Czech Egyptian Revival bracelet 1930s
Price: £30
This is a simple and elegant bracelet comprising stations of Egyptian motif panels and four station set with turquoise glass.
Fun 1970s button bangle
Price: £25
This is a super bangle comprising buttons encased in lucite. it has a rather homemade quality so it might have been made from a kit. This just adds to the vintage look and makes it even more fun! :)
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.
Native American turquoise bead necklace with original clasp c1960
Price: £350
This is a very rare necklace comprising perfectly graduated turquoise discs. The stones represent the many different shades of turquoise that are found in and around Arizona and New Mexico. Each bead is separated by a very small amber bead, used because amber is soft and will not scratch the turquoise. The necklace ends with a matching clasp set with a turquoise stone that perfectly complements it. It has been restrung in recent times using very strong steel wire giving it durability for many years to come.
Navajo turquoise ring c1960
Price: £125
This is a large ring with a beautiful and organically shaped turquoise stone set in a typical Navajo silver design. It is signed with a silversmith's mark as well as others but some elements have worn away over the years. The turquoise is from the Kingman mine in Arizona. Originally made for a man it is, of course, 'unisex' now and will grace the hand of whoever chooses to wear it!
North American turquoise ring c1990
Price: £75
This is lovely ring with a good size cabachon turquoise stone set it silver. It appears to be North American turquoise but it could possibly be from the central Chinese province of Hubei, another source of high quality turquoise stones. Unmarked, it has a modern design with a halo effect and the bead work detail is typical of North American work.
Taxco torque statement necklace and bracelet, Daniela, 1980s
Price: £250
This is a fabulous set of necklace and cuff bracelet comprising two pieces of silver formed in a wave shape. One side is polished silver and the other side is oxidized silver. It is then set with a polished silver sphere that adds to the modern space age design. It is signed "Taxco Daniela 950" and "TD-09 Mexico 950". Daniela is the designer and TD-09 would be the Taxco registration.
Art Deco Bakelite beads c1930
Price: £150
This a very rare long strand of graduated Bakelite beads in an octahedron shape. They are strung on what might be the original black cord and fitted with a barrel clasp. The beads have been Simichrome tested and are definitely Bakelite.
They are of the most intense ruby red colour and the smaller spacer beads are the same shape.
Victorian pinchbeck brooch with paste stone c1900
Price: £45
This is a lovely brooch in a cartouche shape. It is built up to a dome shape with mounted flowers and leaves. It is also set with very bright paste stones.
Pinchbeck is an alloy of copper and zinc, mixed in proportions to resemble the appearance of gold. It was invented by Christopher Pinchbeck, a London clock and watchmaker, around the early 18th century.
Opera length mille fiore station necklace and earrings c1950 and later
Price: £25
This is a striking and very long necklace comprising stations of mille fiore glass beads and red and black glass beads with paste stones in between. It is very elegant and detailed. It is meant to wrap around the neck and then hang down to the waist although it could be also wrapped around the neck a few times. It is paired with complementary earrings that have black glass and paste stones. The necklace is not silver and most likely would have had gilding in its time. The earrings still have a gold tone. The necklace dates to the 1950s and the earrings are later, most likely 1970s.
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.
Tibetan amulet necklace featuring Buddhist deity c1900
Price: £25
This is very interesting necklace that comprises a very large amulet or talisman in a flower shape, which is built up in steps and features a figure holding a sword. It is made from brass, that would have had bright gilding in its time. It is mounted with garnets and enamel work. There are some stones that appear to be turquoise and coral although these might be enamel. There is also an embossed lotus flower on the back.
The chain on this necklace is quite short for it to fit over a modern head so it would probably need a clasp in addition.
Silver and marcasite statement brooch, 1956
Price: £125
This is a real showstopper of a brooch. It is very large in a floral spray and ribbon design. It has numerous silver marks including an English import mark from 1956. The other marks indicate that it is most likely continental possibly Belgian or Swiss.
