Constructed necklace with jade, egg yolk amber and cherry amber, C20th
Price: £250
This necklace is a wonderful ensemble comprising cherry and egg yolk amber beads together with jade beads, terminating in a very large carved jade plaque which is a very fine example of Chinese carving, with an allegorical motif of a dragon's mouth around a smaller dragon, and formed from golden spinach jade, an unusual colour.
Danish silver brooch, Niels Erik From, marked, c1960
Price: £45
This is a wonderful quality silver brooch made by Danish silversmiths Niels Erik From. It is in a characteristic Danish wreath design typical of the modernist designs developed by the firm in the 1970s. Established in 1931, the company took its name from its founder Niels Erik From (1908-1982) and initially concentrated on pieces in the style of the Danish Arts and crafts movement, later adapting to the changing fashions of the time. Niels Erik From's son joined with his father in the 1960s and continued the success of the business, running it himself for a few years after his Father's death but finally closing down in the late 1980s. The firm's designs remain highly collectible and this brooch is an excellent example of their later work. It marked ' Sterling' 'Denmark' 'N.E.From' '925 S'.
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.
1950s brooch sun design
Price: £10
This is a lovely brooch set with gold and clear stones in sun design
1950s aurora borealis brooch
Price: £15
This is a lovely brooch set with aurora borealis and faux opal glass stones
Scottish agate specimen bracelet c1970
Price: £95
This is rather interesting as it is a quite large bracelet comprising numerous stations of carved agate stones. It showcases all colours and types of agate from banded agate to chalcedony and makes a real statement. This bracelet definitely has star power. It is strung on elastic, as it typical for these types of bracelets, so it is very easy to get on and off and it is super sturdy in addition.
Art Deco necklace with French Jet and paste stations
Price: £25
This is a beautiful and un unusual long necklace comprising stations of long French Jet bugle beads and paste spheres. It also features some interesting cracked crystal effect glass beads and clear glass beads.
Art Nouveau Fairy earrings c1930
Price: £25
These are a pair of earrings comprising a pink paste stone with a suspended Mucha style fairy figure ending in a long faux pearl. These are post and butterfly earrings that are quite light and easy to wear.
Outstanding brown swirl Bakelite Necklace with faux cameo, French 1920s
Price: £45
This is a very rare necklace comprising matched brown swirl squared tubular Bakelite stations alternating with stations of facetted French jet glass beads all linked by white metal rings with a central oval shield shape studded openwork pendant mounted with a celluloid cameo of a neoclassical style helmeted warrior, possibly Paris, and with a diamond shape drop. This piece combines the angular simplicity of the Art Deco style, in particular the squared tubular bars, with classicising elements, most obviously the faux cameo portrait head. The juxtaposition is most unusual producing a striking decorative accessory.
Silver metal Perfume Bottle Necklace, probably Indian early C20th
Price: £55
A silver metal perfume bottle and attached stopper, the body spherical with a short cylindrical neck, the whole elaborately cast with bead work below and repeating fleur de lis above underneath repeating raised bosses, the neck with rope twist work and the stopper with beading. The stopper is attached by a short chain and the bottle itself has two lugs which attach it to the necklace chain. Many of the motifs here suggest Indian work, probably from the 1920s and made for the local market.
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.
2 Sarah Coventry Brooches
Price: £30
This is a lot 2 brooches by jewellery designer Sarah Coventry, both signed
Art Deco style Antelope brooch 1940s
Price: £20
This a lovely brooch showing an Art Deco style stag set with diamantes, gold tone
Etruscan style garnet cross earrings c1910
Price: £65
These are a lovely and delicate pair of earrings comprising square cut stones surrounding a large cabachon. They are marked illegibly. Most likely Italian in origin.
Taxco bracelet with Aztec mask motif, 1940s
Price: £65
This is very unusual bracelet comprising stations of heavy silver masks connected with five silver rods. It is marked 'Made in Mexico' and 'Silver' and would have been made for export to the USA.
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 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.
Art Deco Scottish moss agate ring
Price: £35
This is a very striking ring that is mounted with a very unusual Scottish agate stone that has both red and green inclusions. Mounted in an architectural Art Deco setting. Marked 925
Stunning opera length string of rock crystal beads
Price: £35
This is a very long strand of approximately 95 graduating facetted rock crystal beads that have been recently restrung using pink cord. This necklace is difficult to date but judging form the type of beads it is most likely early 20th century or could be Victorian.
