Antique & Vintage Jewellery
Beautiful Chinese carnelian silver bracelet
Price: £75
This is a very elegant and substantial bracelet comprising five stations of carved carnelian mounted in silver with hinges. There is quite an large an unusual bowed bar clasp that would be nice for engraving someone's name perhaps. Marked 925.
Carved Chinese brown jade necklace
Price: £55
This is an intricately carved brown jade necklace with a large carved pendant with corresponding carved and round beads. It is strung on a brown silk cord with adjustable Chinese knot.
Victorian small note pad for chatelaine
Price: £45
This is a charming small note pad that would have hung from a ladies chatelaine or a ladies "tool belt" so to speak. It is silver plated with the original paper pages with actual notes on them which is fun. There is also the original mechanical pencil. There is a spring hinge so the notepad opens automatically. The silver plate has a repousse design of angels or putti very typical during this time.
American Art Deco silver and marcasite brooch
Price: £35
This is a very interesting brooch in an Art Deco architectural design. It comprises marcasite and paste stones set into silver. It is marked Sterling which indicates that it is American. A real find the vintage collector.
Egyptian Revival suite of a necklace and earrings, 20th century, c1980
Price: £65
This is a lovely set of a necklace and earrings in silver both with typical Egyptian iconographic designs and Egyptian silver hall marks.
Jade roundel bead necklace
Price: £15
This is a simple necklace comprising natural jade roundel beads. Understated and elegant.
Art Deco rock crystal bead necklace
Price: £25
This a very unusual necklace comprising many different shaped beads made from rock crystal.
Victorian Whitby jet mourning brooch
Price: £75
This is a quite large brooch in a scroll work design and Greek key edging. It is Whitby jet a fossilised wood stone that is from the Jurassic period that is found in the North York moors in northern England. Whitby jet was the main material for mourning jewellery during the Victorian age for obvious reasons.
Silver Butterfly form Pendant set with Abalone, Bali, C20th
Price: £95
A Balinese Art Nouveau style silver plaque Pendant in the form of a butterfly, the wings with beaded and ‘micro dot' decoration and set with four abalone panels. The plaque dates to the late C20th, probably 1970s/1980s and has been fitted with a complementary modern English silver belcher chain.
Scottish silver ring inset with a Chalcedony stone, 1950s
Price: £45
A Scottish silver ring with a thistle design, inset with a Chalcedony stone, marked ‘silver’ to the interior, 1950s.
Chinese Silver Bangle with Dragon Heads, C20th
Price: £45
A Chinese silver bangle of simple loop form terminating in two Dragon’s heads. One head with a small circular pad marked 925, Twentieth Century.
Balinese Silver Bangle with Elephant Heads, 1980s
Price: £45
Balinese Silver Bangle with a typical rope twist design terminating in two elephant heads with raised trunks. One terminal with a small circular pad marked 925 (the nine is very feint and can only be seen with a loop). Style and form of decoration suggest a circa date in the 1980s.
Art Deco Chinese Export silver Buckle later converted to a Necklace
Price: £125
This is a beautiful necklace comprising a very detailed silver buckle that depicts a sinuous dragon encricling the characters for "Blessing", It has been converted to a necklace using a period belcher chain. Full import marks to the reverse and marked Silver.
Two complementary Bracelets in a Greek Key design
Price: £45
This is an interesting lot of two bracelets that match one another well. They are both finely made and are decorated in the typically stylish Greek Key design. Continental and marked 925. The ‘Greek key’, also known as the ‘meander’, is a repeating geometric motif that has been used in a wide variety of decorative contexts for centuries. The pattern can be found in a variety of forms. At its most basic, it is a band consisting of short horizontal and vertical lines, connected at right angles. But it can be more complex, forming labyrinths and interlocking key patterns.
Edwardian Scottish agate panel bracelet
Price: £75
This is a lovely and delicate bracelet comprising both carnelian and banded agate plaques, mounted in brass with an integrated clasp.
Very unusual banded carnelian panel bracelet
Price: £45
This is a very striking bracelet comprising six large banded carnelian panels interspersed with carnelian beads on typical stretch elastic. This is especially beautiful because the stones have natural inclusions. The origin of this bracelet is not clear. Could be Scottish or possibly Chinese.
