This intricately woven gold necklace with enameled serpent biting its tail, known as an ouroboros, is classically Georgian and circa 1790. Woven gold necklaces like this one took weeks to make and created enormous precision and painstaking detail. Our ouroboros snake necklace, with blue and green enameling and gold paint to denote the snake's scales and amethyst paste eyes, is a treasure to behold. It is quite a miracle that this necklace has survived over 200 years.
This is a Worcester soft paste porcelain tea bowl and saucer, in the the well known Worcester pattern "sworl" or "Queen Charlotte", named for Queen Charlotte, wife of George 111 who bought a service for royal use. Ours is marked with the "scratch B" mark of the Flight and Barr period, c 1795. Priced at $ 1200.
Condition: excellent.
Worcester, Dr. Wall period, Blue Scale soft paste porcelain leaf dish with a mock Chinese mark, circa 1770. .
Condition: excellent Height: 9 inches Width: 8.25 inches
This beautiful Dr. Wall period Worcester soft paste porcelain compote is a large early piece with fancy birds decoration and blue border. Its probably from the Giles workshop.
Condition: excellent Height: 11 inches
Worcester, Dr. Wall period, polychrome floral soft paste porcelain hand painted shell shaped dish, c. 1765. This item has had some invisible restoration.
Condition: good Height: 7.75 inches Width: 8 inches
Worcester, Dr. Wall period soft paste porcelain tea bowl and saucer in the "fence" pattern, a well known transfer design, circa 1775
Condition: excellent
This marked Dr. Wall period Worcester soft paste porcelain platter has beautiful, crisp "blue scale". It would make a fine addition to an important collection.
Condition: excellent Height: 8 inches
Beautiful White and Yellow Gold Circle Drop Earrings C. 1900. We love these charming 15K diamond and yellow and white gold earrings. Old mine cut diamonds wrapped inside a gold cylinder dance inside a concentric gold circle and shimmer in the light. Two smaller mine cuts encased in a gold cylinder are at the top. Mille-graining, which is a minuscule bead that finishes an edge on gold or silver in jewelry, can be seen along bordering the gold cylinders, a nice detail. The earrings are 1 1/4 inche...
Fantastic Whitby jet earrings in the form of concentric circles, a classic geometric shape that we love. The material is made of Whitby Jet, a form of fossilized coal that came from the coal mines of Whitby England in the 18th and 19th centuries. Jet was especially popular during Victorian times because it was acceptable as a form of mourning jewelry. Jet is particularly appealing as a material for crafting jewelry because the material is lightweight and can be carved and polished to a beautiful...
Striking Victorian Whitby jet earrings with a floral design. Jet jewelry became popular after the death of Prince Albert in 1861 when the court went into official mourning. These striking earrings measure 2 1/2" long and 3/4" at their widest.
We have 3 of these c 1810 Wedgwood 8" pearlware dessert plates with lavender ground at each.
Condition: excellent Height: 8 inches
Fun and unusual earrings of Whitby jet with a jet ball hanging below carved Whitby jet florets. Whitby Jet is fossilized coal mined in Whitby, England in the 19th century and made into jet jewelry, used at the time for to create jewelry. It was truly a cottage industry, with men extracting the jet from the mines and turning the precious material over to woodworkers, who hand turned and carved the jet into smooth forms. The jewelry would then go to the women to polish, finish, and assemble the p...
This a rare poesy holder, of sterling silver with an intricate cased foliate design and long pin and ring attached. Known also as Tussie-Mussies, the posy holder was a lady's fashion accessory resembling a small vase and meant to to hold the bouquet of flowers brought by a courting 'gentleman caller'. To show her acceptance of him, the lady would secure the flowers into the posy holder with the attached long pin and wear the holder to a ball. It attached to her hand by means of a chain to which ...
Charming Victorian turquoise drop earrings set in silver, with daisy form tops and bow bottoms, circa 1880. The earrings are attached to gold shepherds hooks and are 1.4 inches long. Turquoise were considered sentimental love jewelry and the Victorians, ever the romantics, associated turquoise with happiness in life.
Lovely sapphire ring with three large sapphires and four small diamonds, an unusual variation of the form of a classic five stone half hoop diamond ring (the each pair of small diamonds read as one larger diamond). Five stone rings were crafted to show emphasis on the gemstones. The ring is set with the gemstones "a jour", or "open to the day", meaning the ring can be worn for hand washing and is appropriate for everyday wear. The stones are polished and clear. The ring is hallmarked 1906 and is...
