Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art (314)

Victorian Pietra Dura earrings of a butterfly, set in 9K gold. Pietra dura is a form of micro-mosaic made with pieces of hard stone such as agate, and cemented into black marble. It is also known as Florentine mosaic as Florence, Italy was the center of manufacture of these wonderful pieces. Red is a particularly rare color to find in Pietra dura. The earrings are set onto 14K ear wires.

Delightful 18K hand over heart fede ring. - the word fede means faithful. The Victorians were fond of such romantic sentiments. The ring has a tiny diamond set on the ring finger of the gold hand, a lovely and surprising detail. The ring is a US size 8 1/4.

Napolean III amethyst necklace individually claw set in 18k yellow gold with gold spacers in the archeological taste. An extra amethyst gem link is available to lengthen the chain should this be desired. There is a safety chain for additional security. The necklace is 15.5 inches in length.

Lovely early Victorian bow pin of white woven hair set with turquoise in 15K gold. Hair jewelry was primarily of a romantic or loving nature. Queen Victoria was given a brooch made from her mother's hair for her 16th birthday. This pin measures 1 3/4" wide by 1 3/4" high by 1/4" deep.

Wonderful to wear as a pendant this retractable pencil slides into an enameled gilded mummy. In the 1870s-1880s, the Egyptian Revival styles were in vogue as archaeological digs discovered ancient tombs that brought to light rare finds. Their motifs were incorporated into jewelry, objects, furniture, glass and pottery.

A good example of the remarkable talent behind the wonderful Austrian Bronze handmade, hand painted bronze miniature figurines, made in the late nineteenth century. Austrian bronzes are individually cast from sand molds used only once, then sculpted and cold painted by hand with several and secretive colors of enamel paints, known as "dust" paints. This resulted in very fine and realistic studies of the different models...

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...

Victorian silver and three color gold locket with a raised floral and foliate design. Wonderful to wear on a chain, either short or long as shown here. The locket measures 1 3/4" high by 1 3/8" wide.

Ashworth ironstone dinner plate in an imari pattern, known as the "Rose Pattern", c1865 priced at

Condition: excellent Height: 10 inches

C.1860 18ct Pietra-Dura Flower Brooch Antique 18K Gold Pietra Dura Brooch, Italy C.1875. Oval shape brooch with fine pietra dura floral green, robins egg blue inlay colors,and white and gold flowers as accents. 18K surround gold mount with 8 gold X's soldered symmetrically around the gold border.

Though the hallmarks show it to be of the Victorian era, this memorial band was made in the Regency style of the earlier part of the century. It is hallmarked for Birmingham, 1863. The words IN MEMORY OF are carved to the outside of the band along with raised religious and mourning imagery including Maltese crosses and fallen leaves. The gold-work is heavily chased. This ring was probably made as an advance order but never inscribed...

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 C1870 Victorian necklace features 9K hand crafted solid gold beads strung on a gold chain. It is the perfect piece for layering with an antique chain, or layering with another beaded chain as shown in our photos. (Other beaded chain seen in photo is also available on 1St dibs as a 18K gold bead necklace). The necklace is 16 inches long and weighs 24 grams.

C1880 Victorian buckle bracelet beautifully engraved with clover leaves and a geometric design. The bracelet is stamped "Sterling". Buckle bracelets became very popular when Queen Victoria wore the Order of the Garter on her arm. The bracelet measures 1 3/16" wide. The interior dimensions are 1 7/8" wide by 2 1/8" long.

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.

Early C1860 Victorian Marquise shaped ring of 15K gold, silver, enamel and diamonds set in a floral and leaf design. Wow! how fantastic! The stylized leaf form with young diamond buds harkens to the expression “nipped in the bud”, when mourning one who dies too young. The ring is a size 5.5 and can be resized to fit.

Our keeper ring once had hallmarks but they are worn off, so we are estimating this ring to be from the late 1890's. Our ring has plaited gold work on the underside, a work of art of itself. A "Keeper" ring is a snug fitting ring worn to prevent the loss of a more valuable ring by keeping the larger ring from sliding off. Keeper rings were also known as magic, or illusion rings, because of the illusion created by rotating the band causing it to appear to widen, to narrow, then to widen again...

