Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver (45)

Fit for a museum, this rare and wonderful Egyptian Revival pin has a portrait painted on porcelain. It is mounted in 800 silver and surrounded by 16 coral beads on wire. There have been some repairs [not visible from the front] as is so common in jewelry repaired in the 19th century. 1 1/4" diameter. Circa 1875.

This sterling silver buckle features translucent (plique a jour) enamel in a floral motif. These sash buckles with plique are quite unusual. The enamel is red, green, and two shades of blue. It is signed with a “JK” above another “JK” in a box. There are marks for London, 1886, and a duty mark. Measuring 3-1/8” x 2-1/4", it weighs 32.7g or 1.16 oz. It is in very good condition...

This Victorian pin is a gorgeous Egyptian Revival design executed in plique a jour (translucent) enamel framed in gilded silver. The design is a noble vulture holding feathers with lotus blossoms in his (or her) talons. The vulture’s wings are detailed in both opaque and translucent enamels; the tops of the wings are opaque enamel in yellowish green, and the feathers are detailed in yellow-green plique a jour shading to burnt orange...

This elegant pin/pendant consists of an oval of onyx in a sterling frame. The bail tests as 14kt, the pin stem tests as 10k yellow gold. In the center are inlaid gold stars, and along the periphery are inlaid flowers, most likely platinum. The frame is decorated with a silver twist, and a floral motif. It measures 1-15/16 x 1-5/8 inches, and weighs 25.9g. Circa 1880. There is some loss to a couple of the flowers, but it’s still a striking piece. The photos are part of the description...

This fascinating reliquary locket depicts a saint, probably St. Peter, holding a key (to the church? Or perhaps to heaven?), with a dove in the background. On the other side is a photograph of an ecclesiastical-looking person. It contains a touched relic (a bit of ribbon which has been touched to a saint’s bone or something worn by a saint); a tiny metal medal with Mary on one side, saying "Mary conceived without sin” and more Christian imagery on the other; and a wisp of cotton...

This heavily engraved silver pin is from the estate of Helen Aman, who escaped from Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution to settle in California. It was one of the jewels she brought with her from her childhood. It consists of a bell (with a clapper – but it doesn’t actually make any noise) dangling from an angled bar. Marked 84 for 875 silver, it also has a partial city mark, which we believe is for Moscow (which would make sense, given her history)...

This very Victorian grooming chatelaine is from the 1800s. It has a Chinese fish motif at the top, and dangling from that are 3 implements: a tweezers, one for cleaning nails, and an ear-cleaning device. (We saw a similar chatelaine on eBay, and the ear-cleaning implement was advertised as a device for opium users, but we don’t think so! However, as non-opium users, we could be wrong ….) It is unmarked but tests positive for silver, and with a patina consistent with age...

This sweet brooch depicts two adorable cupids, a boy and a girl, looking serene and loving. Their plique a jour (translucent enamel) wings are a pale purple or mauve color, nicely complimenting the 900 silver. The girl is wearing a tiny necklace of roses. The pin measures 1” x 1-3/4” and weighs 5.7g. The clasp might be a replacement, but the rest is all original, and the pin is in excellent antique condition...

This beautiful old miniature depicts a lovely lady, hand painted, in an asymmetrical frame set with seed pearls. It is a watch pin, meaning that there is a hook on the back (invisible from the front) for hanging a dainty watch or some other dangle – or not, if you don’t wish it. It measures 1-3/8 x 1-1/4”. It is unmarked, but has a French/Art Nouveau flavor, and tests 90-100% silver...

This one piece sterling silver buckle would be stunning on a black velvet sash! It was made by Unger Bros in the early 20th century. The ornamental design is a classic scroll and acanthus. The buckle is 4 1/4" x 2 1/2". Marks are 925 (sterling) and the Unger Bros markIt is in excellent condition.

This mixed-metal sash buckle’s design is composed of swirling flowers, leaves, and a bud. The silver plate shows some wear - yellow metal shows through at some of the high points...

This plique a jour pendant is centered with an oval white opal and accented with eight colorless brilliants. The dropper is a fresh water pearl. The translucent enamel is an unusual and lovely blue in color. Plique a jour, that unusual, difficult, and beautiful technique, dates from the 15th century. It was used by Cellini, then revived in the late 1800s in France. The metal frame in this lovely piece is 900 silver, suggesting that the piece is most likely German or Austrian in origin. Circa ...

This silver buckle is so perfectly Art Nouveau and so perfectly William B. Kerr. It is 5 1/4" wide and 1 5/8" high and bears these markings: PATENTED JUNE 25, 1901; STERLING; 1564; and the fasces [maker's mark for Kerr]. It is in excellent condition, and the patina of age has been left undisturbed. Circa 1900.

These beautiful sterling silver cufflinks are marked for Unger Bros and sterling. The flower-patterned ovals are linked by chain and are the epitome of Art Nouveau. One oval, darn it, is a plain replacement. Each oval is 7/8" x 3/4". Circa 1910.

This pretty and detailed pin might depict St. Catherine (patroness of young maidens and female scholars – we like her!). There is a wheel in the background (possibly a “Catherine Wheel,” but it could also just be a ship's wheel or a spinning wheel), and a flower in the foreground. Her clothing looks very Renaissance-era to us. Marked “SILVER” on the C-clasp, with an illegible maker’s mark, the metal tests as sterling, and she’s a dainty 7/8” in diameter. 2.5g. In excellent condit...

Natural Bohemian garnets are featured in this antique pin. Two round elements are made up of three tiers of rich red rose-cut garnets. Each garnet circle is surrounded by a row of tiny rose-cut garnets. Suspended from these elements are three droppers featuring more garnets, round and marquise in shape. These droppers add eye-catching motion to the piece when it is worn. All of the gems are beautifully prong set. The pin is unmarked but is silver and is 1 ¼” wide. It has the original tub...

This beautifully detailed sash buckle was designed for Tiffany by the well-known and highly collectible George Shiebler. The marks are: “Tiffany & Co,” the winged S for Shiebler, “Sterling,” and “4758” (we’re not sure what that means). It is 3” x 2”, with a slight curve to it, and weighs 42.2g/1.49oz. Decorated with a floral motif, it’s a classic beauty. Geo. W. Shiebler & Co. was in business under that name from 1876 until almost 1915. The buckle came in a Tiffany fabric bag...

Recycling isn't a new idea! This charming pin was made with an Art Nouveau era button. The detail of the lady, the flowers, and the bow is wonderful. The pin is 1" X 1/2"; the button is 1/2" in diameter. Circa 1900.