Classical Victorian hallmarked bangle bracelet with three rows of tiny fleurons and X shaped patterns running horizontally across the bangle with reeding in between. Our bracelet is hallmarked 1883 Birmingham and is in pristine condition. It is approximately 1/8 inch deep, 1 inch wide, and measures a fairly ample 7 3/4 inch in diameter, suitable for most any size wrist.
Silver jewelry was made to appeal to the "working girl" who desired beautiful and well made jewelry in European society. After Queen Victoria's Silver Jubilee in the third quarter of the 19th century, silver cuff bracelets were incredibly popular. Silver cuff bracelets extremely collectible today as they were well made and no two pieces were alike, each was unique in its own way. We are particularly enthralled with this modern take on a classical Greek element, a lavender enameled Greek key whi...
Exquisite Victorian silver bangle bracelet enhanced with a raised floral motif in two color gold. This unusual and striking cuff can be worn alone or joined with other gold or silver bangles. The bracelet measures 1 1/2" wide and its interior measurements are 1 15/16 by 2 1/4. It has hallmarks for Birmingham 1885.
Fantastic engraved 18K gold bracelet set with a shell cameo of the god Pan and presented in its original box. Clearly a one of its kind. The bracelet measures 1 5/8" wide, the interior circumference is 6 1/2", c1840
An essential for every wardrobe, our C1900 9K handcrafted Albert curb link chain has it all; a chain includes with 2 dog clips, an inch of extra chain with a ring attached (from which to hang a pendant) and a T Bar. Each link is stamped 395 9 (9 carat) and with the anchor symbol for the Birmingham. Each element of the chain (links, dog clips, and T Bar) is stamped 9 for 9 karat. The extra length of chain with the T Bar can be removed and the larger ring that attaches it can be used to hang a ...
We love our wonderfully esoteric Grotesque man (or "other") crafted by a talented unknown carver in the 19th century from a chunk of the most desirable orange-red toned coral. Connoisseurs of literature or theater or the arts understand the term Grotesque as referring to fantastical, exaggerated or distorted representations, usually of the human face or figure. (The word "grotesque" originates from the Italian "grottesca", meaning of a cave" (grotto = cave in Italian) and refers to doubled, meta...
Double portrait cameo ring in sardonyx, a variety of onyx and from the chalcedony family of stones, with the profiles of Venus and Mars overlaid in a pleasing contrast and further set on a carved rectangular stone in a 9K cigar band. Mars is shown in black at the foreground with his warrior attributes (helmet and armour) while Venus is portrayed in the background in white. We love the way each is carved from the same piece of stone then further mounted on another piece of stone. Our double portr...
Our early Victorian 15K turquoise and pearl baby ring may be collected in honor of a new baby, worn around the knuckle, or clipped to a split ring and worn around a favorite chain, with or without other baby rings. Our ring has a center turquoise flanked by a pearl on each side. The open gold band is handcrafted with gold whorls and scrolls which are punctuated with little gold balls. Additional gold balls are placed along the shank. The top and bottom gold bands are reeded, another exceptional...
We love baby rings, worn around the knuckle or worn clipped to a large split ring and worn around a chain, or simply collected in honor of a new baby. Our Victorian baby ring has rose diamonds encased in gold, spaced evenly around the band. The band has a royal blue enamel border on both top and bottom of the band. The blue enamel is itself accented by a slender border of gold. The combination of the rose diamonds set in gold with the enamel blue detail make this an exceptional baby ring. The o...
Our Victorian long guard watch chain is composed of an unusual and attractive love knot link. Such chains were called "long guards", and shortened to "guard chains". Watch guard link chains were generally light in weight and always over 50 inches in length. They were designed to hold watches with a dog clips and were originally worn with the chain tucked into a woman's belt with the watch attached to the chain. A great deal of hand work was involved in their construction.
This chain has a ...
Our c1900 9 carat 16.5" long Albert Chain has a slim fetter link, sometimes known as a paper clip link, connected to a love knot link in a repeating pattern. T-bar and ring clasps are stamped 9ct (for 9 carat) and 375. Each fetter link is also stamped 375 and each love knot is stamped with a Birmingham mark and another difficult to distinguish mark.
Alberts are named for Prince Albert who popularized the wearing of a vest with pocket watch and a fob on a chain, the watch in the vest pocket, w...
Double box link original Victorian watch chain terminating in a dog clip stamped 9 carat, this unusual watch chain with its faceted box links attached to one another reveals on close inspection an additional twisted link around each box link, adding interest and glamour to a simple box link watch chain. The link has a slightly yellow gold cast. Note in the photos the detail of the faceted box links as well as the additional twisted link.