What stands out with this brooch is the quality of the workmanship. It is encrusted with hundreds of marcasite stones that are all prong set. There is not one missing stone. We get so used the costume versions of a brooch like this; it is such a pleasure to see an original.
Edwardian silver and turquoise brooch c1910
Price: £55
This a very unusual brooch created from silver set with turquoise stones. It is in a crown shape and has nine large stones and numerous smaller stones. It is continental with the turquoise being most likely from the Middle East. It is unmarked and comes in its original box.
Scottish amethyst specimen necklace c1950
Price: £35
This is a lovely and delicate necklace comprising five graduated stations of Scottish amethyst. The patterns within the stones are very common in Scottish stones and this necklace shows the beauty of the irregularity of the stones. Scottish amethyst is sourced from various localities in Scotland, such as the Isle of Mull, Dundee, Fife, and Dumfries & Galloway.
Stunning Art Deco Indian silver neck ring and bracelet c1920
Price: £650
This is a very rare set of a necklace and bracelet that is Indian in origin. It is very heavy and has a twisted design with dual rams’ heads. The rams’ heads are very detailed, and this quality continues throughout both pieces.
Both have a very strong bolt type clasp that allows the two pieces to open and then it is locked in place. The clasp mechanism is crafted from iron and not silver. This is to ensure that it remains strong and in position.
This design is very well known in many cultures but is probably best known in Greek and Etruscan jewellery. These pieces might have been commissioned and were most likely made for a man. The size fits both genders but it is so chunky that it doesn’t seem likely to have been made for a woman during the 1920s.
They would look great on anyone today!
Hertfordshire puddingstone Brooch c1940
Price: £35
This is a very unusual brooch set with a hertfordshire puddingstone and mounted in silver.
Hertfordshire puddingstone is a conglomerate of rounded flint pebbles in a matrix of fine pale sand all cemented together (basically a ‘fossil beach’). As the pebbles, the sand and the cementing material are all silica the rock is very hard and breaks evenly across pebbles and sandy matrix.
The story of hertfordshire puddingstone is also the story of climate changes over the last 80 million years ranging between extremes of hot and cold. (Ref: East Herts Geology Club, https://ehgc.org.uk/hertfordshire-puddingstone/puddingstone-formation/ )
Scottish agate specimen bracelet c1970
Price: £85
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.
Long strand of butterscotch amber coloured beads c1960
Price: £25
This is a bold statement necklace comprising graduated round beads. These are made from an early plastic called Catalin. They have been Simichrome tested and they are not Bakelite. There are glass spacer beads and no clasp.
One of the beads has small pin prick holes as someone must have done a heated needle test for amber. See images.
Victorian carved bovine bone necklace, Indian c1900
Price: £175
This is a very striking necklace that features a large bovine bone pendant mounted with a very detailed carving of a maiden holding a spray of flowers. It is set together with two carved horn shaped bone carvings.This is most liley Indian in origin.
Early Neiger Brothers book chain necklace c1910
Price: £325
This is quite an early necklace by the Neiger brothers that features a large stylized central pendant depicting Sobekneferu or it might be conglomeration of different figures. This then has a hanging pendant with a molded glass plaque that depicts another Egyptian figure. The chain is interesting as it is a book chain style particularly popular in the Edwardian era.
Neiger Brothers necklace with Egyptian Revival glass plaques c1930
Price: £225
This is Neiger piece with beautiful lapis glass molded plaques depicting Egyptian iconsography. It features an Art Deco design with machine age elements combined with more traditional marcasite stones. This one combines different styles that are perfectly balanced.
Art Deco convertible brooch dress clips c1930
Price: £95
This is a wonderful example of these types of brooches. It is silver and is set with very high quality marchasit stones. It is marked silver on both the piece and the clips.
