Catalog (174)

This intriguing (and slightly strange!) pair of pins is from the Art Nouveau era. They feature a woman’s face flanked by flowers, and her hair is greenish – just a little scary! We have been unable to determine what the metal is, so assume it’s not precious. They measure 1-1/4” x 1/2”. The pin stem assemblies are old, but they may be replacements. Circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the USA included...

This fantastic jewel tests as a very strong 14kt, so it’s likely a 15kt English piece. It is set with what we are pretty sure is an iolite (hard to test because of the setting), and 4 pear-shaped purple garnets, all foiled, all set within an Etruscan Revival motif of coiling snake-like decorated gold ropes and leaves, with two dangling gold chains. The brooch measures 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 3/4" deep and weighs 8.7g. With the chains, the whole piece measures 2-1/2” long. The pin stem assembly is al...

This petite gold-filled Edwardian fan-shaped fretwork pin measures 15/16” x 7/8”. A bit worn in places, but still very nice. Oddly, the watch hanger tests as 10k. Signed SIMMONS and RFS & Co (for the R.F. Simmons Co. of Attleboro, MA). Circa 1915. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the USA included.

This graceful pin is from the Edwardian/Art Nouveau era. The round peridot is framed by an oval of seed pearls, between delicate arabesques of gold set with more seed pearls, for a total of 30 (2 are replacements). Stamped 14k on the back, with an illegible maker’s mark, it measures 1-½” x 7/16" and weighs 2.0g. The peridot is slightly scratched, and the safety is a little loose and fussy, but in overall very good antique condition and with a nice patina. Circa 1910. Brought to Europe by th...

This petite French lavalier measures 1-1/8” (not including the jump ring) by 11/16”. It features 3 rose cut diamonds and 3 pearls. Marked only “DEPOSE,” which translates roughly as “patented”, it tests as 18k. The stones are set in white metal, almost certainly platinum. 2.1g. We believe this used to be part of a larger piece, however, the transformation was done very skillfully, and it is in overall very good condition. There is a very small dent on the upper right edge, but it’s ...

This brooch or pin is in the shape of a bow, made from blue and turquoise plique a jour (translucent) enamel with twisted wire work running through it. (The colors in the photographs may be deceptive, depending on your computer monitor). The enamel over the wire spirals is turquoise, and the rest is a medium blue. “Plique a jour” translates roughly as “light of day.” Measuring 1-1/4” x 7/8", it weighs 3.1g. On the back it is marked with “800” for silver content, and an illegible (m...

This strikingly beautiful pin is an interesting mixture of the Art Nouveau and Victorian styles. The Victorians loved to use real insects in jewelry. This particular type was a favorite.The Nouveau jewelers loved naturalistic motifs, but generally didn’t incorporate organic substances – yet the design of the framework is very Nouveau. Marked “14k”, the pale gold setting contrasts nicely with the deep green of the beetle. The pin stem assembly is original. The clasp has a nice safety leve...

This interesting fob is the setting for a sterling coin. It is a Prussian 2 Mark coin. On one side is the face of Friedrich (presumably) and his wife, a Maltese cross, and the words “FRIEDRICH * I * 1701 * WILHELM * II * 1901”; on the other side is an eagle with a crown above, and “DEUTSCHES REICH 1901 ZWEI MARK”. The rest is white metal. The swivel clasp has a mark, which looks like a plow. We haven’t been able to track it down. The coin and split ring weigh approximately .40oz, and ...

This lovely necklace features 13 madeira citrines, 3 clusters of 3 each, and 4 set singly. (Citrine is the birthstone for November, said to bring optimism and joy into life – just what we all need!) The central cluster has a pearl dangle. The rich rose gold is marked 9ct on the clasp, but it tests as a weak 10kt (not unusual). Wearable length is 18-3/4”. It is in excellent condition. The clasp is a little fussy, but could easily be replaced or repaired; we don’t want to do it ourselves, si...

This wonderful Art Nouveau costume piece is circa 1910. The pink glass and brass swag necklace has two pear-shaped pink 'stones' in the center and two spectacle-set ones in the chain.

This pretty pin is in the style of Murrle, Bennett and Archibald Knox. The design is that of a heart interlaced with a navette-shaped frame (this interlace-type motif is also called “entrelac”). It is centered by an oval turquoise, and has a safety chain – always useful! Unsigned, and marked 9ct. It measures 1-1/2 x 3/4", and weighs 2.6g. The gold has a nice patina, and it is in excellent antique condition. Circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully....

This beautifully simple stickpin is the perfect way to set off an elegant suit. The large agate cabochon is bezel set in 18 k gold and is a wonderful swirl on golden colors. The stone is 5/8" top to bottom and the overall length of the pin is 2 7/8". The age is uncertain, but the beauty is timeless.

This is an amazingly modern-looking Art Nouveau necklace. A total of seven garnets, two round, two oval, two square, and one teardrop, are mounted in 14 k gold. The square and teardrop garnets depend from the round stones and add movement to the design. The central dropper is studded with tiny seed pearls. The necklace is 15”long and the piece is unmarked. It dates from 1900-1920 and is a true antique beauty.

This is one of our very favorite pieces: a striking Jugendstil (Germany and Austria’s Arts & Crafts) pendant which is enameled in white and purple. It is made from 900 silver (a bit less fine than sterling), and centered by a lovely oval amethyst which is flanked above and below by tiny seed pearls. There is a pearl dangle (which we added, as the original was missing) below an arc of milgrained metal. It measures 1-1/2” x 7/8” and weighs 4.7g. In overall excellent condition; there is an ar...

This pretty pin combines the styles of Art Nouveau and Edwardian jewelry. We are attributing it to Whiteside & Blank, although it’s unsigned (not unusual for the time), since it’s remarkably similar to another piece by them. The pin consists of a gold framework enameled in very pale green – almost white - in a formal Edwardian key pattern. In the middle is a sprig of gold leaves with a pearl berry; the stem twines around the framework. An interesting juxtaposition of the formal and the org...

This brooch features an ancient Celtic design: two birds (probably swans) with enameled wings, bodies and eyes, with interlaced silver above and below. The enamel is in red, blue, green, and white. It is marked 925 for sterling silver, and has several other marks which are illegible. 1-1/2” X 1-1/4”. There are a couple places where the enamel isn’t quite perfect – please see photos. Probably a more recent casting of an older piece, and very pretty indeed! The photos are part of the desc...

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...

Here is a very Victorian brooch, featuring a cross, anchor, and heart, symbols of faith, hope and charity. The metal has very nice engraving. Unmarked, but made of a layer of gold on top of what looks like copper. The center of the heart is set with a seed pearl, possibly faux, and the cross is set with 11 tiny turquoise-colored cabs – they are too tiny for us to make a definite ID. It measures 1-3/16 x 7/8". The gold shows wear here and there, and it has a nice patina. Overall it is in very g...