival sterling silver cuff is elaborately decorated with repousse flowers and leaves, with a scrolled reserve at each end. It was made by Kirk & Son of Baltimore, MD, as part of a line of 19th-century-inspired jewelry, some made of pewter. This is one of the larger and more elaborate designs. The sterling and maker’s marks are inside the bracelet. Circumference is about 8 inches, including the 1/2-inch opening; the bracelet is slightly over 1 1/4 inches wide. Weight: 41.8 grams (1.34 t oz.)

Here is a nice Norwegian pendant from David-Andersen in a stylized spade shape, decorated with a pattern of impressed and textured half-circles. According to an internet source, it was designed by Toril Bjorg for David-Andersen in 1977. It is well marked on the back, and measures 2 inches long by 1 1/4 inches at its widest part. Weight: 15.4 grams