Catalog (382)

This is a long silver watch chain with alternating lengths of longer and shorter fetter links. For the better part of the nineteenth century, chains were fashioned laboriously using hand-working skills. A fetter link refers to a longer link which was used to reduce the number of links needed to fabricate a chain, thereby cutting down on the labor. The longer links are polished smooth while the shorter links have an interesting texture. If you appreciate chains that are fully fabricated by ...

The longest watch chain we have ever come across, this authentic Sterling Victorian slinky watch chain has an unusual link. Victorian watch chains were worn by women, as well as men, to hang a watch, which would snap into the end of a long chain and tuck into a pocket or a belt at the waist. (This is why original watch chains were always very long. Shorter watch chains are part of a larger chain that has been cut down to make 2 or 3 necklaces). At 78 inches in length, our chain can be looped ove...

This is a sterling silver Victorian chain with a fine link intertwined with 9K ornamental gold balls that add interest and color. The gold balls are spaced evenly and symmetrically around the chain, as they should be, on a properly fabricated chain. We have attempted to show this in the photos. AT 55 inches long, it will hang 2 or 3 times around the neck. Because of the combination of gold and silver used together in this chain, it can be worn with gold or silver pendants (note the large bolt ri...

The symbolism and motifs behind the Victorian bangle bracelets, with their quaint floral bouquets and plants and trails of leaves well known. Our Sterling silver bangle has two carved stylized vases of flowers on either side, a vertical array of flowers next to each and at center, what appears to be two vertical daisies and leaf tendrils. This bracelets are quintessentially Victorian; sentimental jewelry always had associated meanings behind different flowers. Flowers were known as "messengers o...

Substantial silver bangle bracelet with an elliptical border of open cutwork featuring delicate daisies and swirl designs. The delicate openwork border surrounds smaller raised ellipse at center which with a delicate carved composition of a bird and a bee together in flight. An arabesque design flanks each side of the elipse to complete the symmetrical arrangement. These were Western interpretations copied from the Japanese aesthetic movement, but were made by Birmingham manufacturers for mass c...

This is a rare example of the remarkable talent behind the wonderful Austrian Bronze handmade, hand painted bronze miniature figurines which were made around the turn of the 20th century in foundries in Austria and Vienna. Austrian bronzes are individually cast from sand molds used only once, then sculpted and cold painted by hand with several coats of a special and secretive type of enamel paint, resulting in very detailed and life like miniature figures. Our spider, approximately 1 inch square...

We adore this c 1880 Shakudo ring featuring a We adore this c1880 Shakudo ring depicting a Japanese samurai warrior with two swords, dressed in traditional garb, writing his wishes on strips of paper that he will hang from bamboo branches, in Japanese tradition said to make wishes come true. Shakudo is an ancient Japanese art form which developed from the Samurai tradition of sword making. The metalwork used in the Shakudo technique consists of inlays of alloys of gold and copper on a dark cop...

Authentic Murphy family crest ring, complete with the motto and crest, all artfully carved in bloodstone (bloodstone is a dark green variety of chalcedony with red specks). The Lion Rampant stands in profile at the top holding a wheat sheath between his paws, the crest sits below and the banner with Latin motto Fortis et hospitales adorns the bottom of the ring face. The wheat is representative of abundance and the lion of strength and bravery. Irish crests always include a shield and a motto in...

Unusual lightweight original watch chain of made of gunmetal, an alloy of copper and tin that was used to make decorative chains, purses, brooches, buckles and other items during the Victorian era. Our chain has alternating links and balls throughout and the pattern is consistent and uninterrupted (this is something we look for and is important because it shows the chain is in its original condition with no links removed). Besides being decorative, such watch chains were useful; people would ha...

Unusual lightweight original watch chain of made of gunmetal, a material used to make decorative chains, purses, brooches, buckles and other items during the Victorian era. Gunmetal is an alloy of copper and tin. Our chain has a lovely complex knot link that is shown closeup in the images. It is hard to imagine the time it took to construct such a chain by hand, and a similar link could not be made today. Gunmetal watch chains were both decorative and functional. People would hang their key...

Attractive bracelet with 8 nicely proportioned brilliant cut rock crystals set in individual gilt metal rope bezels attached to one another with a double set of links. The bracelet fits a medium-sized wrist and hangs attractively. The clear stones and gilt metal would make a nice addition when worn with other gold bangles as the clear rock crystal stones and gilt metal compliment gold.Fits a small to medium sized wrist.

Often confused with Whitby Jet, French Jet is polished glass with a more brilliant luster and flashier. Like Whitby Jet, it is truly antique, of the (Victorian) period, and no longer made, and therefore highly collectible. Like Whitby Jet, it was often used for mourning. This lightweight collar has a classic and unique look, looks terrific on and can be adjusted to different lengths about the neck, as it has a simple ribbon tie closure. There are scratches on the backs of a few of the fre...

Translated as "pierce" in French, the word pique describes a classically Victorian type of jewelry made by heating tortoiseshell and piercing it with gold and silver inlays to create beautiful geometric or floral patterns. This describes the beautiful art of pique jewelry, made from the upper shell and lower belly of the hawksbill turtle and considered the highest quality of turtle shell and used for the production of beautiful boxes, objet, hair ornaments, and in the nineteenth century, jewelry...

This is a good example of the remarkable talent behind the wonderful Austrian Bronze handmade, hand painted bronze miniature figurines which were made around the turn of the 20th century in foundries in Austria and Vienna. Austrian bronzes are individually cast from sand molds used only once, then sculpted and cold painted by hand with several coats of a special and secretive type of enamel paint, resulting in very detailed and life like miniature figures. Our pair of dachshunds, both with red c...

Lovely carved bracelet of polished jet. Jet was a form of fossilized coal that was discovered in the town of Whitby, England in the late 18th century. This gave rise to a cottage industry that employed many in the town of Whitney in the 19th century, as jet formed the material for lightweight striking black jewelry forms which were perfect i to meet the unending demand for mourning jewelry during the Victorian era (owing to Queen Victoria's long extended period of mourning for hur late husband ...

Victorian 18K Carnelian agate swivel ring of a bearded man in profile. The fiery orange red glow of the Carnelian stone mesmerizes and the feel of the revolving swivel makes this a unique and very pleasant ring to won. The bearded unknown man is beautifully carved on one side while the other side is plain. The ring is .75 inches long and .5 inches wide and fits a size 7-7.5 and fairly large in scale and has great presence. The last photos show the scale of the ring relative to other signets.

A good example of the remarkable talent behind the wonderful Austrian Bronze handmade, hand painted bronze miniature figurines. Austrian bronzes are individually cast from sand molds used only once, then sculpted and cold painted by hand with several coats of paint. This rare painted butterfly is approximately 1 inch long and 1 1/4 inches wide. A perfect collection for the entomologist or botany professor in your life. A someone who just wants to start a collection who has only a small amount of...

Our star stamped chain link bracelet is made up of two strands of 9 carat gold chains set parallel to each other and soldered together in at three places along the length of the bracelet, which gives it movement. The bracelet has small round links each of which are stamped with little stars. The back of the bracelet is identical to the front, also stamped with stars on each round link. The double strands terminate at both ends in a square prism set on the angle of a diamond, with the square pris...