Catalog (174)

This sweet brooch depicts two adorable cupids, a boy and a girl, looking serene and loving. Their plique a jour (translucent enamel) wings are a pale purple or mauve color, nicely complimenting the 900 silver. The girl is wearing a tiny necklace of roses. The pin measures 1” x 1-3/4” and weighs 5.7g. The clasp might be a replacement, but the rest is all original, and the pin is in excellent antique condition. It is stamped “DEPOSE” (“patent or registration in France,” but other count...

This brooch or pin is in the shape of a bow, made from blue and turquoise plique a jour (translucent) enamel with twisted wire work running through it. (The colors in the photographs may be deceptive, depending on your computer monitor). The enamel over the wire spirals is turquoise, and the rest is a medium blue. “Plique a jour” translates roughly as “light of day.” Measuring 1-1/4” x 7/8", it weighs 3.1g. On the back it is marked with “800” for silver content, and an illegible (m...

This interesting fob is the setting for a sterling coin. It is a Prussian 2 Mark coin. On one side is the face of Friedrich (presumably) and his wife, a Maltese cross, and the words “FRIEDRICH * I * 1701 * WILHELM * II * 1901”; on the other side is an eagle with a crown above, and “DEUTSCHES REICH 1901 ZWEI MARK”. The rest is white metal. The swivel clasp has a mark, which looks like a plow. We haven’t been able to track it down. The coin and split ring weigh approximately .40oz, and ...

This elegant pin/pendant consists of an oval of onyx in a sterling frame. The bail tests as 14kt, the pin stem tests as 10k yellow gold. In the center are inlaid gold stars, and along the periphery are inlaid flowers, most likely platinum. The frame is decorated with a silver twist, and a floral motif. It measures 1-15/16 x 1-5/8 inches, and weighs 25.9g. Circa 1880. There is some loss to a couple of the flowers, but it’s still a striking piece. The photos are part of the description. Please ...

This sweet pin is so very Art Nouveau! A lady’s face is surrounded by ribbons and flourishes, some set with seed pearls. It is gold filled, and measures 1-1/8” x 7/8”. Her nose and chin show some wear, and it has a patina consistent with age – this piece was very well loved! The pin stem assembly is mounted in an interesting fashion – please see photos. Circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the U...

This maple leave pin consists of plique a jour enamel in a sterling silver setting. This lovely pin is highlighted with paste accent stones along the main leaf veins. The green plique is a very nice rich color. The pin seems to be missing one leaf, however, someone filled in the space with a pretty drop made of green agate, so the loss is hardly noticeable. It is centered by a faux pearl. The enamel itself is in good shape, with only a few hairline cracks - normal in all but the very best pieces...

The three-leafed clover isn't unusual, but four-leafed ones occur once in every 10,000. The fourth leaf stands for LUCK. Here's a lovely and unusual four-leafed clover pin to enhance your jacket and bring good luck all year long. This charming pin has leaves of fossil ivory surrounded by gold nuggets. It is 1" x 1", and is marked NATIVE GOLD NUGGETS. Circa 1890.

This unusual enameled sterling pendant comes out of the Arts & Crafts movement, roughly 1880-1920 (it can be argued that it still continues!) The enamel colors are associated with the women’s suffrage movement in the UK: green (Give), white (Women the), and violet (Vote) – or at least, that’s the story! The free-standing wire work (so unusual!) interlaces around the body of the piece, and holds an oval of mother-of-pearl in place. Also unusual is the use of some brown enamel. There is a li...

This lovely little Art Nouveau watch pin is 14 k gold. The central flower is red enamel and leaves are enameled in green fading to yellowish green. It's pretty and colorful accent for any outfit. Two graceful curves of gold beneath the flower are set with eight seed pearls of graduated sizes. The pin is 3/4" by 1" in size and is dates from Circa 1900.

This pretty pin features an oval purple cabochon, possibly amethyst, possibly glass (it’s hard to get a reading on this stone), centered between two hammered silver leaves (very A&C in style), all in a very Art Nouveau framework. Marked “DEPOS” (probably meant to be “DEPOSE”, which translates roughly as “patented”), it is probably from Germany. There are two illegible marks, one on the C-clasp, and one on the back. It tests as silver, measures 1-3/4” x 3/4", and weighs 4.4 g. Th...

This silver buckle is so perfectly Art Nouveau and so perfectly William B. Kerr. It is 5 1/4" wide and 1 5/8" high and bears these markings: PATENTED JUNE 25, 1901; STERLING; 1564; and the fasces [maker's mark for Kerr]. It is in excellent condition, and the patina of age has been left undisturbed. Circa 1900.

This lovely pendant is beautiful, antique, European, and signed by a famous but mysterious maker--can it get any better? The Art Nouveau movement revolutionized art and design in the late 1890s and early 1900s across continents. In Germany, the style was called Jugend Stil—Young Style, and many of the better known jewelry makers congregated in Pforzheim. The company of Meyle and Mayer was well known Jugenstil, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco jewelry, but today it is almost impossible to learn mu...

This is one of our favorite pins! The colors are so pretty, and the leafy design is so very Arts & Crafts-y! It has a berry and leaf motif, highlighted by a central cushion-cut cabochon blue chalcedony (thought to bring good luck), with a round green aventurine cabochon on either side. Measuring 1-1/4” x 3/8", it is unmarked but tests as silver. It is in excellent condition, although the pin is a little bent (pretty typical for these old pieces). The pin stem assembly may be a replacement, but...

This Art Nouveau stickpin is both simple and simply attractive. It dates from about 1900. The artful knot of 14 k gold holds a small pearl. The pin is ~3" long, and it comes with a clutch to prevent accidental stabbings. ☺

The Edwardian fashion for white metal and pale colors is perfectly represented in this lovely bar pin. The white gold is marked and tests 9 k. The pin is 2" long, and is centered with a ½" diamond-shaped, faceted amethyst of lovely color. It dates from the early 20th century.

Also an embarrassment, since two gemologists can't determine what the stone or the metal might be. However, this is a very beautiful Egyptian Revival piece which ought to be vintage (or even antique) The enigmatic yellow stone does not appear to be glass and the metal tests as 10 k gold, but by this time uncertainty rules! The pin is 2 5/8" overall, and the decorative head is 7/8", so it's large enough to make a statement on your lapel. We think it's circa 1900, but are not sure. There a...

This fabulous Art Nouveau/ Edwardian necklace would be perfect for a bride … or anyone, really, at any time! The “wow” factor is huge! It measures 1-1/4” at the widest point, and from the top-most diamond to the bottom of the dropper it is 2-1/4”. The dropper is a river or “dogtooth” pearl, 11/16” long, which has a collar of gold around it, set with 3 Old European cut diamonds, and swirls of gold holding 4 more little pearls. The main section features 3 more tiny Old European cut...

This charming 14 k gold pin is an homage to a moment in American history. The Daughters of Liberty was formed ~1766, shortly after the Sons of Liberty. This group of brave women boycotted British products and made use of traditional women's skills such as weaving and spinning, to support the cause of liberty. The pin bears an enameled flag, initials, the number five, and the date 1860. It is 1 X 1/1/2" in size.