Outstanding strand of Chinese coral beads
Price: £150
This is an amazing necklace comprising large carved Art Deco coral beads strung with more modern 20th century round beads and fitted with a Chinese silver clasp. The large beads are carved with typical Chinese symbols and decoration. These beads are natural coral and there are blemishes that indicate this, the variations only adding to their unique beauty.
Long Art Deco pinchbeck watch chain with two pendants
Price: £65
This is a gorgeous long watch chain in a very usual star box link. Attached to the chain is a banded carnelian locket and a rock crystal cross. These are removable and are not original to the chain although they are from the same period.
Curb link pad lock bracelet, London 1977
Price: £85
This is a very classic heavy curb bracelet with the padlock clasp. It has a safety chain and the clasp is very firm and holds well. The padlock is fully hallmarked for London, 1977 with a makers mark of RGS. r
Rennie Mackintosh silver scarf ring with scarf included, c1990
Price: £45
This is a very elegant scarf ring that bears the designs of Rennie Mackintosh. It is hallmarked with the mark of Mackintosh's estate copyright. It i also marked 925. The black and white silk scarf is included so you are ready to go!
Silver Monogram Celtic Style Brooch Hallmarked 1878/1879
Price: £45
A Silver Celtic Style Brooch, the design with interlacing strands in a variety of surface textures, three of which seem to represent the letters 'S' 'S' 'E', hallmarked to the reverse with the stamps (from right to left) lion (fitness mark), anchor, (Birmingham Assay Office mark), 'd' (Date letter for Birmingham 1878 to 1879), 'EU' (Sponsors mark - the firm which submitted the item to the assay office - for Edwin Umfreville who traded at 119 Jermyn Street, St James's, London and offered items with bespoke monograms).
An advert for Edwin Umfreville appeared in 'The Bazaar, The Exchange and Mart - 19th April 1879' where one of his pieces is described. "Like all the “ E. U." jewellery that we have seen, the workmanship is first-class, and the design most tasteful."
Necklace with FA cup pendant, Alexander Clark Co. 1976
Price: £85
This is a very unusual necklace that has a large silver pendant in the form of what appears to be the FA cup, or the The Football Association Challenge Cup which is a big thing in Britain. It is very finely made with full English hallmarks for London, 1976, makers mark Alexander Clark Co.
Pendant and chain commemorating 25 years of service at Ford, London 1965
Price: £35
This is quite an interesting item. It is a pendant with three generations of Ford men depicted in profile and it says 25 years. This appears to be a company gift to an employee who worked at Ford for 25 years. Presumably this is what the women received. The men probably received a gold watch and a promotion! This is silver with full marks for London 1965 with a makers mark PP & P.
Stunning Art Deco silver bead work necklace
Price: £85
This is a very striking necklace comprising detailed silver beadwork. It has 8 hanging central strands ending in triangular stations. Most likely English silver although it is unmarked. Tests as 925 silver.
Victorian guilloche enamel and marcasite ring
Price: £60
This is a lovely and delicate ring comprising a panel of blue guilloche enamel surrounded with marcasite stones
Edwardian 3p piece bracelet 1919
Price: £50
This is a fun bracelet that is mounted with a 3p piece from 1919. The reason for this is that 1919 was the last year the 3p coin was made of silver so they wanted to commemorate this. There is a typical padlock clasp with full marks for London, 1979 with the maker LC. The padlock must have been replaced.
Japanese lacquer brooch c1940
Price: £25
This is a lovely brooch comprising a small lacquer panel depicting a lady in a landscape. It has an integrated pin.
Classic Scottish agate specimen brooch c1900
Price: £35
This is a very simple brooch that is all about the wonderful stone. This is a banded carnelian stone with the pureness and transparency that is so admired about these stones. It is highly polished and is in perfect condition.
Stunning turquoise and aventurine pendant necklace
Price: £75
This is a very beautiful and unusual necklace comprising both the pendant and chain. The pendant boasts two very large stones, one is turquoise one is aventurine. These are mounted in silver and silver gilt. The mount is set with floral accents and a butterfly flying over the teardrop stone. There is also a small garnet set below. The pendant is marked 925 and it is dated c1980, the chain has been added and is modern. The origin of the pendant is most likely Cyprus or that region.
Carved rock crystal bracelet c1970
Price: £55
This is a very unusual bracelet comprising stations set with carved rock crystal stones. These are carved in a leaf form joined in a silver setting. With a simple hook clasp. The design has a definitely Scandinavian feel to it and it is marked 925.
