Catalog (382)

Queen Anne period (1740) large beautifully faceted octagon cut amethyst solitaire ring in a later 18K gold band. This style of jewelry has been historically misnamed for Queen Anne, who reigned from 1695 to 1714, as so called Queen Anne jewelry dates to the mid 18th century. Among other details, we love this ring for its eighteenth century octagonal shape, the quality of the amethyst and the crimped collet gold setting. Beautiful in its simplicity, this ring is sure to attract attention. ...

This is an original 18th century Gouyn period porcelain Chelsea fob seal. This seal features Cupid, quiver slung over his shoulder, standing by an altar sacrificing a heart and reads, Je Vous L'offre, "I offer it (my heart) to you". These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". Charles Gouyn, a French jeweler , with Nicholas Sprimont a silversmith founded the Chelsea Factory in 1743. This is an original seal from the era in which Gouyn was manager of the Chelsea F...

This is an original 18th century Gouyn period porcelain Chelsea fob seal. These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". This particular seal features a nun with her gilded black cape holding a staff and reading from a book. The seal reads in red letters, "Amour Spirituel", ("Spiritual Love"). The black cape with gold edging is in particularly fine condition. Charles Gouyn, a French jeweler, with Nicholas Sprimont, a silversmith founded the Chelsea Factory in 1743...

This is an original 18th century Gouyn period porcelain Chelsea fob seal. These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". This particular seal features Cupid holding a spy-glass to his right eye, his left hand on a globe a quiver slung behind him, concave bottom. It reads in crisp read letters, "'ouvrage pour autrui", "work for others". Charles Gouyn, a French jeweler , with Nicholas Sprimont ...

This is an original 18th century Gouyn period porcelain Chelsea fob seal. These seals were given as love tokens by the wealthy and known as "toys". This particular seal features a woman dancing and holding out her apron on either side. She has a low cut pink bodice and a skirt with a mini print pattern on the front and stripes on the back, and reads "Toujour gai", meaning "Always happy". Charles Gouyn, a French jeweler , with Nicholas Sprimont a silversmith founded the Chelsea Factory in 1...

C 1760 Rare Chelsea seal of a harlequin boy in black face mask with a metal ring at the top. The colors are magnificent. The seal evokes the Commedia dell'Arte, an early form of popular comedic masked theater originating in Italy and popular in Europe from the 16th to the 18th century. The harlequin alone is rare; a harlequin in blackface, rarer still. Blackface was a familiar theatrical device in Europe which made its way to the American colonies and blackface characters appeared on the stages ...

Our C1780 muff chain has an unusual link in the shape of bows. These hand forged bow links continue all around the chain. Georgian muff chains were worn by women who would attach a muff to the chain to conveniently keep their hands warm and the chain was designed to allow the muff to fall at just the right place. This is why original muff chains were always long (shorter chains were generally part of a larger muff chain that has been cut down to make 2 or 3 necklaces). Our chain has a round s...

Utilizing the natural features of the blush and gray speckled agate with a lovely mottled appearance and demonstrating the fine carving that this circle of Italian carvers were known for, our ring is a sensitive portrayal of Sappho, an early poetess who came of age in the time of the Ancient Greeks in the Archaic period. The quality of the carving is reminiscent of the circle of carvers in Rome during the mid eighteenth century which included Anton Pichler and his sons Giovanni and Luigi. K...

Impressive Georgian diamond cluster ring with nineteen diamonds in set in a silver setting with an 18K delicately incised and unusually shaped gold band dating to c. 1780. The pictures speak for themselves. The ring is oriented radially around a large central Georgian diamond and surrounded by 12 smaller Georgian diamonds with three diamonds are fitted into the remaining space around each side in a perfectly symmetrical form. The ring is a size 7.25 and sizeable.

Our C1790 ring is an 18th century glass intaglio of an ancient signed gem depicting the head of a laughing satyr, or faun (a young satyr). Such carvings were called Tassies (explained further down). "Gems" in this case refers not to precious stones, but to ancient classical Greek carvings, highly valued miniature works of art. Our glass intaglio is signed in Greek for Ammonioy, meaning "by Ammonios". It is not clear that the signature stood for any particular gem engraver; however there are...

Rarely seen George III commemorative brooch with George III in profile at the center and decorated with a border of blue and green Vauxhall glass. This historical brooch was thought to have been made to celebrate George III's recovery from porphyria in 1789. The individual pieces of Vauxhall glass are positioned flat against the metal, as is appropriate to the genre. Other details relating to the construction of the brooch are also consistent with a genuine Georgian era brooch, such as the pin e...

Lovely Georgian garnet cluster ring set in 18K gold. The garnets are a bright and lively color giving the ring great panache. The ring is a size 8 and measures 5/8" at its widest.

We love the patina of this antique delicate carved amethyst intaglio depicting a charming bird perched on solid ground, beak pointed upward mounted in a later, retro hammered 24K gold band. The ring is substantial at .38 inch high but not overwhelmingly large. At almost 14 grams and 24K (stamped), this ring is solid gold yet feels surprisingly light. This modern looking signet ring is easy to wear and marries beautifully with other rings. Not to be missed. The ring fits a size 9-9.5 finger.

Georgian chased fob of 15K in the shape of a stirrup cup with a chased built in bale for hanging from your favorite pendant. The fob is filled with clear unadorned citrine. With the gold-work chased on every surface, this is a fob to behold. A nice hefty size, this Georgian fob is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite gold chain.

This wonderful 18K Scottish fob features an imposing tower, the symbol for the Mason family crest. The fob is carved with a motto which reads "Demeure Par La Verite" and translates to "Keep Fast By the Truth". Keep fast by the truth is rooted in the bible: from the Gospel of John, it means remain faithful to the word of God and one will be rewarded with a fruitful life. Our fob is 1.5" tall and just shy of 1.5" wide. Family crest information sourced from Fairbanks' Guide (see photo of fortress d...

A most interesting mourning ring style of the period; the two sided mourning ring with a swivel bezel. One side has a lock of hair under crystal and is bordered with pearls, representing tears, in a pinched gold setting. The other side is a black enamel rectangle inscribed with Mark Hodgson ESQ died 12 July 1810 aged 52 in gold letters. Our ring is in near perfect condition and appears as if it could have been made yesterday, impossible of course, as the Georgian goldsmith's skills cannot be...

Fabulous Berlin iron ring decorated with symbols associated with faith (dove) love (heart) and loyalty (dog). The heart is surrounded by a leafy wreath and surmounted by the dog and the dove. The band has a floral motif, probably laurel leaves. The band has a floral motif. Berlin Iron jewelry was popular in the early 1800's. During the Napoleonic war German women gave their precious jewelry for the war effort and it was replaced with Berlin iron jewelry some with the inscription "Ich gab gelt fu...

Fabulous Berlin iron ring decorated what appears to be agricultural tools, including a scythe. The band has a floral motif. It is possible the ring was owned by a landowner farmer. Popular in the early 1800's, during the Napoleonic war German women gave their precious jewelry for the war effort and it was replaced with Berlin iron jewelry some with the inscription "Ich gab gelt für eisen", I gave gold for iron. The iron jewelry was made by the Royal Berlin Factory, which produced iron for i...