Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver (346)

This 1950s necklace has a very clean and classic design, and is well constructed with secure, rope-like chain. The central part of the necklace evolves into a thicker but elegantly entwined chain and tapers off toward the ends. It has the original spring-ring clasp. The jump ring bears an 835, indicating silver content. The necklace measures 17 inches long. Weight: 20.4 grams

A double row of petals composed of gilded sterling silver and enameled in deep red adds a bit of drama to this late-1960s flower pin. A cross-hatch grid pattern of guilloche work under the enamel enhances the design. There is a secure rollover clasp on the back, with a maker’s mark of a crown and marks for sterling and Norway. It measures 2 ¼ inches across by 2 ½ inches long, including the stem. Weight: 22.8 grams

This substantial necklace is composed of sterling silver cable chain decorated with applied, loose rings of twisted sterling wire. Each chain link has two rings attached to it, completing a sophisticated and intelligent design that evokes flexibility and movement. The necklace has a secure spring-ring clasp, and bears a flat link with the number 950 or 930 for silver content and what looks like L37. Unclasped, it measures 38 ½ inches long. It dates at least to 1970, and could be older. Weight: 79.9 grams

Composed of mold-pressed gilded sterling silver, these handsome, 19th-century cuff links are formed as pointed oblong buttons, decorated with pale blue enameled scrolls and flowers. They are linked by removable S-formed bridges, and both are marked sterling. Each button measures about 1 inch long and ¼ inch at its widest part. Weight: 6.1 grams

Composed of adjoined silver circles with overlaid oval textured panels, this bracelet embodies all the elements of superb Italian design. It is secured by a hinged latch closure that is quite clever and very secure. The bracelet bears the Italian silver mark for 1944-1968, Arezzo, as well as what appears to be a maker’s mark of LOA. It measures about 7 ¼ inches long by ¾ inch wide. Weight: 33.1 grams

This impressive French silver chain is hand-worked with applied textured silver wire intertwined among bow-like links. It was made at the turn of the 20th century, and is a fine example of the lovely handmade chains that were produced in Paris at the time. The links are delicate; each bow-like element measures just under 1/2 inch long and 3/16 inch wide. The chain has an attached spring ring clasp, which bears a tiny French silver mark on the bail--hard to see in the picture, but it can be seen with a loupe or magnifier as a boar head for .800 silver. The clasp is original; the jump ring has been re-positioned to secure the chain; originally, the clasp would have been used to attach a lorgnette, for instance, and attached mid-chain. With the clasp at the end, the chain can be wound three times around the neck if preferred, as opposed to just doubled. Unclasped, the chain measures a little over 55 inches long, end to end. Weight: 32.4 grams

Formed as square panels with rounded corners, featuring an incised seaweed-like design enhanced by oxidation. The design is called "Pine Needle." The earrings have the original screw backs, which are in good working order. It is marked sterling and has Skinger’s script signature. Skinger was a Vermont studio metalsmith who was most productive during the 1950s and 1960s; he died in 1967. Each earring measures 3/4 inch square. Weight: 6.6 grams

A cast rectangular top decorated with what look like applied and incised stylized scrollwork; the surface is textured and is unevenly oxidized. The sides exhibit clamp-like elements and the band shoulders bear engraved geometric designs. The band is flattened, and on the inside is marked with the German crown and moon, 800, and what looks like a worn maker’s mark. The style looks like transitional art deco/art modern; the ring is dated conservatively. It is sized at a 7. Weight: 5.9 grams

Bold pendant earrings with a deeply oxidized design of stylized animal faces. The panels are impressed with the design, and there is a bit of wear to the oxidation, but the effect is still striking. The panels also have a graceful curve, which also enhances the design. There is no maker’s mark; one screw back shows a mark of 980 Taxco, the other, sterling/Taxco/Mexico. The entire length of the earring, including the rounded top, is a little over 2 inches. Weight: 13.5 grams

