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.
Suite of Scottish agate necklace and bracelet c1970
Price: £85
This is a very unusual suite of two pieces that both have the same curved link design with similar agate stones. Both have full marks with a makers mark A Mc N. An extender chain has been added so it is very wearable.
Paris tourist novelty bracelet c1950
Price: £35
This is a fun bracelet in a tarnished silver finish. It depicts Parisian landmarks and the city's coat of arms. They have a 3D effect which is interesting.
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.
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.
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.
2 figural brooches
Price: £10
This is a lot of 2 brooches that have figural motifs - one is a putti and the other is a warrior. The warrior is marked A Miracle Creation which is a Scottish company that made costume jewellery.
Cornucopia design suite of necklace and earrings 1990s
Price: £65
This is an incredible set of necklace and earrings. The necklace has a cornucopia with one side set with diamantes and the other side is a twisting floral design set with diamantes and faux sapphires. It is made of gild metal with a polychroming effect in soft greens and peachy tones. The earrings mirror this design and are just as striking as the necklace. The origin of this set is unsure. Could be American. This will attract attention! :)
Chinese Blue and white ceramic beads, C20th
Price: £15
This is a great strand of Chinese ceramic beads all hand painted i blue and white with symbolic motifs. They are strung on a red cord with an adjustable Chinese knot.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS FREE UK SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM. For international buyers the shipping cost will be reduced by the UK shipping cost, so don't worry if you are outside the UK, you still receive this benefit!
Silver Art Nouveau Mucha style brooch c1910
Price: £35
This is a very lovely and substantial brooch depicting a female profile very much in the style of Alphonse Mucha (1860 - 1939). It is unmarked continental sliver.
Fun vintage souvenir shell necklace 1960s
Price: £15
This is quite an intricately made necklace that would have been a souvenir piece in the 1960s. It comprises three types of shells that are woven together. It is difficult to name the shells unless you are an oceanographer (!) but the main type of shell is a flat and there are two other smaller shells with one artificially coloured green.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS FREE UK SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM. For international buyers the shipping cost will be reduced by the UK shipping cost, so don't worry if you are outside the UK, you still receive this benefit!
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.
Egyptian Revival statement necklace c1920
Price: £85
This is quite an early example of Egyptian Revival pieces made available for the general public. It is a short necklace in a breast plate design with two hanging pendants with many of the standard Egyptian symbols and icons cast in brass and decorated with enamel painting. This would have been quite a modest item in its time, created for those who wanted a taste of the glamour of the Egyptian era.
Stunning Art Deco Murano glass necklace
Price: £75
This is a stunning necklace comprising Murano glass beads with silver foil, jet beads and a tassel with marcasite beads.
Art Deco crystal and gilt metal Necklace
Price: £35
This is a very beautiful necklace with three strands of crystal beads suspended from gilt metal triangular plaques with an art deco style floral design ending in a cluster of three crystal beads in the form of stylised flower heads and a shell form crystal, all set on a gilt metal plaque with an openwork stylised floral design.
Five Murano glass fish pendants
Price: £25
This is a rather random lot comprising five small Murano glass pendants. Each one has a hole in the fin so they are all ready to be worn as necklaces or to be put together as one fabulous necklace. It is all up to you! :)
Taxco collar necklace by Rubi Ramirez c1950
Price: £350
This is an outstanding example of Taxco jewellery in a heavy modern design of links creating a fluidity that can only be achieved by the best silversmiths. .Rubi Ramirez is one of the original Taxco silversmiths working with Pedro Castillo and William Spratling. This piece is very clearly marked with Rubi's RR hallmark.
Pair of chandelier silver earrings 20th century
Price: £35
This is a striking pair of earrings comprising three drops of incised silverwork with drops. The silver has been plated with gold and rose gold to give a tri colour effect. Is marked 925.
Unusual 1950s puka shell and coral necklace
Price: £20
This is a beautiful necklace comprising numerous graduating polished puka shell stations interspersed with coral beads.
Beautiful paste evening necklace c1940
Price: £25
This is a wonderful necklace comprising pink and clear glass stones with a large central pendant with a very unusual floral crown design. There are stones all the way around this necklace set in leaf settings.
Mexican Silver Bolo Tie with Aztec mask Head, Taxco, c1950
Price: £125
The word ‘bolo’ derives from ‘boleadora’, an Argentine or Uruguayan lariat or lasso and is used to describe this semi formal type of neckwear in which a cord is held together by a medallion of some sort so that it can be draped around the neck. Mexican silversmiths working at Taxco, the artistic centre of Mexican silver production, produced versions of the bolo in which the medallion is in the form of a hardstone mask head set in silver. In common with many, this piece has an aventurine hardstone face in the form of an Aztec mask framed by an elaborate silver headdress. Through this runs a black cord with silver tips at each end. The mask is stamped at the back ‘925’ ‘TAXCO’ ‘Cheo’ ‘MEXICO’ with an eagle mark 185 at the top left. Dating is most likely to the 1950s. The bolo was regarded as semi formal wear for a man but can equally, or even better, serve a decorative piece of neckwear for a lady with a distinct hint of South American style.
