Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver (346)

Composed of two rectangular layers of sterling silver, top one curved and with a cutout comma-shaped design exposing a highly oxidized interior. The ring is marked sterling and has Joseph Skinger’s script signature mark. Skinger was a Vermont studio metalsmith who was most productive during the 1950s and 1960s; he died in 1967. I am told by Carol Skinger, Joe's daughter, that the design is known as 'Mountain Shadow' and was produced as choker necklaces, bracelets and pins. The top of the ring measures ¾ inch by 5/8 inch. It is a size 6 full. Weight: 5.3 grams

Each of these five late 19th-century heart charms is decorated with embossed scrolls; included is also an engraved faux lock of the same period. The hearts are identical, with one showing minor impacts; the lock looks to be hardly worn. All have their bails intact and are marked sterling on the back. Each heart measures 1/2 inch wide by 3/4 inch long, including the bail; the locket measures just under ½ inch wide by 5/8 inch long. Weight: 4.8 grams total

This c. 1910 buckle brooch is beautifully decorated with turquoise tour a guilloche enamel work, with round white enamel accents around the perimeter. The enamel is in excellent condition, save for two minute spots on two of the round white decorations. It is marked sterling on the back and features a secure C-clasp. The shade of the enamel appears to vary in the photo, but it actually is the same consistent, vivid turquoise throughout the pin. Also, the pin appears to be gilded in the photo, but it is not; the back is highly oxidized. It measures 2 ¾ inches long by 2 3/16 inches wide. Weight: 39.1 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.

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

A substantial sterling silver chain bracelet composed of two- and three-loop interlocking links. It has an unusual hook closure formed from a rolled panel of silver. It is marked 925 at one end and measures 7 ½ inches long by 1 ¼ inches wide. Weight: 60.6 grams

This delicate sterling silver bracelet features lavender cloisonné enamel panels enhanced with rhinestones that alternate with square-mounted rhinestones. The edges of the panels are textured to give the feel of millegraining. The bracelet is well made, with scrolled details in the enamel work, and securely soldered connecting links. It has a good heft, despite its delicate appearance, and an original spring-ring clasp in good working order. It is marked sterling on the back, and dates from the early 20th century. The bracelet measures about 7 inches long. Gross weight: 12.6 grams (A similar bracelet is illustrated in the reference book "Antique Enameled Jewelry" by Dale Reeves Nicholls, Schiffer 2006, p. 63.)

This sterling and parcel gilt link bracelet is composed of cast turbaned heads; the headdresses are gilded. There is a secure hook closure, with no signs of metal stress. The bracelet has a very bold design and bears the partial mark of Natacha Brooks, an American mid-century jewelry designer. The bracelet measures about 8 ½ inches long. Weight: 51.3 grams

Here is a bold, mid-century modernist money clip. It's composed of a flexible but sturdy forged-wire frame, with an applied mounted piece of rosewood in a trapezoidal shape. A silver half-bead is applied to a crossbar near the top. The wood has a polished surface and shows no damage or cracking. The clip is unmarked, but tests as sterling. It measures 2 ½ inches long by ¾ inch wide.

Here is a continuous sterling silver cable chain of nice heft, with a working swivel clasp marked sterling. The chain itself tests for sterling as well, and is sturdily made. The piece dates around 1920. The chain measures 28 inches inches long, and the bail and swivel add another inch. Weight: 29.3 grams

A delicate but sturdily made openwork pin designed with a scrolled top set with faceted red glass. It has a modified C-clasp and is marked for .800 silver. There is also what appears to be the German word “geschützt” (roughly meaning “registered”) and an intertwined mark that looks like an R within a larger G. The pin stem is of brass and is marked “Metall.” There is a tiny nick to the glass stone, visible only with magnification. The pin measures about 2 7/8 inches long. Gross weight: 3.8 grams

This delicate bracelet is decorated with sterling silver openwork floral panels that feature rectangular light blue aquamarines in bezel mounts. Each panel is connected by a ribbed link. The spring-ring clasp is original to the piece and in good working order. The bracelet is from the 1950s; it is unmarked, but tests as sterling. It measures 7 ½ inches in length.

Here is an elegant ring featuring six faceted pieces of smoky quartz mounted in a star-shaped sterling silver setting. A central silver star sits at the top. The band is marked sterling, and the stones show no signs of wear. The ring is sized 5 ¾; it sits 5/8 inch high.

This studio piece is composed of curling wire links with roughly finished ends. It is reminiscent of mid-century modern designs, but is a bit later, probably the 1970s. It is unmarked, but tests definitively as sterling silver. The necklace measures 27 1/2 inches long, including the hook closure. Weight: 22.6 grams

Composed of flattened square links with rounded corners, this Scandinavian bracelet is classic, with a modernist edge. It's well constructed, with connecting rings that are securely soldered closed and a hook clasp. It shows marks for the assay city of Lahti and the year 1971; there is an unidentified maker’s mark of ANR. The bracelet measures 7 ¾ inches long and 5/8 inch wide. Weight: 12.2 grams

This charming sterling silver bracelet is handmade, composed of coiled wire rosettes alternating with rectangular panel links. It is sturdily made despite its delicate look and bears the mark of Just Andersen of Copenhagen (who stopped working in 1973). Its secure hook closure features an additional safety clasp. The back of the clasp exhibits the maker's mark as well as marks for sterling silver, Denmark, and the design number of 141. The bracelet measures 7 ½ inches long and about 3/8 inch wide. Weight: 11.7 grams

This simple but sophisticated ring features a lovely, polished dyed blue chalcedony is securely prong set in a sterling silver mount. The setting displays openwork shoulders with light embossing. The inside of the band is marked sterling and shows an unidentified maker’s mark. The stone exhibits no scratches or other signs of wear. The stone measures stone 7/8 inch long by 5/8 inch wide. The ring is a size 5 ¼.

Reminiscent of the Renaissance Revival style, these intricately decorated earrings are set with central chrysoprase cabochons surrounded by faceted green glass stones. The earrings test as silver, date somewhere around 1930-1950, and are most likely .800 silver. Modern sterling silver posts have replaced screw back closures that were marked ‘SIL.’ Each earring measures ½ inch across and about ¼ inch deep.