Rennie Mackintosh Arts and Crafts silver brooch
Price: £25
This is a lovely and delicate brooch comprising a typical Arts and Crafts motif with a fresh water pearl drop. It is marked with Scottish marks and could be trademarked for Rennie Mackintosh but it is not clear.
Large Victorian strand of malachite beads
Price: £125
This is a very striking necklace comprising a string of graduated very large malachite beads that are slightly varying in shape. They are mainly round but as they have been hand worked they are not exactly spherical which adds to the charm of these old beads. These have been recently restrung with a modern clasp.
Jerusalem malachite bracelet and brooch suite c1930
Price: £125
This is an excellent suite of a bracelet and brooch/pendant both comprising large malachite stones surrounded by faux pearls set into brass. Both have Mille grain work and go well together. They are marked. The bracelet is marked Hand Made Bezalel Jerusalem. The brooch is illegibly signed.
Victorian silver gilt filigree bracelet, Morocco
Price: £95
This is a stunning bracelet comprising four stations set with real stones amethyst, calcendony, tigers eye and garnet. These are surrounded with faux pearls. There are also small stations set with turquoise. It is marked 950 Silver. Probably Moroccan or North African.
Silver plate Perfume Bottle with attached Stopper and Chain, Burmese late C19th
Price: £45
This is a large repousse decorated scent bottle cast from silver plated white metal and depicting two confronting Burmese lions between the sacred pearl on the face with a key pattern border and stylised scrolling foliage to the sides, the neck with rope work and the stopper attached by chain which comes out to reveal the scent wand. The style of representation of the lions suggests the country of origin and the piece probably dates to the late nineteenth century. It is fitted to a very long necklace chain, probably later, creating a very wearable piece of fashion history which is both practical and decorative.
Long strand of coral beads c1920
Price: £125
This is a very long strand of matched natural coral beads. They are in varying shapes with the width matched to make them a perfect strand. These have been restrung with a later clasp.
Scottish agate modernist brooch c1970
Price: £25
This is a striking brooch comprising a large agate stone set into an abstract shape. It is marked 925.
Monumental Mille Fiore glass bead necklace c1970
Price: £175
This is a very large long necklace comprising different types of Mille Fiore Venetian glass beads. The largest beads measure 31 mm these are the joins for a double strand of round and tubular beads on the higher part with barrel shaped beads on the lower part of the necklace. For vintage jewellery collectors this is one in a million. And for fashionistas this would go with everything. :)
Art Deco Catalin Bakelite necklace, American c1930
Price: £125
This is a fabulous necklace comprising very large mustard coloured catalin beads in tubular, ovoid and globular shapes. Catalin is a form of plastic that is comtemporary with Bakelite. They are very similar as they are both composed of phenol and formeldehyde. The main difference is that Catalin was poured a poured liquid and Bakelite was moulded from a granular powder. Catalin is a brand name developed and trademarked in 1927 by the American Catalin Corporation of New York City, when the patent on Bakelite expired that year. It was used in a variety of applications, including costume jewellery, until the end of the second world war when it became too expensive, as every piece had to be individually cast and polished. Catalin jewellery is often incorrectly referred to as bakelite but has a distinction all of its own and this necklace is prime example of the fashion designs produced in the 1930s.
Very fine Moroccan engraved silver bracelet c1930
Price: £95
This a silver bracelet comprising very finely engraved stations that are connected as links. These have been set with silver gilt camels and elephants together wilh Arabic letters. It has the usual barrel type clasp that is very secure. There are illegible hallmarks.
Bead necklace with jade carnelian and silver beads c1990
Price: £75
This is a very beautiful necklace comprising graduating beads that are yellow jade, bi colour jade and carnelian. There is a long drop comprising four strands with beads suspended on it to give it a many layered effect. The origin of this necklace is uncertain. it is super quality and is most certainly made by a jewellery designer. Marked 925.
Egyptian Nefertiti and Talisman necklace on long chain c1970
Price: £95
This is a group of two large Egyptian pendants on a long box chain. The pendants are a plaque or talisman that has Hieroglyphs the other is the head of Nefertiti. These go perfectly together and look great on the long chain. Both pendants have Egyptian silver hallmarks.
