Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver (346)

These quirky figural sterling silver pins and earrings are formed as separate head. While the faces are similar in their prominent features, one head wears a tall, pointed headdress, while the other wears a turban-like headpiece. The pins show marks on the surface from being hammered into the mold; they are finished with applied backs. Each earring is formed to match the face of one of the pins. The pieces are all marked Made in Mexico/Sterling — even the earring screw backs — and are conservatively dated around 1950. The pins have very secure C-clasps. Measurements (all length by widest part): tall head, 3 3/4 inches by 1 inch, 15.9 grams; turban head, 1 7/8 inches by 1 3/8 inches, 13.3 grams; tall earring, 1 3/4 inches by 3/4 inch; turban earring, 1 inch by 1 1/8 inches; both earrings, 10.1 grams total.

This bracelet was made by an unknown jeweler who produced a variety of pins and bracelets, often decorated with his signature applied calla lilies and gold-filled leaves. Each calla lily is hand-applied to a horizontal frame, alternating with vertical rectangular panels with a lightly hammered look. The connecting links are securely soldered; the safety chain is original and attaches with a spring ring. The bracelet’s clasp consists of a flat folded piece of silver that firmly hooks onto a squared ring soldered to the other end. The hook is marked sterling; the other end is marked sterling & 1/20 12K.G.F. The bracelet measures 7 1/2 inches long by 3/4 inch wide. (For another example of this maker’s work, see Item #830376.) Weight: 31.3 grams

This sterling silver pin is composed of a stem with four leaves, two of them with incised veins, and a stylized bulrush applied to the back. The clever bulrush design is made of curled silver wire wound around a curving silver rod. The back bears the mark of Anton Michelsen, Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as the name ‘Rougie,’ which may refer to the design or the designer, Gertrud Engel. Engel designed a series of naturalistic pieces for Michelsen during the 1950s based on plant life along the Danish coast. The pin has its original rollover clasp and stem, which are in good working order. It measures about 2 1/4 inches long by a little over 2 1/2 inches wide from one leaf tip to the other. Weight: 15 grams

Here is a mid-20th century handmade ring of two types of wood mounted in a sterling silver frame. The wood is carved into small squares. The rectangular top is soldered to a sterling band and rises about 1/2 inch from the finger. The ring is unmarked, but tests for sterling. The top of the ring measures 3/4 inch long by 5/8 inch wide. The ring is sized to a 7.

This classic Art Deco ring is composed of two half-moons of carnelian flanking a vertical row of marcasites. The carnelian is secured by four split prongs, and there is an embossed scroll design along both sides of the shank that shows a bit of wear. The bottom part of the band exhibits a small applied piece of silver, most likely from sizing. The inside of the band is marked sterling. The oval top of the ring measures about 3/4 inch by 5/8 inch. It is sized at a 4 1/4.

This silver pin has an intriguing, dynamic design of overlapping hollow half-moons. The asymmetrical feature of the design is sophisticated, and the piece is well constructed with a substantial feel. It has a secure rollover clasp and is marked Industria Argentina on the back. There is also a code that looks to be U51 and a partial silver mark in a diamond reserve, most likely .900. The pin measures 2 1/8 inches long by 1 1/4 inches at its widest part. Gross weight: 16.7 grams

This late 19th-century English sterling brooch features a circular design enhanced with twisted silver wires and silver beads, surrounding a globular center. The surface has a beautiful, warm patina and is in lovely condition. It has a secure C-clasp and hinge; the hinge shows a bit of metal stress, but is in good working order. The locket glass and silver frame are still intact. The brooch appears to be unmarked; it is possible it could be marked under the locket back. There is a tiny scratch on the edge of the front. It measures a little over 1 1/2 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch deep. Gross weight: 13.9 grams

VikingCraft was a line of jewelry produced by Albert Horwig, New York, to satisfy the demand for scandinavian-style jewelry during the 1940s and 1950s. This pin is well made, evoking movement with elongated, stylized leaves. It is marked on the back VikingCraft and sterling, and has a secure rollover clasp. It measures 3 1/4 inches long by 1 1/4 inches at its widest point. Weight: 24.8 grams