The chain looks terrific when paired with others and a...
Wonderful antique silver cuff with rose gold flowers and arches and yellow leaves with etched tendrils in between. Silver jewelry was made to appeal to the "everyman" in society and after the Silver Jubilee in the later part of the 1800's silver jewelry pieces like our cuff bracelet was made in abundance, but no two pieces were alike and each had its own unique design. This antique cuff bracelet is 7 ½ inches in circumference and is 1 inches wide. It fits a small to medium sized wrist.
nusual, rarely seen signet ring with a striking stone of banded agate. The ring has a very small cartouche stamp on the back, it could possibly be the harp indicated Irish origin. Banded agate is a form of quartz with parallel bands of black and white resulting from mineral deposits layering over time, thus the term “banded.” The carved scrolls along the sides are a distinctly Victorian feature, often seen on gold bands during this period and they help to date the ring. The tiny dots carved ...
Each double fetter link on our 18” chunky Victorian albert chain is connected to 3 love knot links with the pattern repeats eight times. The T-bar and dog clips are stamped 9 carat.
Alberts are named for Prince Albert who popularized the wearing of a vest with pocket watch and a fob on a chain, the watch in the vest pocket, with fob and T-Bar dangling. Our chain combines the fetter link and love knot link. Longer links like the fetter link were used to cut down on the laborious process of m...
Delightful Victorian deep blue Vauxhall glass bug will be wonderful to wear for dress up or casual events. Vauxhall mirrored glass jewelry was made at the Vauxhall Glassworks in the outskirts of London, as a way of using their extra shards of mirror glass. It was sold to courting couples at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, and became immensely popular for its intense colors and the exceptional quality of the glass. During the Darwin period, any type of insect was popular, including bees, bugs, and...
These beautifully crafted Egyptian revival cufflinks of sterling silver scarab beetles are the creation of Herman and Eugene Unger, German immigrants who settled in Newark, NJ and were a part of the immensely creative Art Nouveau period at the turn of the nineteenth century. Herman was the silversmith while Eugene was the engraver. Similar to the Art Nouveau period itself, their popularity was brief, not the least of which was that fact that the commercial marketplace had difficulty supporting p...
This rare sterling silver filigree thimble is very old, circa 1810.
Condition: excellent
This link bracelet is very special because the silver gilt forms the shape of pansies. C. 1920 THEODORE FAHRNER, 7 1/2"L x 1/2"H, $ 790. Condition: excellent
Wonderful tea caddy spoon in the form of a jockey cap hallmarked 1927.
Condition: excellent
Beautiful Victorian stickpin of a dog in essex crystal set in a gorgeous 15K gold frame with a 9K gold pin. The ideal way to keep your dog with you at all times. C. 1870, 3/4"W x 1"H, $ 3400. Condition: excellent Height: 1 inch Width: 0.75 inch
Victorian stickpin of a dog in essex crystal set in an 18K gold frame with a large 9K gold pin. Keep your lovely furry companion with you all day. C. 1870, 1"W x 1 1/4"H, $ 3860. Condition: excellent Height: 1.25 inches Width: 1 inch
Fine enamel stickpin of a foxhead set in 15K gold that dates back to the Victorian period. C. 1870, 3/4" diameter, $ 1590. Condition: excellent Height: 0.75 inch
C. 1820, 1 3/4"W x 4 5/8"L x 2"H. Condition: excellent
C. 1820, 2 1/2"W x 6 1/2"L x 1 1/2"H. Condition: excellent
c. 1790, 8"H. Condition: excellent
C. 1820, 1 3/4"W x 4 1/2"L x 2 1/2"H. Condition: excellent
c. 1820, 1 3/8" X 2 3/8" X 3/4"Height. Priced at $ 1750.00 each. Condition: excellent
A rare 2 color English wooden snuff box in the form of a shoe decorated with brass studs and dated 1856. in perfect condition, c1820. Condition: excellent Height: 5.5 inches Width: 1.25 inches
A Snuff box in the form of a shoe was a convenient form to put in a jacket pocket to carry snuff. This mahogany and brass studded shoe dates to 1860
Condition: excellent Height: 3 inches
This snuff box in the form of a shoe, c1860, is mahogany.
Condition: excellent
Wonderful silver cuff depicting a classical arch design including rose gold flowers and yellow gold arches with etched tendrils growing in between. There is a Vaughton's Patent trademark inscription on the inside. Vaughton's was an English manufacturer in Birmingham, still in existence, which made silver jewelry to appeal to all classes of society, including the "working" girl. The small silver balls gracing the bottom and the larger ball placed atop where each arch meets are a nice touch.