Two watch fobs 1912 and 1923
Price: £35
This is a group of two gentleman's watch fobs. One says "Senior Rounder 1912" and the other "WLOC 1923". These would have been very meaningful to the person who had it on their watch chain. Unfortunately these details have been lost over time. Rounder was a game that resembled baseball so persumably that person played Rounder. These are very fine silver and are a piec ef ephemera that can be worn as a pendant.
Gentlemans waistcoat pin set with four watch fobs 1930s
Price: £150
This is a bespoke waiscoat pin with four hanging watch fobs. The owner was someone called R.S. Hollands as they all bear this name. They all have dates 1927, 1936 x 2 and 1934. There are different places on them and two have the designation of "Senior Rounder" and S.C.A.B.A. One also has the name Boosey and Co a company that manufactued brass instruments. Rounders is a game much like baseball. Mr Hollands definetly wanted to show these off. :) Thie is a piece of history that can be worn as a brooch, what could be better for a vintage collector?
Deaking & Francis silver bangle, Birmingham 1955
Price: £125
This is a stunning wide bangle bracelet by well known silversmiths Deaking & Francis. It is very finely engraved with typica leave and scrollwork. It is hinged and has a safety chain. It is marked for Birmingham 1955 and it also says WAX FILLED. This is to indicate that the piece is not solid and is weighted with wax.
Three Indian enamel bangles, mid 20th century
Price: £85
These bangles are an excellent example of Indian enamel work comprising three complementary pieces in blue, red, green and black. The largest of the three has an elephant motif and is marked '925' for silver. All are a good size and will fit most wrists and go over most women's hands.
Egyptian enamel and silver cuff bracelet c1930
Price: £125
This is a very striking bracelet that depicts a sacred goose, an animal consecrated to the god Amun. The base of the bracelet has a satin finish which gives a wonderful texture to the piece. It then is overlaid with thick silver plaques that have heavy enamel work in blue. With full Egyptian silver hallmarks, which indicate a minimum of 900 silver.
Fun silver mounted perspex earrings, early C21st
Price: £30
These are a pair of earrings comprising black perspex mounted with 925 silver decoration that depicts flames. They are marked 925. These are strange because they are not a true pair and are exactly the same. This means that one earring needs to go in back to front so that the decoration is not facing outwards. Not sure what the maker was thinking here but they are extremely light and comfortable to wear.
Islamic amulet pendant on chain 1970s
Price: £45
This is a very unusual pendant that is a hidden box. This might have carried a talisman or a religious text. It is decorated with very fine millegrain work and is set with a garnet. The chain is fine belcher style and is later than the pendant.
Indian Silver constructed Necklace, 1930s
Price: £75
This is an anklet bracelet (the size is too large for the wrist) that has been converted into a necklace with the addition of a chain. It comprises very detailed silver work with beadwork and hanging chain loops. There is a tag stamped 'DHANPAT' 'REGD' which appears to indicate that the design is patented in some way. The Indian firm Dhanpat Jewellery, which still trades today, is located in King Koti, Hyderabad and was founded in 1931. The style and composition of this piece suggests a prewar dating, but it could perhaps be later. It is formed from 800 grade silver presenting a finish which is slightly duller than 925 standard wares. There is certainly a hint of Eastern exotic here and the quality of the bracelet can be appreciated much more fully in its adapted form!
Art Deco Moss Agate buckle, 1930s
Price: £35
This is an unusual buckle comprising two large discs of Scottish moss agate formed to create a shield design with a central boss, each mounted in silver and with silver clasps. The clean and simple lines of the design suggest a dating to the Art Deco era and the buckle would have made an elegant addition to the contemporary wardrobe.
Brutalist style silver and opal Necklace, 1994
Price: £75
This is an unusual necklace, the silver hammered into a baroque brutalist design, the pendant with stylised rocks surrounding an inset large Australian boulder opal with an anchor like drop below, the chain in the form of narrow unevenly surfaced slabs joined with links. It is hallmarked for London 1994 with the maker's mark 'FJM'. The 'Brutalist' style appeared in architecture during the 1950s and 1960s with an emphasis on block forms and raw material construction but its influence spread to other art forms including ceramics and jewellery, as here. Little to charm the eye perhaps but the craggy and slightly abstract design has something of a contemporary appeal.
