Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art (314)

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...

Antique silver acorn earrings are wonderful and easy to wear. The acorn is a symbol of hope and was often used in heraldry. Earrings measure 1 5/8" long and 3/4" at their widest.

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...

The rare original Niello watch chain that you have been searching for. Fifty Six inches long, our chain has niello patterned fetter links and alternating triple gold links. The fetter link has a wonderful striped pattern wrapped around a gold link, the ends of which link to the triple gold links. An unusual construction, indeed. Niello refers to the ancient technique of decorating silver which was revived in the 19th century and adopted by English jewelry artisans...

The dove of peace soars through the skies. Made of pique, tortoiseshell inlaid with gold, this charming brooch can rest on your shoulder or perch on your lapel.

Lovely early Victorian angel skin coral ring with 10 carved florets and one large carved coral flower at the center, set in a pleasing symmetrical pattern. This ring has a 9K gold band while the coral florets are set in a metal bed. The Victorians loved angel skin coral, which is a red-orange or light pink colored coral, and they especially loved coral cut into cameos, flowers, or fruit. This ring has a rather large head and is therefore best worn alone. This ring is a US size 7.75.

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...

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...

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...

This attractive antique full length 18K watch chain has alternating carved ornamental solid gold by-pyramid link (what we call a "fancy" link) which connects to a pair of linked rings, which connects to simple solid gold by-pyramid link. The C1880 chain measures 59 inches long. It can be worn in various lengths, doubled or tripled, with a locket or pendant, or just as is, shown in the images below. A screwed in bolt clip allows you to add a pendant, if desired...

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...

A very modern looking Niello locket with a modern design on its face and back in black enamel and silver. This most unusual locket would look wonderful hanging from your silver chain. The locket has a Weiner Workstatte (English: Vienna Workshop) graphic style. It is likely this locket design was a Victorian predecessor to this most creative and short lived Austrian movement in the Fin de Siecle...

Rare Georgian "Dear-Regard" ring set in 15K gold. The center motif of a flower is set with a "R"uby, "E"merald, "G"arnet, "A"methyst", "R"uby, and "D"iamond, the first letters of the stones spelling "Regard". The groups of stones on the cusps of the band are set with a "D"iamond, "E"merald, "Amethyst", and "R"uby, the first letters of the stones spelling "Dear". Historically the rings given as a token of love were either "Dearest" or "Regard". This ring is a combination of both sentiments.

Wonderful 15ct double sided Victorian locket ready for your favorite photograph! This lovely chased gold locket can be worn in 2 ways, with the belt buckle motif on the one side, or the old cut diamond on the other. Both sides are beautifully chased. The buckle and buckle motif was popularized by Queen Victoria, and the belt and buckle motif represented the Order of the Garter. The Order features the garter, which is imbued with the symbol of protection, fidelity, and loyalty...

This is an original nineteenth century sterling watch chain with a round interlocking link. Close-up photos reveal the interlocking nature of the links. A great deal of ingenuity went into making chains, and there is nothing like an original long Victorian watch chain that retains its original length...

HM 1916 Birmingham, our Victorian "message" ring with the word "Mizpah" engraved on either side (Miz on one side of the turquoise forget-me-not and Pah on the other side) is an example of the romantic message jewelry that was so popular in the era...

Wonderful Edwardian moonstone necklace set in silver. It is said if your lover gives you a moonstone necklace when the moon is full you will always have a passion for each other. Moonstones became popular during the Art Nouveau period as a talisman for fertility, love, protection, and sleep! This beautiful moonstone needs little excuse for ownership. The necklace measures 16 3/4" long.

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

Condition: excellent Height: 10 inches