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.
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! :)
Fun lot of two Indian silver elephant brooches c1930
Price: £45
These are are two very different yet similar brooches depicting elephants. One is quite realistic with much detail such as skin, face and ears. The other is a typical Indian stylised design that is also quite detailed. Both are made in the typical repousse style. They have been "married" as they look so good together! :)
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.
Burmese silver plated Scent Bottle on a chain c1880
Price: £45
This is a very wearable piece of fashion history. It comprises a large repousse decorated scent bottle cast from silver plated white metal and depicting Burmese lions, fitted to a very long necklace chain. The stopper is attached by chain and comes out to reveal the scent wand. Not without a practical use this piece certainly fulfils a decorative function!
Statement necklace in the manner of Lalaounis c1990
Price: £75
This is a wonderful quality necklace comprising two tiers of Etruscan design elements and numerous acorn form drops. This is made to emulate the designs of Lalaounis a very popular jewellery designer and goldsmith who worked in Greece until his death in 2013. It has three tiers of drops and the swirl design is the main design element. The origin of this necklace is unknown but it is amazing quality and is drenched in buttery gold plating.
Art Nouveau comb with coral fish and pearls
Price: £45
This is a beautiful piece of Art Nouveau, a celluloid hair comb with an inset carving of a koi fish in coral and seed pearls. It is carved with swirls and incised with very fine designs.
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.
Beautiful long jade necklace with lapis lazuli and large carved jade pendant
Price: £950
This is a stunning constructed necklace with a large carved jade pendant with alternating stations of jade and lapis lazuli beads. The jade beads and carving are 1920s/30s, the lapis is 1960s.
Taxco suite of necklace and earrings, malachite and onyx stations, 1990s
Price: £250
This is a quite rare suite of necklace and earrings that come from the Taxco region of Mexico. Both comprise stations of malachite and onyx that go all the way around each piece. The stations are each individually hinged which gives these pieces a fluidity and quality that only comes from the Taxco workshops. Both have the typical box clasp and are marked 'TN-57' 'Mexico' '925'. The TN number indicates the workshop although there is no definitive list regarding the numbers attached and an exact provenance cannot be determined.
Fun vintage jade necklace with hook and ring closure c1980
Price: £25
This is a lovely necklace comprising celadon jade beads with a jade ring and dragon head hook that is a feature of the necklace. The jade is most likely treated or stabilized.
Victorian style copper bracelet with buckle detail 1950s
Price: £20
This is a lovely collectible piece of Victorian style copper jewellery. This would have had a gold wash on it originally. It has a bold buckle detail and a hammered sunflower design. It is marked "Exquisite".
Two brooches - Jerusalem Mother of Pearl and Egyptian Silver, 1950s
Price: £15
This is a lovely group of two very different brooches. One is a large very finely carved mother of pearl brooch that is known as Jerusalem Mother of Pearl. The other is an Egyptian filigree silver brooch depicting a camel.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS FREE UK SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM. For international buyers the shipping cost will be reduced by the UK shipping cost, so don't worry if you are outside the UK, you still receive this benefit!
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.
Incredible long jade necklace with large carnelian pendant
Price: £135
This is a constructed necklace comprising numerous large celadon colour beads interspersed with different coloured jade beads. There is a ox carving at one of the stations and it ends in a large carnelian disc pendant and silk tassel. This necklace is a very long opera length.
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
Massive Obsidian Art Deco Cuff
Price: £185
This is a very rare Deco bracelet set with a huge obsidian volcanic stone. These are millions of years old and vary widely in value depending on age and location. This bracelet appears to be Mexican in origin. An incredible find!
Taxco Fish Brooch c1940
Price: £25
This is very delicate small silver brooch that depicts a charming and cheerful fish. It has a textured surface and the eyelashes are detailed. It is marked with a maker's monogram 'JG' or possibly 'GG' and in addition there is an "Eagle" mark '3' below the words 'Heche en Mexico', indicating a dating to the 1940s.
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.
Tibetan turquoise and silver necklace 1930s
Price: £45
This is a a very unusual necklace comprising numerous small discs of turquoise that graduate down to a minute size. They are interspersed with silver and onyx discs. The metal is silver however probably a lower grade or 800 silver. It is quite small for all you swans, but could easily work with an extender.