This handmade clip exhibits a strong arts and crafts influence with a nod toward modernism. It features a hand-wrought leaf with incised veins and circular tool marks around the edges. A band of silver is applied at the top in a rough pinwheel design. A clip mechanism is attached to the back; it shows a patent number that dates to 1932. Also on the back is the impressed name of Margaret Moore, as well as the sterling mark. The pin measures 1 1/2 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide. Gross weight: 9.8 grams

This highly decorated bracelet features a strong repoussée design of flowers and scrolls, on backgrounds of white and black enamel. Inside is the mark for Norway silver, and the maker’s mark of Andresen & Scheinpflug of Oslo. The bracelet is secured by a rod that slides into a cylinder, attached to a chain. The enamel is intact save for a tiny area of impact near the edge (see Photo 1, lower edge of bracelet, and Photo 5 for detail). The hinge and clasp are in good working order. The bracelet measures 1 1/8 inches wide; when closed, the open area measures about 2 1/2 inches across, with an interior circumference of about 7 inches. Similar bracelet pictured in "Antique Enameled Jewelry," p. 48, by Dale Reeves Nicholls.

This simple handmade sterling silver pin features a golf club applied to a rectangular panel; a 1941 penny is set from the back within a horseshoe-shaped frame. Two beads at the ends of the setting prevent the penny from falling out. The back bears the sterling mark and the unidentified maker’s initials of KLE. It measures 1 5/8 inches long by 1 inch wide.

This sterling silver tie bar features a finely cast Viking ship, a signature Georg Jensen motif. It appears hardly used, and the Jensen marks are well struck, including the post-1945 maker's mark as well as marks for sterling, Denmark, and the design number of 50. It measures 2 1/8 inches long by 3/4 inch wide at the disk. Weight: 10.8 grams

This bracelet is unmarked, but tests as silver, probably .800. It is a very high quality early marcasite and silver piece, set with amethysts and dated conservatively from the 1930s. All marcasites are intact and the faceted amethysts show no wear or damage. The bracelet has a secure tongue and groove clasp; the silver safety chain is also very secure, with an unusual S-hook closure. The bracelet measures 8 1/4 inches long by a little over 1/2 inch wide. Gross weight: 26.9 grams

Formed as palm fronds, with one folded toward the back, this simple pin was designed by Gertrud Engel for Anton Michelsen. It bears the ‘Rougie’ mark on the back, which likely refers to the design or the collection line. Engel specialized in naturalistic designs based on Danish coastal flora. This pin has a secure rollover clasp and measures 2 1/8 inches long by 1 inch wide. An identical pin is pictured in Ginger Moro's book "European Designer Jewelry." Weight: 5.3 grams

The clasp on this sterling silver bracelet is fashioned as a buckle, with a hinged bar that closes over the end of the ‘belt’ to secure it. The bracelet is constructed as three hinged pieces, with bands of chain work applied to the outside. It is marked 925 Mexico on the inside of the securing bar. The bracelet measures 1 inch wide at the buckle; the band measures 1/2 inch wide. The bracelet, when closed, measures 2 1/2 inches across the opening and has an internal circumference of 7 inches. It is not adjustable. Weight: 56.9 grams

This sterling silver link bracelet is set with six-sided pieces of green glass. The glass is bezel-mounted and secured with strap work; four leaf-shaped pillows surround the glass on each pane. Save for a small dent in one pillow (see Photo #5, center panel), the bracelet looks hardly worn. It is marked on the tongue with ‘Mexico’ in script and sterling under it. The clasp is very secure. The bracelet measures about 7 inches long (the panels are curved) and a little over 1/2 inch wide. Gross weight: 26.5 grams

Delicately engraved with flowers and stylized ruffles at the rims, this sterling silver bangle bears the hallmarks for Birmingham, 1884, and a maker’s mark of WH (or HM). It has a safety chain to which a larger link has been added. The tongue-and-groove clasp is very secure, and snaps together tightly. The hinge is in excellent working condition. There are minor surface scratches. The bangle is an oval, measuring 2 3/8 inches by 1 7/8 inches inside; interior circumference is about 7 inches. The bracelet is 3/4 inch wide. Gross weight: 21.9 grams

This sterling silver and enamel bracelet has a Scandinavian feel but no definitive marks. It has five curved panels decorated with abstract sterling designs that are probably raised and surrounded by dotted white enamel. The enamel is in beautiful condition, and the tongue-and-groove clasp is in very good working order. The clasp is marked S.G.M. and sterling. The bracelet measures a little over 6 inches long by 1/2 inch wide.