Butler & Wilson massive dragon brooch
Price: £125
This is a gorgeous brooch in gold tone with gold and clear diamante stones, red glass eyes, signed
Set of 6 Peking glass shirt studs in fitted box
Price: £45
This is an unusual set of studs comprising Peking glass with brass fittings in fitted box.
Perfume Bottle Brooch, probably French mid C20th
Price: £55
A perfume bottle brooch, the bottle and stopper suspended from a white metal clasp with a ‘pull’ fastening pin and beading at the edge, the glass heart shape body encased in silver metal filigree work, the face with a beaded border surrounding blue metal trellis work with studded rosettes, the reverse with a similar border surrounding a clear glass panel, the white metal cover with a red bead at the top and similarly decorated with a glass wand attached and a screw fitting matching the top of the bottle. There are no ready parallels for the decoration here but the work is most likely continental and probably French with a dating to the mid twentieth century.
Two lacquer bird brooches 1980s
Price: £15
This is a fun set of two brooches in an unusual lacquer design.
Mexican Silver Bracelet with Aztec Designs, Taxco, 1950s
Price: £65
This is a fine example of a ‘classic’ bracelet design produced by the Mexican silversmiths working at Taxco, the artistic centre of Mexican silver production. The bracelet comprises four curved rectangles of silver joined with hinges and terminating in a square push clap. When assembled the pieces form a circular bracelet which sits snugly on the wrist. Each piece has an engraved design employing Aztec motifs, so often a source for decoration on Taxco jewellery, key pattern between a triangular and a stylised floral motif on a ground etched to imitate stone. The square clasp is stamped at the back with a diamond tablet with the characters ‘GURDO925’‘FP’ and an eagle mark 4. Dating is most likely to the 1950s. FP is the Taxco silversmith who would have been active in the 1940s and 50s based on this eagle mark.
1001 Arabian Nights Brooch c1930
Price: £20
This is a fun brooch that depicts a rather evil looking sorcerer. He has glass eyes and there is a large glass stone in his turban. The brooch is made from brass and would have had colourful enamel painting in its time. It also appears that originally there might have been drops from the ears.
Victorian Grand Tour Wedding Cake glass necklace
Price: £125
These glass beads are very unusual due to their age and condition. It is a perfectly graduated set of 25 beads with original brass findings. These beads are gold in colour decorated with detailed floral and scroll work. The stations are interspersed with amber glass spacer beads.
Art Deco bee motif necklace 1930s
Price: £125
This is a very unusual and beautiful necklace comprising three stations with three dimensional bees interspersed with blue glass cabacons. It is set into gilt metal and has some enamel work on the flowers. It appears to Czech in origin based on the mounts and type of necklace.
Incredible Hobe suite of Earrings and a Brooch, 1950s
Price: £300
This is an extremely rare set of portrait miniatures set into earrings and a brooch by the well known makers of costume jewellery, Hobe Cie. The miniatures are surrounded by diamantes and faux pearls, the portraits themselves being prints with hand colouring. All three pieces are signed, as illustrated.
Hobe was founded in 1887 by the French goldsmith Jacques Hobe as makers of fine jewellery. The costume jewellery division, Hobe Cie, was added 40 years later by his son, William Hobe, who brought the firm to America in 1927 and was commissioned by Flo Ziegfeld to design and manufacture jewellery for his Ziegfeld Follies costumes. By repute this is the origin of the expression costume jewellery. Production continued from the 1930s to the 1990s and the form of mark here suggests a more later dating within their range.
Egyptian Revival souvenir bracelet c1900
Price: £95
This is very beautiful bracelet comprising very detailed cast brass station depicting Egyptian iconography. This is most likely from the Paris Worlds Fair in 1900 that showcased Egyptian modernity, antiquities, and culture. There are six stations with a wonderful Tutankhamun charm at the closure.
Indian silver repousse cuff bracelet, c1920
Price: £85
This is a beautiful cuff bracelet which has very fine repousse work with floral designs and millegrain patterning. The large central panel has two bands of delicately rendered stylised scrolling foliage on a textured ground edged with a border of repeating stylised shells and detailed beading work and is flanked by two similar smaller panels at the sides. The piece is unmarked but is most likely '925' grade as was the tradition with Indian silver at this time.