Art Deco concave cut agate ring c1930
Price: £55
This is a very usual ring due to its central stone. The stone is a typical Scottish agate that has been carved into a concave shape. It is set in silver and surrounded with milgrain work.
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.
Art Deco emerald cut paste stone ring c1920
Price: £55
This is a very elegant ring made up of silver set with marcasite stones with a large octogan cut purple paste stone. It is unmarked.
Art Nouveau style Lily bouquet brooch c1950
Price: £65
This is a large brooch with a lily spray design. It is marked 'silver' and there is a makers mark. The origin of this piece isn't clear.
Etruscan style rock crystal and turquoise round brooch c1900
Price: £65
This is a very striking neck brooch comprising a very large facetted rock crystal stone drilled and set with a turquoise stone. It is unmarked silver. Probably Italian or Greek.
Art Deco style earrings with onyx and amethyst c1970
Price: £85
This is a pair of earrings that have a quintessential Art Deco design. They are set with onyx stones (not enamel), marcasites and amethysts. They are marked 925. These are not from the Art Deco period but show how popular these designs remain in the present day.
Art Deco brooch with Shibayama style mother of pearl plaque c1920
Price: £225
This is a very rare silver brooch comprising a large oval onyx stone set with a very detailed and fine carved mother of pearl plaque. This is either a nod to Japanese shibayama designs or it was indeed imported from Japan and set into the brooch. The floral pattern shimmers and dances with the light and there is so much detail. It is a real work of art. It is set wth marcasite stones around the edge. It is marked illegibly but it is continental. Most likely French or Belgian.
Pietra Dura jasper moth brooch c1920
Price: £175
This is a very rare pietra dura brooch that features inlay jasper in the shape of a moth. There are thee types of jasper finished off with malachite around the edge of the wings. There are also glass beads inset to mimick that markings. It is set in typical rolled gold.
Art Nouveau William Comyns silver buckle, 1901
Price: £250
This is a piece of true Art Nouvea design. It is a ladies silver buckle by silver maker William Comyns. It bears the hallmarks for Comyns, London 1901. There is also a design patent number Rd No 564 383.
William Comyns founded the company in 1858. He initially operated from the former premises of silversmith Robert Tagg at 2 Carlisle Street, Soho, London, where he registered his first maker’s mark (W.C in a four-tipped oval) in 1859. Comyns’ silverware was retailed by some of the world’s most prestigious firms, including Tiffany & Co., The Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company, and leading London retailers such as Henry Lewis and Howell & James.
Art Deco brooch with large zircon stone c1930
Price: £175
This is a silver bar brooch set with European cut diamonds and a large blue zircon. It is set in an elegant Art Deco design that shows off the central stone. It is unmarked.
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.
Victorian silver lizard brooch with paste stones c1880
Price: £100
This is a very typical Victorrian brooch in the form of a lizard. It is set with pastes stones. It is marked 935 and there is a mark that looks like a wheel shape. It is continental, possibly German.
French enamel egyptian revival bracelet c1900
Price: £125
This is a very delicate bracelet comprisng stations with enamel work that depict Egyptian iconography. This was most liklely a souvenir from the Paris Worlds Fair in 1900 where Egypt featured prominently.
Unique Butler & Wilson Neoclassical Tiara 1980s
Price: £195
This is a very unusual piece of vintage Butler & Wilson from the 1980s. It is at the very least quite unique and it is possibly bespoke. It it extremely ornate and beautifully made with mounted festoons, putti and swans. It is finished with a large crown which is quintessential B & W. It is set with faux pearls. There are faux pearls that encircle the swans necks and hanging faux teardrop pearls along the edge. All this is built on a stiff mesh frame. It bears the Butler & Wilson mark.
As most people who love costume jewellery know, Butler & Wilson have been and are a powerhouse British brand that have been designing costume jewellery since the 1970s. Pieces like this one are quite collectable due to their age and design. There are many collectors around the world that collect both vintage and new pieces. This one is for you!