Decorated in Peruzzi’s rich iconic style, this elaborate pin features cast flowers and wirework elements applied to a scrolled frame. The back is marked for the Italian jeweler Peruzzi, Florence, and for .800 silver. The secure rollover clasp is original to the pin and in good working order. The pin dates from the mid-1950s and measures 2 ¼ inches long by 1 ¾ inches wide. Weight: 21.5 grams

The rectangular panel of this silver pin has interesting, different textures on back and front. The panel is curved and scalloped along the top and bottom edges with tiny beads and blocks in the mold, creating a quite complex design. The cabochon chrysoprase is prong set above a circular opening, bisected with a flattened silver rod. The rollover clasp is secure; the back of the pin indicates .835 silver. The pin measures 1 ¾ inches long (including the rod) and 1 1/8 inches wide.

This bold and intricate ring is the work of Hans Teppich, an Israeli silversmith who was especially active in Jerusalem during the 1950s. Flattened sterling silver wirework curls around an oval cabochon chrysoprase, which is securely bezel-mounted. The stone bears no scratches or other signs of wear. The band is well wrought and strong. The ring top is large, measuring 1 1/8 inches long by 1 inch wide. The Teppich and sterling marks are inside the band. The ring is sized to a little over a 5.

Composed of a hammered-look, lozenge-shaped panel decorated with applied silver wire and beads, this impressive pin evokes a German arts and crafts influence. The faceted stone is almost clear and tests strongly as quartz/amethyst/citrine; in certain light it looks like a smoky quartz or very light citrine. The stone sits securely within a modified bezel mounting and shows no wear or scratching. The C-clasp on the back is well soldered and secure, as is the pin stem. An 800 is impressed into the back to indicate silver content. There are no other obvious identifying marks, but the pin probably dates from the 1930s to the 1950s and has a hand-made look with tool marks and solder drips on the back. It measures 2 ¾ inches long by 1 1/8 inches at its widest part. Gross weight: 19.5 grams

This pin exhibits a sturdy, well-molded design of a pharoah's head with fine detail. It is secured by the original rollover clasp, and is marked sterling on the back. There is no maker’s mark. The pin measures 1 1/2 inches long by 1 ½ inches wide and dates 1950s-1960s. Gross weight: 20.7 grams

Machine-age styling give these sterling silver earrings a clean, distinctive look. They have a warm patina from age, and exhibit very little wear; the clip backs are marked Trifari and are in good working order. The earrings are marked sterling and probably date around 1950. Each measures ¾ inches long by about 5/8 inch wide. Gross weight: 11.8 grams

A charming souvenir ring produced by Gorham for the St. Louis Exposition of 1904. It has retained most of its detail, and commemorates the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The front depicts the head of Thomas Jefferson, who was president at the time of the Purchase. Inside the ring band is the combined Gorham mark, patent date of 1903, the official souvenir stamp, and ‘sterling’; the entire combined mark is stamped and raised. The inside also indicates a ring size of 6 ½, though it is a bit on the small side. Weight: 4.8 grams

This pin features a dynamic abstract design comprised of an elongated piece of amber set in a similarly shaped silver frame. A silver wire applied to the back surrounds the piece evokes a ‘space-age’ sense of movement. The pin is marked 835 on the back for silver content; the mark is accompanied by an impressed abstract fish, probably for the Fischland workshop of Georg and Walter Kramer. The pin measures 2 ½ inches long by about ¾ inch at its widest part.

An impressive, wide, handmade cuff bracelet of ethnic design. The textured band features an applied wavy line of silver on either side of three diamond-shaped reserves of an unidentified amber-colored stone that looks to have been crushed and resin-set. The inside of the bracelet is signed Lillo with possibly the word Creation underneath; it is also marked 925 for sterling. An online source describes Lillo as an Israeli studio that produced handmade jewelry imported to American gift shops and boutiques during the 1960s and 1970s. The cuff has retained its shape and the stones show no signs of damage or wear. It measures 1 ¾ inches wide and has an inside circumference of about 7 ½ inches. Gross weight: 51.4 grams