Catalog (174)

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. ☺

This lovely clothes brush has a sterling top patterned with the classic Art Nouveau Swirling tresses and flowers. The brush is marked F & B for the Theo. W. Foster & Bro. Company of Providence RI. This company was incorporated under that name in 1898 and was among the largest manufacturers of jewelry & sterling silver vanity goods in the Art Nouveau period. The brush is 5 ½" X ¾" and dates from 1900-1910.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, Victorian tastes and habits dominated, with subdued colors, mourning jewelry, and general strictness. The Arts & Crafts Movement reacted to this and gathered strength from a number of world events. Jewelry designers and crafters found inspiration in the Far East and the Victorian interest in mechanization gave them new techniques. The result was a burst of color and innovation. This lovely Arts & Crafts pin is hammered sterling silver with mau...

These beautiful sterling silver cufflinks are marked for Unger Bros and sterling. The flower-patterned ovals are linked by chain and are the epitome of Art Nouveau. One oval, darn it, is a plain replacement. Each oval is 7/8" x 3/4". Circa 1910.

This charming watch pin is a lovely example of Art Nouveau design. A central amethyst is flanked by seed pearls, all set in 14 k gold. The pin is 3/4 X 3/4" and carries the maker's mark L B A. Circa 1900.

An antique pin with a modern vibe. This charming Arts & Crafts is made of sterling silver that has been enameled in artfully shaded blue to chartreuse to look like the wings of a stylized moth. A mother-of-pearl oval centers the body, and there is a small faceted green 'stone' (possibly glass) at the head. The pin is 1 ½ by 3/4 inches in size, not including the small spherical dropper which is enameled in a rich blue. The pin is circa 1900.

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 mixed-metal sash buckle’s design is composed of swirling flowers, leaves, and a bud. The silver plate shows some wear - yellow metal shows through at some of the high points. We believe the gold to be about 9kt, and it’s some type of plating. The buckle measures 3 x 2-1/2" and weighs in 47.5 grams. Unmarked. In overall very good condition, except for the few worn spots already mentioned; the gold might be a little worn in a few places too – it’s difficult to tell because of the text...

We believe this lovely (unmarked but tested) 10kt gold jewel is from a time when cannetille work was the vogue because gold was scarce: very fine gold wires twisted into thin strands and then formed into rosettes and other shapes. The amethyst is a delicate shade of purple, and weighs approximately 2.5 carats – it’s very deep. (Amethysts are said to bring calm, and help banish headaches.) The whole lavalier, including the bale, measures 1-1/2 x 9/16”. Two of the seed pearls are missing but...

An image of a crowned queen graces the front of this antique locket. Her crown has a row of 7 tiny single-cut diamonds, and one slightly larger full-cut diamond at the top. Her hair cascades down to her shoulder, and gold disks hang from the crown. There is a tiny dent at about cheek bone height. The back has a monogram, perhaps an S, and has several little dents, which are highly exaggerated in the photos. The rose gold (it was very hard to photograph the color accurately) tests at about 12k. I...

This sweet lady is made of 18kt (tested) yellow gold. Sprinkled with 8 tiny diamonds (the birthstone for April), and with her hair swept up into a bun with whispy tendrils of hair around her ears, she is so charming! She measures 1” x 1” at the widest points, and weighs 2.5g. The gold is a little worn at the high points, and we had the jump ring strengthened, as it was worn very thin – someone clearly loved this piece a lot! On the back, it looks as though a groove was made for testing the...

This dainty pin was made by Hermann & Speck, well-known jewelers of Pforzheim in Germany in the years around the turn of the last century. It is centered by a blue sapphire, and it has a pearl dangle. It is marked 333 for 8kt gold, but when we tested it, it held for 10k (this is not unusual; however we had never seen a mark for 8kt gold before! Very unusual!). It is also marked “Depose,” which roughly translates as “patent.” Measuring 1-7/16” x 1" including the pearl dangle, it weighs ...

This fascinating ring consists of strands of rose gold tied in a knot, and studded with gold spheres. One sphere is missing, which makes it interestingly asymmetrical. The decorated area measures 5/8 x 1/2” and the shank measures 3/16”. The ring has a maker’s mark (“J.M”), the anchor for Birmingham, the date mark for 1903-4, “9”, and “375”, however it tests as 10k (That is not unusual). It’s approximately size 7 (it could be sized), and weighs 5.2g. In places the gold looks y...

This pretty and detailed pin might depict St. Catherine (patroness of young maidens and female scholars – we like her!). There is a wheel in the background (possibly a “Catherine Wheel,” but it could also just be a ship's wheel or a spinning wheel), and a flower in the foreground. Her clothing looks very Renaissance-era to us. Marked “SILVER” on the C-clasp, with an illegible maker’s mark, the metal tests as sterling, and she’s a dainty 7/8” in diameter. 2.5g. In excellent condit...

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...

Here is a petite pin which has a water lily or lotus motif, highlighted by a tiny seed pearl. (The lotus is a symbol of enlightenment and purity, especially to Buddhists.) It is unmarked but tests as 10kt gold. It measures 1-1/8”, and weighs in at 0.04 oz. It would look lovely on a lapel or blouse. Circa 1900. The photos are part of the description; please examine them carefully. Thanks! Shipping, handling & insurance within the USA included.

This serene lady is shown with lotuses or water lilies in her hair. (The lotus, a variety of water lily, has symbolized purity, enlightenment, and resurrection.) This lady is remarkably similar to a piece made by the Unger Bros., but marked only STERLING – and the stamp is reversed! We believe her to be a copy, but still made around 1900 – this seemed to have happened fairly frequently back in the “olden days.” She has the patina of age, a pin stem assembly which is correct for the turn ...

This elegant brush has repousse decorations depicting Art Nouveau lilies on the top, and fancy swirls on the handle. It measures 5-3/4” x 3". It is stamped Sterling, and there are other, illegible, marks. There is a little bit of damage to the silver at the top of the brush, which is exaggerated by the photos. The handle has an undecorated area on each side, ready to be monogrammed, should you want one. On one side this area has some small dings to it. On the other side the photos show camera...