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
Victorian Silver Buckle set with Paste Stones, German circa 1900
Price: £85
This is a striking silver buckle of rectangular form with two bands of brilliant paste stones surrounding four stylised flower head paste stone clusters, the reverse plain and marked 900 which implies manufacture in Germany where the standard for silver was a minimum of 800 parts to 1000 with 900 parts to 1000 as one of the alternatives (as opposed to the more usually found 925). There is in addition a double mark with a star and a wheel which may well be the maker's mark, but this is hard to identify.
The sparkling stones and high quality mounting (there is a considerable weight of silver in this piece) would have made this buckle a notable addition to the Victorian ladies' wardrobe and it could equally well catch the eye today.
Mexican silver bracelet set with turquoise plaques, c1990
Price: £75
This is a very striking hinge bangle bracelet set with turquoise (perhaps sodalite) plaques. It has an integrated clasp where you press down on the lower part to release. It is marked 'Mexico 925'.
Suite of Art Deco banded carnelian necklace and earrings c1920
Price: £95
This is a very unusual suite comprising matched beautiful Scottish banded agate beads. The earrings are very Art Deco with a long chain drop. Both have brass findings.
Group of 4 large brooches 1950s
Price: £25
This is a great lot of four brooches all set with large glass stones
Outstanding Pair of Georgian silver and paste buckles
Price: £85
This is a wonderful pair of matched silver buckles set with beautiful paste stones in perfect condition
Taxco Noahs Ark Earrings c1980
Price: £45
This is a pair of earrings that are very finely modelled. They depict Noah's Ark showing many of the animals. There are elephants, giraffes and lions on the deck with other animals looking out the portholes. There are even dolphins in the water! Although this theme can be found elsewhere in jewellery, these are a masterclass in design that only the Taxco silversmiths can deliver. They are both marked 'MEXICO' '925' and date to the 1980s.
Floating Flower jade pendant on bead necklace
Price: £175
This is a beautiful constructed necklace comprising a large very detailed Floating Flower jade carving of a waterfall with mountains and trees. There is also a temple and a boat with two figures. The reverse also has a very detailed of a landscape. This is a wonderful example of Chinese carving. It is strung together with green and white jade beads ending in a silver gilt Chinese filigree clasp. The bale is 9K gold.
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
Stunning suite of necklace and bracelet by Hobe 1950s,
Price: £350
This is a beautiful set of necklace and earrings be Hobe, one of the most collected makers around. It comprised a large statement necklace with three strands of large glass bead stations in amber and black glass with gold tone fittings. One of the most striking parts of both the necklace and bracelet is the corresponding clasp on each that is a large black stone surrounded by the amber glass stones that perfectly complement the piece. This also means that it can be work with hair up or hair that is in a shorter style. The bracelet has the same elements as the necklace. Both are marked Hobe. It is worth noting that these are in pristine condition which makes them all the more rare. All the findings are original.
Hobe was founded in 1887 by the French goldsmith Jacques Hobe as makers of fine jewellery. The costume jewellery division, Hobe Cie, was added 40 years later by his son, William Hobe, who brought the firm to America in 1927 and was commissioned by Flo Ziegfeld to design and manufacture jewellery for his Ziegfeld Follies costumes. By repute this is the origin of the expression costume jewellery. Production continued from the 1930s to the 1990s and the form of mark here suggests a more later dating within their range.
Lovely large brooch by Thomas L Mott c1940
Price: £25
This is a large brooch with a very detailed enameled plaque depicting a Louis XV style scene of lovers in a landscape. It is signed on reverse TLM for Thomas L Mott Company, famous for their range of charm brooches made from the 1920s to the 1940s.
Three strand pearl necklace with mother of pearl plaque, c2000
Price: £75
This is a real show stopper of a necklace. It comprises three strands of lustrous fresh water cultured pearls that end in a feature clasp that is a carved mother of pearl plaque of a young lady. This is an modern interpretation of a 19th century design that would not have been attainable for most people. Thanks to cultured pearls these pieces are now affordable. This is an excellent example due to the quality of the pearls and the carving.