Art Deco banded carnelian station necklace c1930
Price: £55
This is a long line necklace comprising stations of flat oval banded carnelian ending with a large tearshop pendant. These are drilled and connected with brass fitiings. These are exceptionally good stones making this necklace beautiful and elegant in it simplicity.
Chinese cloisonné pendant silver Necklace set with a large lapis stone, c1950
Price: £95
This is a beautiful silver pendant that has a very unusual oval shape repousse basket weave design set with a large oval lapis stone. It is mounted with cloisonné elements which also occur on the bail. It has been paired with a light belcher chain that suits the pendant very well. This piece is unmarked but would be 900 or 925 grade silver.
Sautoir necklace and earrings in moss agate, crystal and aventurine
Price: £125
This is a necklace and earrings that comprises an upcycled moss agate beads combined with new rock crystal, calcendony and aventurine beads. The beads and drops are carved into hearts. This is a sautoir design where the central stone is a carved moss agate rosette. The earrings are heart shapes. All findings are 925 silver.
Picture jasper mosaic panel necklace c1970
Price: £25
This is a striking Art Deco style necklace comprising a large square picture jasper pendant that is set as a mosaic into black onyx and a white stone. It is strung together with jade and onyx beads. This has been restrung, clasp is silver.
Silver cuff bracelet set with Scottish banded carnelian stone, Birmingham 1975
Price: £85
This is a very striking bracelet set with a very large Scottish.banded canelian stone. The setting is a very simple and elegant three band design. Bears full silver marks for Birmingham 1975. The makers mark is AP.
Pair of silver fobs adapted as earrings, Birmingham 1904 & 1905
Price: £75
This is a wonderful way to upcycle two watchain fobs. These fobs were earned by the same person for ;perfect attendance by the Kent Education Commitee. Although they are undated the silver marks indicate the years 1904 and 1905. These have very fine quality siliver work. It bears the coat of arms for the KEC. These have been set on silver earring hooks.
Pair of shield or arrowhead shaped amber and silver earrings
Price: £30
These are a very fine example of worked amber which has been highly polished to mesh seamlessly with the silver work. The amber is very vivid with many inclusions. Marked 925.
Coral bead torque bracelet c1970
Price: £15
This is a fun bracelet comprising three strands of coral beads ending in two large beads to create a dramatic effect. The coral looks to be natural in colour however there is a good chance it is enhanced.
Italian silver Cuff Bangle with chainmail decoration, modern
Price: £30
An Italian silver cuff bangle, heavily cast with a chain mail design, the interior marked 925, modern
Tigers Eye long necklace 1970s
Price: £25
This is a necklace comprising large round and octahedron shaped beads, with matching clasp
Victorian silver bracelet set with garnets 1900
Price: £35
This is a lovely and delicate bracelet comprising intricate silver mesh set with garnet stones and silver spheres. The clasp is a buckle that is very typical of this period.
Two long infinity strands of cultured pearls
Price: £45
This is a stunning pair of two 160 cm strands of cultured pears that have been dyed soft metallic tones of green, grey, peach, pink and gold. This makes quite a statement when worn together as multiple strands.
Art Deco Burmese dragon head Necklace, 1920s
Price: £75
This is a stunning and large necklace comprising a bold dragon head pendant formed from moulded brass with filigree work mounted with enamel to simulate stones. It comes attached to the original brass link necklace. This is a real show stopper!
Silver rose ring, 20th century
Price: £35
This is a very elegant ring that comprises very detailed depictions of a rose with foliage. There also seems to be two little daggers on the edges. Not sure what those are for, maybe they are a type of flower that looks dagger like.. :) Marked 925
Silver Snake bangle, 20th century
Price: £25
This is a very elegant silver bangle in a typical Egyptian snake motif design with hallmarks.
Egyptian Eye of Horus braclet c20th
Price: £25
This is a cool bracelet that features a silver Eye of Horus flanked by Ankh symbols. These are put together on a double faux leather cord. With Egyptian hallmarkes
1940s Dutch coin braclet
Price: £35
This is a fun bracelet comprising 9 10 cent coins all bearing the Queen Wilhelmina and dated between 1937 and 1941. The coins are silver and the 1941 coins were the last silver 10 cent coins that were produced. Post 1941 the Germans produced Zinc versions. The findings on this bracelet do not appear to be sliver but silvered metal. Has a hook fastening and good security chain.