This pattern on our watch chain comes from an ancient technique of decorating silver, known as niello. Niello which was revived in the 19th century and adopted by English jewelry artisans. The word niello which derives from the Latin form of niger, or black...

Our substantial 18K Victorian buckle ring is hallmarked London for the year 1894 has two star set cushion cut diamonds set securely flush with the band. The clean and simple design of the ring makes it wearable for hand washing and most daily activities. Buckle rings were popular in the Victorian era. As it was the Queen's order, Victoria wore the symbol of the garter in the form of a buckle bracelet or buckle ring on her arm, as she obviously could not show the garter on her leg...

his is an original nineteenth century sterling watch chain with a substantial square shaped link called a Venetian or box link. Closeup photos reveal the interesting interlocking pattern of the links. A great deal of ingenuity went into making chains, and there is nothing like an original long Victorian watch chain that has never been chopped up into shorter chains, but retains its original length. If you favor chains that are fabricated by hand, this chain is a real find...

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...

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)...

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...

Lightweight, hand forged 72 inch long 15k belcher long guard chain which can be doubled or tripled or quadrupled as a necklace. The belcher link is sometimes called a box link chain and is an interlocking square open link that remains popular to this day. Note that this is an original Victorian chain that has remained intact through the years and not chopped up into shorter chains...

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...

The birthstone for December, this antique five-stone turquoise ring, with its smooth, sky blue, nicely matched stones, is 15K and hallmarked Chester, 1907. Turquoise was thought to have talisman properties and to bring good fortune to the wearer. The ring is a size 7.5

Our 18K gypsy ring has 3 well mounted and clean round diamonds mounted securely in a polished gold band. Such rings were made with the gemstones set flush with the gold band, one of the most secure ways to set a ring. The secure setting made the rings well suited for people with active lifestyles and were popular well into the twentieth century. The ring looks great stacked with others or alone. The year “1909” and an 18K mark can be seen on the inside of the band. The name is indecipherable...

We love the simplicity of this claw set amethyst single cabochon stone ring, made somewhere around the turn of the century or later. The ring is hallmarked 15K and has 3 decorative notches cut on both sides of the band. The single cabochon amethyst stone is a smooth and polished clear shade of purple and perfect. Notice the ring stands high on the hand. The ring is open backed and can be worn everyday and hand washing will not disturb it. US Size 8.5 but it can be resized.

Our antique band ring has a pleasing minimalist vibe with its open cutwork of scrolls carved in platinum and trimmed in an 22K border. This is a simple band that is complex to make and constructed of materials that were highly expensive. Platinum was and is still an extremely strong and durable metal. The ring works beautifully for stacking ring and with gold and silver rings alike. It is as size 8 and is not size-able.

Classic Victorian ruby and diamond ring with a star set diamond set in a square and offset by 2 smaller diamonds and a singular ruby. The facets of the stones and gold band echo the geometry of the star setting and unusual square ring head. The ring is hallmarked so we knew exactly when it was made. Comfortable on and suitable for everyday wear. A great choice for anyone seeking a genuine antique Victorian ring to add to their stack. The ring is a US size 6.5 and can be sized.

Striking early Edwardian 18K gold ring of a man in a turban set with diamonds. The ring dates to 1900 . The ring has a French hallmark in the shape of a pineapple and a makers mark "JD". It is a size 8 and measures 3/4" at its widest.

This ring is unusual in that in represents many Victorian motifs; the love knot, the serpent (symbolizing eternal love), and the twisted band on each side is another version the love knot. The love knot dates to antiquity, symbolizing love, friendship and affection. The simple knot, lacking a beginning, middle or end, evokes the eternal connection and unbreakable bond between two people. The rose diamond studded snake head is the proverbial "icing on the cake" on this interesting and unusual hal...

9K antique snake ring with the snake wrapped four times around and revealing a very cute snake expression and cute round diamond eyes encased in a carved setting. The ring is hallmarked Birmingham 1910. The snake with its tail in its mouth was popular as a symbol of eternal life and was popularized by Queen Victoria when she was given a snake ring as her engagement ring by Prince Albert. The ring is US size 10 and was likely owned by a man at one time, as snake rings were popular among men as we...