Vintage Moroccan statement brooch
Price: £20
This is a very striking brooch in a Moroccan design set with glass stones
Vintage Moroccan statement brooch
Price: £45
This is a very striking brooch in a Moroccan design set with glass stones
Art Deco lapis and marcasite earrings c1930
Price: £65
These are a pair of pure Art Deco earrings. They are very architectural like a skyscraper. They feature silver set with marcasite and large lapis stones. They are marked A935.
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.
Victorian rolled gold and black and white agate Brooch, English c1920
Price: £50
An attractive brooch in which an agate stone of rounded rectangular octagonal form, the grey surface with clearly defined striations in grisaille and white, is framed by an elaborate rolled gold mount with a rococo style border, scrolling milled cord joining two stylised leaf shape panels at each end with round balls in gold tones in between, the bottom with a gold chain loop and a hanging drop and the reverse with a bar clasp. As with the other rolled gold and agate brooch in this sale, the design of the mount suggests the 1920s
Victorian carved celluloid cross c1900
Price: £45
This is a very unusual pendant comprising a very intricate carving in celluloid plastic. This type of plastic was also called Ivorine as it was meant to simulate ivory. This was most likely cast and then hand finished. It has its original loop.
Danish silver floral brooch, Max Standager c1960
Price: £45
This is a large brooch in a typical modernist floral design by Max Standager, a silversmith who worked in Copenhagen from 1961 to 1985 and was well known for his organic form designs. It is marked 'Sterling' '925' 'Denmark M.S'.
Heavy silver curb collar necklace, Mexico 1970s
Price: £125
This is a striking necklace comprising a large curb chain connected to two bead work chains to create this statement look. It is unmarked but is quite typical Mexican silver work.
DeNicola brooch and earrings 1950s
Price: £15
This is a striking set of brooch with matching earrings by DeNicola the New York jewellery designer that was well known in the 1950s and it quite collectible today. Gunmetal colour set with paste stones and faux onyx central stones. Earrings have strong clips and are easy to wear.
String of facetted amethyst and crystal beads 1930s
Price: £95
This is a lovely delicate necklace comprising graduated facetted amethyst beads interspersed with crystal roundels
Art Deco opaline glass necklace 1930s
Price: £125
This is a stunning strand of large tear drop opaline glass beads strung with conical silver beads. Opaline glass has been around since the 19th century and can be seen in jewellery from this time. These beads are of exceptional quality and appear to glow in both low light and daylight. There are flashes of pink and yellow that make these beads dance like they are lit from within. They are better quality than most authentic opals of this type. Has been fitted with a modern extender.
Pair of Italian faux tortoiseshell earrings, 1980s
Price: £20
This is a wonderful pair of earrings that have large fan shaped faux tortoiseshell drops and metal clips that are marked BREV PAT (see image). BREV., which stands for "Brevetto." This is the Italian term for license, and the stamp signifies that the particular design or piece has been licensed or patented. These earrings are VERY light and the clips are brilliant making these very easy and pleasant to wear.
Bakelite Ivorine Mourning Brooch, British c1930
Price: £25
This is a brooch formed from bakelite intended to mimic ivory with its off white colouring. It shows a hand holding a rose and the slightly antique style reflects the fact that this was originally a Victorian design, intended to be a mourning brooch, the material of which would have been ivory (see image 4 for examples in the British Museum). Developed in New York in 1907 and patented two years later bakelite was the first plastic made from synthetic components. By the 1920s it became a popular material for jewellery and pieces were produced for some years thereafter. Dating here is probably to the 1930s or 1940s.
Massive natural coral beads
Price: £150
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.
Arts and Crafts bar brooch with turquoise and coque de perle c1910
Price: £75
This is a very simple and elegant brooch typical of the Arts and Crafts style. It is set with a turquoise cabochon that is flanked by two coque de perle stones and is unmarked.
Art Deco Scottish agate necklace, 1920s
Price: £125
This is a very unusual necklace comprising carved stations of different Scottish agate stones, the stones are slightly graduated and are connected by gilt brass spring like connectors and fitted with the original screw clasp.
