Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver (346)

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 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

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

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.

These handmade, two-sided cufflinks each feature a square piece with an incised geometrical design connected by a figure-8 to a dome-shaped piece. The links are very securely soldered to each side; there is a tiny ‘ding’ to one dome. The squares measure about 5/8 inch and are marked Sterling and Taxco. Weight: 8.1 grams total

This sterling silver pin is formed as a Mexican peasant lugging a large basket of fruit on his back. It is deeply molded and enhanced with oxidation and of hollow construction. The sturdy clasp features a machine-age look, and the pin stem has a lever that causes it to spring open when released. The pin dates from 1950 through the 1930s and is marked Silver/Mexico on the reverse. It measures 2 inches long by 1 1/4 inches at its widest part. Weight: 12.6 grams

This smart bar pin features loops on either side of an oval cabochon chrysoprase. It has a nice heft, and the stone is securely bezel-mounted. The back shows a sterling mark, as well as an unidentified maker’s mark of T&B or K&B. The rollover clasp is in good working order, and the stone is very slightly scratched. A well-constructed lapel or shoulder pin of clean, simple design, it measures 2 1/4 inches long by just under 1 inch wide at the center.

Here are two charming sterling silver scatter pins formed as ladies’ heads complete with bonnets and flowing hair. They are typical of the highly detailed cast work of Unger Bros., of Newark, NJ, during the Art Nouveau period. Both have secure C-clasps; one looks to have been replaced, perhaps during the 1920s. The fine features are intact and the maker’s mark well struck. Each pin measures 3/4 inch long by 5/8 inch wide. 4.4 grams total

This sturdy, nicely made sterling silver bracelet is composed of incised openwork sections securely linked by small rods. The tongue and groove clasp, with push-button release, is in good working order; the safety chain appears to be original. The marks are well struck, and possibly indicate the work of the Taxco maker Beto. The bracelet measures about 7 1/2 inches long (excluding clasp) by 3/4 inch wide. Weight: 50.9 grams

Constructed of a single strand of solid, chromium-plated white metal, this bangle bracelet is a marvel of modern design and could date as early as the 1930s. The flexible metal allows each end to be folded over the other three rings, secured by balls at each end, and enables the bracelet to expand or contract as the wearer desires. There is some surface wear that is hard to see when the bracelet is worn. It is designed for a very comfortable fit. The bangle is not marked, but most likely is a studio piece. Interior circumference is about 8 inches; bracelet diameter is about 3 inches.

Made from colorful Scottish chalcedonies and set with a warm, orange-brown Scottish citrine, this late 19th-century brooch typifies a design that was extremely fashionable during the Victorian era. All the stones are in lovely condition and securely set; the faceted cairngorm, or citrine, is held in place by sterling silver engraved straps. The red chalcedonies are sharply cut into pyramids, alternating with inset green triangular pieces of agate that look to be bloodstone. The stones show no serious wear such as scratching, chips or cracks. Two of the triangular agates show minor loss along one edge. The C-clasp bears the original solder and is very secure. The brooch is unmarked and measures 1 7/8 inches in diameter.

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.

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.

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.

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