Victorian facetted cherry amber beads with intergrated clasp c1900
Price: £150
This is a set of rare amber beads in all graduated and matched in colour. It has a screw clasp that is also a bead. These beads have a glowing quality that is only present in the highest quality amber.
Victorian facetted amber bead necklace c1900
Price: £125
This is a lovely graduated honey coloured amber bead necklace. They are beautifully colour matched and are of excellent quality.
Outstanding opera length Victorian amber beads c1900
Price: £175
This is a beautiful long necklace comprising graduated facetted cognac colour amber beads with a barrel clasp.
Victorian large 9ct gold brooch set with amber c1900
Price: £200
This is a very rare brooch comprising a very large oval piece of egg yolk amber with inclusions that show fossilised organisms. This is set in a typical Victorian 9ct gold setting. It is unmarked.
Massive natural coral beads
Price: £175
This is an unbelievable bit of set of graduated coral beads that are natural in both colour and shape. They are ready to be strung to your taste, either as a choker style like Iris Apfel or possibly to mix it with other beads. This size of bead does not come up often and they are only getting more rare.
Edwardian Scottish bloodstone bar brooch c1910
Price: £30
This is a very striking brooch that comprises a silver bar with two square domed Scottish bloodstone. This would have been used as part of a Scottish woman's traditional clothing to hold their cloak in place. Still lovely today! Marked Sterling.
Chinese agate carving with onyx beads, 20th century
Price: £35
This necklace is a lovely design with a large carved banded agate carving. It is paired with onyx beads and agate beads. It is elegant and undestated due to the monochrome palette but definitely makes a statement.
Edwardian silver fleur-de-lis collar necklace circa 1910
Price: £85
The ‘fleur-de-lis’, a stylised form of lily symbolising fertility and purity, has been used as decorative motif for centuries and is particularly associated with the French royal family. It is more normally found as a single pendant necklace but the Victorians produced various collar necklaces in silver with the motif. These tend to be slightly heavier in construction than the example here suggesting a slightly later dating probably to the Edwardian era and most likely English manufacture. The finely cast silver fleur-de-lis leaves are joined by links and terminate in a spring ring closure presenting a delicate accessory, perhaps for a young lady.
Please note that the necklace is not marked for silver and has not been tested.
Large silver fancy link Bracelet, modern
Price: £50
This is an unusual variation on the chainmail bracelet form where a triple series of interlocking oval links are combined with small rolled wire beads, quite a demand on the silversmith’s skills. The ends terminate in a ball and clasp fastening and the clasp is marked ‘925’ with a double oval. The style suggests a late twentieth century dating with perhaps English craftsmanship.
Edwardian rolled gold and white agate brooch, c1910
Price: £45
An attractive brooch combining an oval piece of cloudy white agate with red inclusions mounted in a rolled gold rope twist frame with stylised floral petals decorated in an abstract design. The reverse has a bar clasp and is fitted with a guard chain implying that the wearer was intended to take some care of this elegant accessory. The combination of the milky white stone with its coloured detail and the gold coloured surround is particularly appealing and the design of the mount suggests a dating to the early 1900s.
Vintage Chinese Cloisonne Bead Necklace, mid C20th
Price: £55
Cloisonne enamelling, a technique in which glass derived enamels are set on a metal ground and separated with fine wire divisions (the ‘cloisons’), is normally associated with solid forms such as vases and dishes but is employed here to create a series of thirty six similarly sized multicoloured beads in which irregularly shaped green, pink and red panels are separated by fine gold wire and laid on a gilt metal ground. These are linked with knotted cord and joined at the end by a gilt metal clasp and hook with embossed decoration of birds on a branch. The skill of the craftsmanship is obvious and produces a piece of decorative opulence. The work is Chinese and similar pieces are dated to the 1960s which seems reasonable here.
Silver Medal or Watch Fob dated 1923, B.P.C.G.S.
Price: £35
A small piece of history here which will need some unravelling. Suspended on a piece of blue ribbon from a silver bar pin marked ‘1923’ is an oval silver medal or watch fob, decorated to the front with two bands of laurel leaves, geometric shapes in an art deco style and a central gilt coloured shield with the engraved letters B.P.C.G.S. The reverse is plain with the engraved wording ‘SENIOR 1ST’ ‘APPARATUS’ ‘LMILES’ and hall marks for 1923 with the maker’s mark ‘JD&CO’, standing for Joseph Daffern & Co, silversmiths at Hatton Garden from 1908 to 1931 and producers of commemorative medals and watch fobs. ‘Apparatus’ is the Latin word used in English to denote equipment or organisation but may have had a special meaning for whatever body is indicated by the acronym on the front. We may never know but L MILES was clearly a successful and deserving recipient!