This enchanting ruby band ring has 5 rubies displayed in a linear formation along the face of the polished gold band, which has a gold "leaf" carved into the band that in a charming manner appears to be "reaching" around to capture the gemstone mounted face of the ring. Our 15K Edwardian ruby band ring is hallmarked Birmingham for the year 1907. It has a maker's mark of "L BROTHERS". The ring weighs 2.1 grams and is a size US 7 3/4.

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...

A rare example of the remarkable talent behind the wonderful Austrian Bronze hand painted bronze miniature figurines which were made around the turn of the 20th century in foundries in Austria and Vienna following a period (mid nineteenth century) when realism and and naturalism were in vogue. The bronzes were individually cast from sand molds used only once, then sculpted and cold painted by hand with several coats of a special and an unknown enamel paint that can no longer be replicated, resu...

It's an adorable miniature inkstand in pewter. Wonderful for a dollhouse. circa 1900.

Condition: excellent Height: 1.75 inches Width: 1 inch

Stickpins, also known as tie pins, have been collected since the 18th century when neckwear for men came into fashion. They were made in all manner of styles well into the 20th century, with no limits to the imagination as the pursuit of novelty came into full swing. The sun moon and stars motif represents the flow of time as our world cycles through from day to night. We love the ethereal beauty of this stick pin with its combination of tiny pearls and turquoise, which we think helps to bring a...

Stunning 18K gold and diamond cufflinks, c1900, depicting eagles, a great gift for that special French Cuff Guy. Stunning 18K gold and diamond cufflinks, c1900, depicting eagles. Eagles are often scene in mythological scenes w Zeus, the King of the gods, as a symbol of his strength and power. The cufflinks are hallmarked w the initials FC, referring to Frederick Courthope, a master goldsmith who worked in the Arts and Crafts tradition. Courthope took over the business of the respected Georg...

Antique 18K and diamond-studded lover's knot ring with nice clear hallmarks for Chester, 1909. The knot motif is a Victorian symbol of love. It continued in popularity through WWI. Our knot ring has three old mine cut diamonds embedded securely within incised stars which are further placed in gold squares. The figural knot can be seen on the underside of the ring and is every bit as beautiful as the front. This ring is a size 6 3/4.

Delicate and ephemeral Victorian necklace woven from gold to create a light transparent woven gold necklace. Such necklaces often took the goldsmith weeks to make, and were entirely crafted by hand. The necklace is lightweight around the neck and literally weightless and is 16.5 inches long.

Wonderful brightly colored half hoop ring of the classic Victorian 5 stone design consisting of 3 emeralds and 2 amethysts.

This slithering 18K gold snake ring with diamond eyes is a delight to wear. The snake motif, in this case, a snake eating it tail, an ouroboros, was first popularized in Victorian jewelry as a symbol of eternal life and eternal love. Queen Victoria's engagement ring was a snake. Our snake ring can be worn with the snake head looking down or up, whatever you prefer. The ring is hallmarked London, 1904. The ring is a US size 6 1/2.

Antique 9K gold Victorian "message" ring, "Mizpah, symbolizing a bond between two people, comes from a bible quote in the book of Genesis, "The Lord watch between thee and me, when we are absent one from another". Mizpah is the Hebrew word for "Watchtower", a pillar of stones which symbolized the covenant between Jacob and Laban. Mizpah rings were often exchanged between two people in the hope of protecting the two during a period of separation, often by war.

Ring of diamonds and platinum, our band has 5 cushion cut diamond atop a band incised with scrolls and "V" flourishes. The ring has hallmarks for platinum and 18K as well as a maker's mark WG&S, William Greenwood and Sons. If you are looking for a diamond ring for a small finger size, this is the ring for you. US/Can. size 3 3/4.

Sterling silver 62 inch hand forged watch chain with an unusual S shaped spiral link that mimics the neoclassical ornamental ironwork designs of the 19th century. The hand forged links are repeated all around the chain. This chain is completely made up of these neoclassical style links. It has a round bolt clip from which you can add a pendant. It can be worn with a suit or a tee shirt and will look terrific with either.

