Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art (314)

Floral rondelles, the five central ones with tassels, comprise this lovely cut steel necklace. Multi-faceted cut steel jewelry was popular during the 18th and mid 19th century. The jewelry sparkled in candlelight and was used as a substitute for diamonds. The necklace measures 15 1/2" long and 1 3/4" at its widest.

18K pendant of rock crystal with a reverse intaglio of the head of an adorable Pekingese, with an inscription on the reverse side, Ed. Van den Hove & Fils, Bruxelles, C. 1880. This pendant is stylistically characteristic of the work of the Pradier family, whose speciality was painting miniature works of domestic animals. These miniature works of art were widely popular in the United States as well as on the Continent. They are often erroneously referred to as Essex Crystals.

Delightful Victorian "imari" pattern scent bottle with a gilded silver cap which is stamped with the hallmarks for London 1888. The bottle is 2" wide, 2 3/8" hight and 1/2" deep.

Lovely gray lava beads which were inspired by the ruins of Pompeii in Italy. Lava jewelry was actually made from the lava of Mt. Vesuvius as souvenir jewelry fro travelers on the Grand Tour. Notice how the beads are properly graduated, as one would only see on early jewelry made before mass production. The smallest beads at the clasp gradually getting larger until the central bead, which is appropriately the largest and the place where the eye is drawn to.

Essex crystal carving of a horse and jockey surrounded by rose diamonds. Perhaps they are symbolic of the winners wreath. The crystals are carved in reverse or intaglio into the flat back to create a three-dimension trompe l'oeil effect. The image is then painted in realistic detail. The pin measures 15/16 in diameter.

Fanciful Victorian silver collar with a silver locket embellished with two-color gold. The necklace and locket are adorned with geometric arch motifs and engravings. The necklace measures 16 1/2" long and 3/4" wide and the locket measures 1 5/8" long and is hallmarked 1881.

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.

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.

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...

Our glass earrings, in the form of a Latin crosses, are made of Vauxhall glass, popular as jewelry in the 1860's and sold along the pleasure Gardens in Chelsea, where courting couples strolled on summer evenings. Made by skilled artisans who were employed by the Vauxhall Glass Company in an effort to make use of the leftover glass shards from the mirror glass they produced, the jewelry was much loved for the skillful carving of the glass into unique and creative forms...