Striking Art Deco brooch
Price: £25
This is a very vivid brooch in a Regency design, featuring a faux onyx stone and faux pearl drops
Adrian Mann Brooch 1970s
Price: £25
This is a very striking brooch by designer Adrian Mann in patinaed brass, signed
Art Deco lizard silver and enamel brooch c1940
Price: £95
This is a striking large brooch that is in the shape of a crawling lizard. It is encrusted with marcasite stones and has a black enamel back. The eyes are rubies. It is marked 925.
Taxco butterfly brooch with abalone, makers mark EL 1960s
Price: £55
This is a large brooch in silver with inset abalone pieces, marked Heche en Mexico EL. It is not clear who the maker is. It could be Enrique Ledesma but he did not tend to sign his pieces EL.
Scottish Agate beads with purple banding c1920
Price: £125
This is a constructed necklace comprising large Art Deco Scottish Agate beads in the very rare purple colour. These have been strung with modern amethyst and calcedony bead stations. Has a modern silver clasp. This necklace is very long and can be very easily wound around for a double strand.
Green Leather Jewellery Box with Bramah Lock, early C20th
Price: £55
This is a fine quality jewellery box covered in green leather with a graining effect. The rectangular base is fitted with a shallow flush lid and attached by brass lever hinges. The front of the base has a lock marked ‘Bramah’ (lacking its original key) and the lid a leather strap handle with fine stitching. Inside are two removable trays, the top one with compartments for jewellery, and the bottom of the box is divided into two compartments. The linings of the box and trays are in green leather and velvet with moiré silk to the inside of the lid. As with the previous lot, there are many features here of a ‘deluxe’ item, in particular the ‘Bramah’ lock, known for its high security, and the lever hinges. This box perhaps dates to a little later than the previous one, more to the 1930s but is no less of a ‘luxury’ item which equally well retains its functionality today.
Victorian Indian paste pendant
Price: £50
This is a very large pendant that was made in India for European taste. It comprises numerous paste stones surrounding a very large paste pear shaped stone, set in brass. The design is typical of the Victorian era with scroll work and fleur-de-lis. With rock crystal bead drops, the chain not included.
Taxco bracelet with abalone panels c1950
Price: £85
This is an older Taxco bracelet comprising joined silver panels set with abalone stones. The stones are shaped into ovals or squares designed as Aztec masks. It is marked Hecho en Mexico, Taxco. It is not marked but is 950 silver and dates to the mid C20th.
Victorian Scottish agate brooch
Price: £65
This is a lovely brooch in excellent condition comprising a large central stone surrounded by smaller round stones, in silver gilt
Outstanding Victorian Scottish agate opera length necklace
Price: £1500
This is a very rare constructed necklace comprising a long strand of 87 graduated Scottish banded agate beads with a silver fob clasp. The beads are all different which adds to the beauty of the necklace. Can be wrapped around the neck twice or three times with an extender. This necklace has it all!
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?
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.
Charming small amber pendant brooch set as an owl c2000
Price: £15
This is a very sweet small pendant brooch that is shaped like an owl with an amber belly. With full hallmarks and bail for pendant.
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.
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.
Art Nouveau style dragonfly brooch with articulated wings, c1950
Price: £145
This is a very large brooch in a dragonfly design. It is very finely set with marcasites and amethysts with garnets for the eyes. The body and wings feature very fine milgrain work and the wings are articulated allowing them to move. It is marked to the reverse '925'.
Massive banded carnelian cuff bracelet
Price: £450
This is an absolute bobby dazzler of a bracelet comprising five large banded carnelian stones mounted on a sterling silver frame. The stones are very large and have the perfect almost geometric shapes in them. Marked 925.
Mottled blue Bakelite buckle in the shape of an airplane, American 1930s
Price: £45
Another incredible buckle in mottled blue Bakelite in the shape of an airplane that spreads open at the wings, with impressed carved circle decoration on the wings and tail and metal fitments to the reverse for securing the belt and fastening the buckle. The airplane is one of the classic decorative objects of the Art Deco period, featuring prominently both in the round, often as a desk ornament, and in graphic design. But buckles in the form are unusual and we are fortunate to be able to include two examples in this auction!
Brooch with coque de perle and garnet cabachons, Austria c1890
Price: £75
This is a beautiful small brooch in a fleur de lis design set with coque de perle and garnet stones. It is marked Austria and although there is no silver mark it is 900 grade silver.