Russian Enamel Brooch, probably Rostov Finift, mid C20th
Price: £20
This delicate brooch with its elaborate filigree work has a circular painted enamel plaque painted in greens, pinks, light brown and yellow with scrolling lotus flowers and surrounded by fine silver decoration, with scrolling rope twist strands and slender milled ribbons inset with beads. The style and composition, combining enamel and silver work, is typical of the Russian maker ‘Rostov Finift’ (‘finift’ comes from the Greek ‘fingitis’ which means ‘gleaming’) many of whose pieces can be found on the market today. The art of painting on enamel was first developed in Rostov Veliky (125 miles northwest of Moscow) in the 18th century and continued thereafter with pieces of jewellery, made by Rostov Finift and in which enamels are surrounded by elaborate filigree work, appearing in quantity after the second World War. The pieces are not signed and attribution is mainly speculative but this brooch has much in common with other pieces believed to have been made by the same factory.
Victorian Rolled Gold Necklace with Pendants, late C19th
Price: £45
This is an interesting necklace made from rolled gold (in which a thin layer of gold is applied to a baser metal) and comprising a linked chain from which are suspended a facetted rose de france amethyst bead in the shape of a heart, a ‘lucky bean’, a framed portrait medallion and a miniature whistle (that works!). The choice of the pendant ‘charms’ is not wholly clear. While the heart has an obvious meaning and the bean shape denotes good fortune (during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, beans washed up on the seashore which then went on to germinate were regarded as infused with good luck), both of which might well been associated with the young lady whose portrait photo can be seen, the significance of the whistle is not certain and was perhaps only known to the wearer. A piece of evocative nostalgia then for collectors of Victorian decorative jewellery.
Green Chalcedony silver mounted brooch with marcasite stones, 1940s
Price: £45
This is a silver mounted brooch, the central oval green chalcedony or chrysoprase stone bordered with an elaborate rounded hexagonal frame, the stylised flowers with scrolling foliage and a milled border, all set with marcasite stones, a bar clasp to the reverse and an engraved mark ‘925’ for silver. Chrysoprase is a variety of chalcedony distinguished by its shades of green and has been used for jewellery since antiquity. Maracsite, a brittle, metallic, semi-precious stone is also often used in jewellery and sometimes known as ‘white iron pyrite’ or more colloquially ‘fool's gold’. Its use here, combined with the elaborate design of the mount, suggests a dating to the 1940s
Diamond cut millegrain silver bracelet, 20th century
Price: £45
This is a very intricately designed bracelet comprising numerous diamond cut spheres that have been individually connected. This is most likely Italian. It is marked 925.
Grey lace agate and calcendony suite of necklace and earrings
Price: £85
This is a lovely contructed necklace and earrings comprising Chinese carved grey lace agate stones combined with white calcedony beads. The earrings are a facetted teadrop shape that are set into delicate hooks with a floral motif.
Two jade carvings mounted as a necklace
Price: £125
This is a very striking necklace comprising two large jade carvings that have been joined together on a very thick herringbone chain. The carvings are 20th century but they have the look of a more archaic style. This is a very interesting piece that is totally unique. It is all silver.
Nefertiti suite of pendant necklace and earrings, 20th century
Price: £75
This is a wonderful set of matching earrings and a necklace all depicting the familiar profile face of Nefertiti. They are in solid silver, not hollow, and each bear very tiny Egyptian hallmarks, one of which is visible in the last image.
Long lapis lazuli bead necklace c1980
Price: £30
This is very elegant necklace that features different shaped stone beads of Lapis Lazuli. These beads are very high quality with excellent colour. They are flat pebble shaped, together with square and round beads. They are connected by gold fittings with a toggle clasp.
Islamic mother of pearl pendant and earrings c1950
Price: £18
This is a pair of earrings and pendant that have been "married" as they look great together. They both are comprising mother of pearl with typical Islamic designs. The paintwork is in quite good condition considering the age.