Outstanding Art Deco necklace with French jet and rock crystal beads c1920
Price: £175
This is a stunning and rare necklace comprising French jet glass beads combinded with facetted rock crystal beads. There are two stations that are tear drop shaped that have both French jet and crystal elements, this is very typical of the Art Deco period in jewellery. This necklace has been recenlty restrung to ensure that it is strong.
French cockerel brooch 1920s
Price: £75
This is a very striking large brooch in hand worked brass with enamelled feathers, head and feet. It is very cleverly made to give you the effect of many voluminous tail feathers.
Silver Snake bangle, 20th century
Price: £25
This is a very elegant silver bangle in a typical Egyptian snake motif design with hallmarks.
Vintage Moroccan statement brooch
Price: £45
This is a very striking brooch in a Moroccan design set with glass stones
Striking Brass Bracelet with Berry and Purple Glass Stone charms, 1940s
Price: £25
This is a great bracelet comprising numerous brass berry form charms and purple glass briolette stones joined by rope effect gilt metal double chain links. The brass would probably have had gilding on it which has worn off.
Taxco bracelet with rivet details c1980
Price: £85
This is an outstanding bracelet that feature heavy stations of silver set with brass rivet decoration. It boasts a typical box clasp that is also set with this rivet detail. This motif is quite rare. It is marked TM-79 Mexico 925
Early Egyptian Revival necklace c1900
Price: £65
This is a lovely example of early Egyptian Revival that was popular in the 19th century. It comprises a lariat style pendant in the shape of a winged scarab ending with a tradtional Victorian style drop with vivid red stones.
Victorian Chinese turquoise beads 1900
Price: £400
This is a Chinese graduated turquoise bead necklace. The stones are untreated and natural colours and markings really make this a stunning example. It is very finely graduated so they imperceptibly decrease in size which adds to the elegance and quality.
Black glass apple pendant on a long chain, 1980s
Price: £25
This is an amusing necklace comprising a black glass pendant in the form of an apple mounted with a leaf with diamante stones and suspended from a long complementary chain.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS FREE UK SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM. For international buyers the shipping cost will be reduced by the UK shipping cost, so don't worry if you are outside the UK, you still receive this benefit!
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.
Exceptional strand of Scottish Moss agate beads
Price: £45
This is a lovely example of these Art Deco beads as they have very clear stones where the inclusions are bright and noticeable. They are graduated with a silver clasp.
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
Massive lapis lazuli carved pendant necklace
Price: £125
This is a striking statement that features a large carved lapis lazuli pendant with a rooster design symbolizing perseverance and hard work. It is also a year on the Chinese calendar so this might have been carved to celebrate the New Year. It has been restrung with lapis and silver beads.
Very fine Indian silver repousse plaque Necklace, c1970
Price: £55
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.
Large Victorian Turquoise pendant c1900
Price: £95
This is massive piece of turquoise mounted as a pendant surrounded by paste stones. It is mounted in white metal and is Indian made for the European market. It is lovely as a pendant but is also an amazing single stone.
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.
Exceptional Paste necklace 1940s
Price: £25
This a very delicate and bright paste necklace with seven floral stations interspersed with single stones. Set in brass with barrel clasp.
Victorian vulcanite anchor chain necklace with carved jet pendant c1880
Price: £195
This is quite a rare necklace as due to the type of link combined with the long length of the necklace. The links are a large anchor design combined with the finely carved jet pendant.
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.”1
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.
Silver Brooch in the form of a Butterfly, Taxco 1940s
Price: £65
A silver Brooch in the form of a Butterfly with modelled wings set with beads in metal and turquoise, the slender body terminating in two antennae. Marked Made in Mexico, Sterling with the maker's mark AE in a heart shape. There is also an Eagle mark which indicates the Taxco workshop but this is difficult to identify.
Adrian Mann Brooch 1970s
Price: £25
This is a very striking brooch by designer Adrian Mann in patinaed brass, signed
Incredible rare Victorian necklace set with real beetles c1900
Price: £175
This is a gorgeous and rare necklace set with five real iridescent beetle drops in open back settings. The setting and chain are rolled gold and there is a barrel clasp closure. The Victorians loved this type of scarab jewellery due to the nod to Egyptian motifs and the use of real insects. This was aligned with the popularity of taxidermy decorations for the home.
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.
Zuni Cuff Bracelet set with Kingman Turquoise, marked, New Mexico 1970s
Price: £300
This is a heavy silver cuff bracelet comprising a large oval Kingman turquoise stone set into a typical Zuni design featuring clean lines and millegrain work. The Zuni Tribe, located 34 miles south of Gallup, New Mexico, is an extensive community with over 10,000 members and renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and artistry, particularly in the realm of jewellery manufacture. Many of their pieces employ the use of turquoise and the colouration and features of the stone here indicate a provenance from the Kingman mine in North West Arizona. This exceptional piece has the stamped maker's mark 'CIRCLE J.W.' 'STERLING', possibly for Jack Whittaker, an artist known for other pieces in a similar style, and is a prime example of Zuni work, highly fashionable at the time of manufacture in the 1970s and highly desirable today.