Native American turquoise cuff bracelet, 1960s
Price: £225
This bracelet comes from the US although it is not certain which maker. It has the look of a Navajo design which would be from the South West in Arizona or New Mexico. It has two very large natural shaped turquoise stones with a greenish hue and a strong matrix. It is marked 925 inside and then 925A1 and L79 on the outside of the cuff.
Art Deco paste collar necklace by Schreiber & Hiller c1930
Price: £125
This is a quintessential Art Deco piece by Schreiber and Hiller. It is marked DGRM 1138525. This is a German patent number held by Schreiber and Hiller and pertains to the type of fluid link that has been designed to hold channel set stones. This patent was issued in September 1930. The company ceased to trade during WW2.
Pair of Taxco Mexican silver earrings, c1980
Price: £75
This is a stunning pair of earrings comprising large oval malachite stones set in silver with beading and rope twist work around the edge. They are from Taxco, the silver district in Mexico, and date to the 1980s. Marked 'Mexico', 'TZ-16', '925', they have been adapted from clip to post earrings to make them more easily wearable.
English silver filigree floral necklace
Price: £35
This is a lovely filigree necklace comprising 17 small floral filigree stations. Unmarked silver
Liberty Dollar 1922 mounted as a pendant on necklace
Price: £35
This is a very interesting piece of ephemera that can be worn. It is a Liberty silver dollar encased in a filigree design. It has been "married" to a torque necklace so it really stands out at the neckline. You definitively won't see many of these around town! :)
Pair of Modernist Taxco earrings, c1980
Price: £45
This is a striking pair of earrings in a modernist style design of thick squares. Marked 'Sterling 925' and 'TS-7A' indicating Taxco, the city of manufacture and the maker's registration mark, a system of identification first used in 1979.
Opera length strand of beautiful moss agate beads 1960s
Price: £65
This is an unusual long strand of beads in Scottish moss agate stones in both oblong and round shapes. These beads all have different moss agate patterns.
Navajo suite of Necklace and Earrings set with sleeping beauty turquoise, 1990s
Price: £250
This is a beautiful and high quality suite of a silver necklace and matching earrings set with ‘Sleeping Beauty’ turquoise. The necklace has three linked stations employing the overlay technique of building up different layers on the design, which represents flying eagles against a background of stylised clouds. Both the necklace and earrings are fitted with bright blue turquoise bead drops, the purity and colour of the stone indicating a provenance from the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ mine, located in Globe, Arizona, which was the only source for turquoise of this type and closed in 2012 enhancing the rarity of the stone today. For many years it was extremely popular among Native American artists, particularly from the Zuni Pueblo region.
The Navajo are a Native American people of the Southwestern United States with the largest reservation in the country, mainly concentrated in Arizona and New Mexico. Their silverwork, which they began to produce in the late C19th, came to enjoy great popularity and often employed the use of turquoise. This matching suite is an excellent example of their work. The necklace is marked ‘Sterling’ for 925 silver and the same material would have been used throughout, providing a perfect backdrop to the ‘sleeping beauties’.
Large Victorian turquoise Pendant, Indian c1900
Price: £95
This is massive piece of turquoise mounted as a pendant; the elaborate setting is in white metal with paste stones to the border. It was made in India for the European market. It is lovely as a pendant but is also an amazing single stone which could be remounted to suit.
Outstanding Taxco silver and abalone Bangle c1980
Price: £200
This is a striking and large Taxco bangle that has been expertly set with curved abalone pieces and has a typical hinge and spring closure so that it is easy to get on and fits any wrist. It is marked 'TH-105', the Taxco silversmith reg number, 'Mexico' '925'.
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.
Abalone and silver modernist design Necklace, modern
Price: £60
This is a very interesting necklace comprising geometric shapes set with abalone. The chain links mirror these shapes which adds an elegance and completeness to the design. The origin of this necklace is unclear but the work could perhaps be Greek or Cypriot. It is difficult to say definitively though as the design is so unique and abalone can be found in many parts of the world.
Very finely carved soapstone pendant necklace
Price: £175
This is a wonderful necklace comprising a large carved soapstone plaque depicting the double fish, bat and heart symbols. These are symbols for good fortune, happy relationships and good luck. The are combined with jade and cherry amber beads which is a very striking combination. The is a silver clasp and the bale is brass.