Brac...
Lovely early Victorian sterling silver paste pendant with a border of paste stones and royal blue enamel, most likely was a pendant given as a gift to a loved one. The beautiful blue color represented innocence and virtue and was probably given to a young woman by her suitor. Women adored their paste jewelry as much as their diamonds, so the use of paste stones indicates this was likely owned by a member of the "upper crust". The pendant is approximately 1 1/4 inches.
A lovely pair of white paste earrings closed back set in silver gilt. Approximately 18 MM or .7 inches in width, these well scaled earrings can be dressed up or down. Made of "paste", a special glass and lead formula originating from George Ravenscroft, a London glassmaker, during the 17th century and perfected by a French jeweler Georges Strass in the 18th century. Each "paste" was handcarved to fit the setting. Paste has become very collectible and desirable and can no longer be made today. T...
The rare fob pendant that is 3 pieces in 1; it includes a beautiful large niello dog clip which attaches to 3 niello links which further attaches to a 2 compartment round locket, .75 inches in diameter.. Long and elegant, the dog clip allows you to connect the pendant from any metal chain. The beauty of niello is that the colors work equally well with yellow gold, rose gold, silver, or even a niello chain. The locket has 2 compartments from which to hold photos.
This niello technique derives...
Sigi is short for Sigfredo Pineda, who set up his own workshop in the 1950's and is still producing modernist jewelry. He apprenticed under Castillo, not William Spratling as he was born somewhat later, in 1929. He is the sole surviving member of the Taxco silversmith artist colony startedby William Spratling in the 30's and 40's.
We love the clean and modern design of these wonderful coiled cufflinks.
Bullet-back closures mean these can turn 360 degrees on their hinge and fit through any...
Our Victorian silver arrow brooch is handcrafted with a high degree of skill insuring the stone is perfectly and painstakingly carved to fit its mount. The warm colors of the Scottish agate and the matte finish all combine to make this a wonderful brooch.
The arrow was an important Victorian motif representing protection from danger; thus the arrow symbolized maintaining and protecting life. This 19th century brooch has an unusually modern look, without any distracting ornamentation to take ...
The agate that comprises our Victorian flower cluster brooch is handcrafted with a high degree of skill and meticulously carved to fit its sterling silver mount. With a singular focus on the agate’s natural beauty and no distracting ornamentation, our 19th century brooch has a surprisingly modern look. Both the towns of Edinburgh and Birmingham made agate jewelry a specialty of their workshops, of which our flower cluster is a fine example.
Similar brooches are featured in the jewelry book...
Porcelain hound head whistle made by Royal Worcester. This sweet faced dog may be worn as a pendant on a chain or just kept as a pet. The hound measures 1 3/8" wide by by 1 1/8" deep by 7/8" high.
Twin hearts, long a symbol of everlasting love, are set here with pearls, a symbol of purity and wisdom, surrounded by old European cut diamonds and crowned with a bow. The double hearts signify the couple ( "our hearts beat as one") while diamonds symbolize fidelity and everlasting commitment. This romantic Victorian ring is a superb example of an ageless motif. Ring size 6 (almost a 6.25) and can be sized to fit.
Antique marquise shaped 18K gold and chrysoberyl ring is an excellent example of Portuguese jewelry of the late 18th century. The Portuguese mined these gemstones from their colony in Brazil and created jewelry that was typically pave-set as seen here. The ring is size 10 and can be sized to fit.
Georgian 18K gold memorial ring set under crystal with a curl of hair and adorned with four rose diamonds. The inscription reads "John Holman ob 28 Oct 1777 age 45.
This exquisite ring is a testament to the feelings of this man's loved ones. The ring is a size 8 and can be resized. It measures 5/8" wide by 3/4" high.
Marquis shaped memorialized ring of plaited hair set in 18K yellow gold with the initials LC in gold. The underside of the ring is engraved B.L.C. ob Nov 10 1789 aet 37;. The ring is a size 5 1/2 and due to its small size it was likely worn by the wife of the deceased as a memento while he traveled. The ring measures 1 1/4 at its widest. A wonderful piece honoring love.
This Georgian 18K gold, deeply colored amethyst and diamond ring is circa 1810. Size 8 1/2. Condition: excellent Height: 8.25 inches
This Ridgeway porcelain shell shaped dessert dish is painted in beautiful colors, c. 1825.
Condition: excellent Height: 8 inches Width: 8 inches