Japanese silver souvenir brooch c1950
Price: £18
This is a fun brooch that depicts a Japanese genre scene. It is repousse silver and is unmarked.
Egyptian revival Tutankhamun head silver Cuff Bracelet, 1940s
Price: £75
The iconography here needs little introduction. This elegant silver cuff bracelet displays recurring portrait heads of Tutankhamun between two plain bands at each edge. The piece carries Egyptian silver hall marks which give some indication of its date. The central character, indicating silver, is a lotus flower apparently used from the 1940s. To the left of it can be seen a loop and two dots which is the date mark for 1942 to 1943 and to the right is a mark indicating the purity of the silver, possibly reading 800 thousandths. (see https://www.silvercollection.it /EGYPTSILVER HALLMARKS). This classic piece of Egyptian revival work from the 1940s is timeless and an elegant accessory for the 2020s!
Egyptian silver cuff bangle with portait plaques of Pharoahs
Price: £85
This is a very detailed bangle that comprises many placques that depict Egyptian rulers Nefertiti, Ramses III and Tutankhamun. These are interspersed with Egyptian lotus flower icons. Bears Egyptian silver marks.
Burmese Jade sautoir Necklace, C20th
Price: £45
This is a very unusual 'sautoir' necklace (the term denotes its length) comprising jade facetted roundel beads that end in two clusters, a piece which you can tie around the neck in different ways depending on your outfit and mood. The beads are different types of celadon jade interspaced with silver beads, the clusters ending in two silver beads with millegrain terminals. A flexible addition to the wardrobe in more than one sense!
Vintage Indian silver pendant Necklace, 20th century
Price: £85
This is an assembled necklace with both elements probably of Indian workmanship. The circular slide pendant has elaborate concentric bands, chain, cord and beadwork within a repeating stamped roundel border and terminating in a ‘V’ device. The reverse is plain with the stamped mark ‘925’. Pieces with similar designs also have the word ‘INDIA’ which most likely indicates the provenance here. The herringbone chain which has been matched with the pendant is clearly marked ‘INDIA’ with other marks in addition, probably those of the maker. The two combine to produce a bold piece of statement jewellery with timeless appeal.
Indian silver onyx and carnelian pendant necklace/brooch, 2006
Price: £125
This is a very striking necklace comprising a large pendant with onyx and carnelian cabachons. Both the pendant and necklace are marked with a Birmingham import mark for 2006 together with '925' and 'DK'. The mark 'DK' is for the 'sponsor' or importer. The necklace and pendant are clearly meant to be worn together as they bear the same mark. There is also a brooch mechanism so that the piece can also be worn this way if desired.
Islamic Silver Necklace with Niello work plaques, c1930
Price: £75
This is an interesting silver necklace, probably made in Turkey in the mid twentieth century. Four strands of wheat chain join seven circular plaques and terminate in a push pin clasp. The faces of the plaques are decorated with fleur-de-lis and scrolling foliage in a clover leaf format on a black ground and the square reverses are all stamped ‘925’. Similar decoration appears on the clasp.
The technique used is that of ‘niello’ work. (The word derives either from the classical Latin word ‘nigellum’ or the later mediaeval words ‘nigello’ or ‘neelo’.) Niello is a black mixture, usually of sulphur, copper, silver, and lead and used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal, especially silver. Added as a paste, it hardens to a black colour after firing and is then polished. Here it is the ground that formed from niello while the design shows though in silver, a less common version.
There is much skill in the craftsmanship here and the result is a piece of classic and timeless simplicity.
Very fine Indian silver repousse plaque Necklace, c1970
Price: £85
This is a necklace comprising a large pendant of elongated hexagonal shape with a traditional Indian repousse floral design. It has a double bale each with a rosette and is marked '925'. It is combined with a long snake chain which is later.
Stunning Berber North African necklace c1950
Price: £65
This a very striking necklace comprising seven stations in a typical Berber design with turquoise and coral mosaic inlay. These are connected with turquoise and coral beads. It is unmarked but is silver probably 900 grade. The clasp has been added later.
Large amber cabochon cuff Bracelet, c1970
Price: £95
This is a lovely cuff bracelet with a delicate floral design. The star of the show is the large Baltic amber cabachon; it is extremely good quality as indicated by its inner glow. Marked '925', this elegant piece is most likely from Denmark or one of the Baltic states.