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!
Lot of 3 Chinese bangles
Price: £35
This is nice lot of three bangles, one cloisonné and two cinnabar. The larger cinnabar bangle is beautifully detailed on black ground, the thinner cinnabar is more typical and has more age, the cloisonné is lovely work on a blue ground.
Art Deco silver brooch with paste stones c1930
Price: £85
This is a very distinctive brooch with a typical Art Deco design. It is set with large paste stones with an exceptionally large central blue stone. It is marked 935 so it is most likely French.
Indian tribal necklace, 19th century
Price: £175
This is a very unusual and rare tribal necklace that is from India, most likely from the Rajasthan region. It features a large silver disc with a free form design, This is strung with a necklace that has thousands of garnet beads. The pendant is marked 925 which indicates that it was exported to the west.
Incredible Taxco collar necklace c1960
Price: £250
This is a very rare example of Taxco silver. it boasts 150 grams of silver that has been formed as a ribbon like collar ending in two modernist plaques with pebble formations. It is marked Sterling 925 Mexico
Vulcanite long necklace with Maltese cross and fob c1880
Price: £195
This is the holy grail of Vulcanite necklace due to the length and it also has two integrated Vulcanite pendants a Maltese cross and a fob that may have been intended to be engraved. The links are round and there are further links at the end giving it a lariat style.
ABOUT VULCANITE
Exciting scientific and technological advances punctuated the nineteenth century. Growth and development with regard to jewelry-making techniques and new and innovative jewelry materials were an important part of these creative endeavors. Combining imitation gems with various imitation jewelry materials had already been en vogue since the early Eighteenth century and viable replacements for faux non-metallic jewelry materials were chiefly derived from plastics and rubber.
Uncured rubber is somewhat brittle and does not have the stamina to hold up over the long term necessary to be viable for jewelry use. It was not until Charles Goodyear patented the vulcanization process in America in 1844 and Thomas Hancock did the same in England, that jewelry production with a rubber composition was possible. Vulcanization is a high-heat process that adds sulfur to the mix and renders the result more durable than rubber or plastic alone. Both gentlemen exhibited their achievements at the Great Exhibition, displaying molds of items intended to substitute for the very popular, but exceedingly brittle jet.
One of the main purveyors of vulcanite jewellery was the Britannia Rubber and Kamptulicon Company, set up in 1854 at Cannon Street in the City, with the works in the East End of London at Bow Common, “for the purpose of manufacturing in England articles invented by Mr. Goodyear.” From 1866, they placed advertisements in The Times for ” Indiarubber chaines Benoiton, wholesale and export only,” offering a full range of industrial, household and ornamental goods including “Imitation Jet (India Rubber): Albert chains, Victoria chains, long chains, Latin, Greek, Maltese and Dagmar crosses, brooches, bracelets, earrings, waist-clasps, charms and trinkets, gauntlets and armlets, fancy black combs, and dressing combs,” assuring their customers that these items had the “the beauty of polish and deepness of colour of jet, without its dangerous quality of brittleness…You may dash a bracelet or chain of this material to the ground without injuring it.”
Sources:
Lang Antiques (www.langantiques.com)
Gere, Charlotte and Rudoe, Judy. Jewellery in the Age of Queen Victoria: A Mirror to the World: London, The British Museum Press, 2010.
Outstanding Taxco silver bracelet c1960
Price: £295
This is a heavy and substantial bracelet made in the style of William Spratling (1900-1967) the father of Taxco who opened his workshop there, Taller de las Delicias, in the early 1930s . His designs continued to dominate the Taxco silver districts of Mexico and this piece is an excellent example of this. Its design elements reflect the Art Deco styles of the 1930s and 40s but are softened by the scroll work. It has a very sturdy integrated clasp and is marked 'Mexico', '925', 'C-11'. C-11 is the registration number of the silversmith. It was a requirement that all Taxco silversmiths had these registration numbers but the names of their studios cannot always be identified.
Classic Taxco cuff bracelet, c1980
Price: £75
This is a striking bracelet in a typical Taxco diamond design. It is a cuff shape so brilliant for most wrists and easy to wear. It is marked Mexico TF-15 925. This mark indicates the Taxco silversmith.