18K yellow gold sapphire ring with three large sapphires and two diamonds, all roughly equal in size, in the form of a classic Victorian half hoop diamond ring, with 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 measures US 7 ½.

An essential chain for one's jewelry collection, this 18 inch long 9k Albert curb link chain has 2 dog clips attached for use as a clasp or to hang a pendant from. Each individual link and dog clip is individually stamped 9 and 375 (for 9K). "Albert" chains are a style of watch chain named after Prince Albert and were worn by both men and women in the 19th and early 20th century. This chain is particularly wonderful because of the two clips All the parts of the chain are original and intact an...

C1900 18K figural dog fob depicting a greyhound, or possibly a whippet, with adorable blue collar, perched atop a bed of lapis. He or she would look wonderful as a pendant threaded through a gold split ring and attached to an antique gold chain, or dispense with the split ring all together and wear alone. We have attached an image of a dog fob suspended form an antique gold chain below, as an example (the chain not included) of how it looks. Images show what the figural whippet fob looks like fr...

Lovely sapphire ring with three large sapphires and four small diamonds, a variation of the 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" and can thus be worn for everyday wear and can be exposed to moisture within concern. The ring is a size 5 1/2.

15K Victorian chain with a link design consisting of two "paperclips" joined together at a perfect 90 degree angle, leading to a lovely unusual lovers knot link where the lover's knot is wrapped in a braided pattern several times about a simple oval link (see close ups). Both the paper clip and the lover's knot links are Victorian motifs used to convey love and devotion. The chain is substantial at 36.3 grams. and at 51 inches can be worn doubled or tripled. There is a nicely scaled dog clip an...

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 ...

HM 1905 18K Diamond Knot Ring. Antique 18K and diamond-studded lover's knot ring hallmarked for Birmingham, 1905. Lover's knots were a Victorian motif that continued in popularity through WWI. Our lover's knot ring has three old mine cut diamonds embedded securely within incised stars set in gold squares. The figural knot can be seen on the underside of the ring and is as beautiful as the front. The ring can be sized and is a US size 9.

Sophisticated and smart double sided 18K French cufflinks with the "owl" hallmark. The cufflinks are marquis shaped with 4 X's, or "kisses". The construction of the cufflinks is extremely well thought out, as the "free" end of the cufflink toggles on a hinge so it can be pulled with ease through the back cuff. For the French cuff type of guy!

We love these late Victorian 2 color gold coral earrings and the contrast between the yellow gold and rose gold of the three leaf arrangement. Each leaf is topped with a single coral rose. The leaf form is espaliered to a 15K textured gold "frame". The earrings are 1.5 inches long and hang from shepherd's hooks. Please be sure and ask us about the matching brooch to these earrings.

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.

This sterling pin cushion in the form of a swan, is hallmarked Chester, 1911.

Condition: excellent Height: 1.5 inches Width: 2 inches

The Art Deco era ushered in a wave of exotic forms, of which our lizard ring is a superb example. Our 14K ring with an intricately carved reptile planted between 3 gemstones, a larger diamond on one side and a sapphire and smaller diamond on the other, is centered on historicism (as was the Art Deco period); reptiles date from ancient Rome and were a symbol of wedded bliss. The ring is sturdy and solid with its thick band, substantial face and firmly set gemstones. There is a small opening behi...

This fancy gold lined iron band reads "Gold Gab Ich Fur Eisen", meaning "I gave gold for iron", and was part of a patriotic effort to fund the Austro Hungarian War whereupon German citizens were asked to donate their gold jewelry and other gold articles and in return they would receive iron rings with these patriotic inscriptions. The movement spawned from an earlier movement during the war of 1812 when Germans were asked to donate their gold jewelry to help their country in the effort to defea...

Fabulous chunky 18K and diamond-studded lover's knot ring hallmarked London, 1919. Unusual knot ring with three gold diamond-shaped squares superimposed along the knot band and table-cut diamonds embedded securely within the incised stars on each square. The figural knot can be seen on the underside of the ring and is almost as beautiful as the front. The ring is a US size 8 and can be sized.