Fun group of two porcelain brooches with paid of small earrings 1960s
Price: £15
This is a group of two brooches with matching earrings. All have inset porcelain plaques with a floral motif. The brooch with the purple flowers seems to have a monogram signature.
Cherry amber Bakelite necklace, Germany 1920s
Price: £125
This is a very beautiful necklace comprising graduated bright and clear facetted cherry amber Bakelite beads, strung with braided and knotted orange thread and with a spring ring clasp. These necklaces are quite rare and the clear red colour here, enriched by the faceting, is one of the most desirable.
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.
Taxco silver bracelet, c1980
Price: £50
This is a very recognizable Taxco design with heavy ball and bar stations. It has a typical Taxco box clasp that is marked 'Mexico' 'TC-314' '925 with additional stamped smaller marks including '925'.
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.
Antqiue Scottish agate specimen brooch/pendant
Price: £55
This is a very good example of this type of brooch with a bale so can be worn as a pendant. The panels are carnelian, jasper etc.
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.
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.
Constructed necklace with jade, egg yolk amber and cherry amber
Price: £250
This necklace is a wonderful design comprising cherry and egg yolk amber beads together with jade beads that end in a very large carved jade plaque. This is a vert fine example of Chinese carving with an allegorical motif of a dragons mouth around a smaller dragon. The jade is a golden spinach jade that is an unusual colour.
Red paste floral earrings and necklace suite c1960
Price: £45
This an exceptional quality suite of necklace and earrings. Both are set with very bright past stones in dark pink/red and clear. The floral motif cormprises numerious stations of flowers ending in a central pendant with drop. Each stone is prong set which is why it is such great quality and all the stones are intact. It is unmarked. Probably French. The flowers go all the way around the neck. The earring are pierced long drops that go perfectly with the necklace.
Art Deco statement necklace with real pearls and paste stones c1920
Price: £100
This is a very rare necklace that is in a lariat design. The central pendant has a lace design set with real seed pearls and paste stones. There is also a large teardrop shaped natural fresh water pearl.
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.
Unusual Egyptian Revival necklace with a plaque depicting Isis, 1930s
Price: £75
This is a very striking necklace that features a very large central plaque well modelled with a double figure representation of the goddess Isis and a central scarab bead, with glass and a gilt metal bead below. The necklace with graduated glass beads, chain linked, and two gilt metal beads and with an integrated bead clasp.
Edwardian belt buckle encrusted with marcasite stones
Price: £75
This is a beautiful and unusual belt buckle that features a grapes and grapevines motif
Victorian style Bracelet in Mother of Pearl and Silver, modern
Price: £95
This is a beautiful bracelet that has been designed with the Victorian era in mind. It has 14 herringbone chains that join two hemispherical plaques that have floral motifs set with marcasite stones, one also with an attractive and large circular mother of pearl plaque. While retrospective in style, this piece is contemporary and most likely European, possibly made in France or Belgium. It is marked '925'.
Art Deco paste bracelet by Schreiber & Hiller c1930
Price: £75
This is a very rare bracelet 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.
Art Deco Czech glass necklace with enamel and glass stones, 1930s
Price: £45
This is a stunning statement necklace that is typical of Czech glass jewellery. It is inset with stones to emulate aquamarine. It also has unusual enamel work set on an architectural design that is quintessentially Art Deco. It is brass that would have been more gold in colour in its time.
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.
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.
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!
Striking Bakelite buckle in the shape of an airplane, American 1930s
Price: £45
This is an incredible buckle in ivory white 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!
Striking modernist necklace with large butterscotch amber pendant c1970
Price: £50
This is an unusual necklace comprising a large egg yolk amber pendant and spacing beads. In white metal with barrel clasp.
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.
Egyptian Revival Czech statement necklace set with real beetles c1920
Price: £150
This is an unbelievably rare example of early Czech costume jewellery. It is set with real beetles and faux lapis glass cabochons and beads. There is even a beetle on the central drop. Between the beetles are Egyptian icons, enamel flies and gilt leaves set on a cartouche design plaque.
Victorian enamel buckle c1900
Price: £45
This is a lovely example of these buckles in a scrollwork design with bright enameling in turquoise and pinks. It is brass.
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.
Art Deco Scottish agate necklace
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. With original screw clasp.
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!
Art Deco Czech glass bracelet
Price: £35
This is a fantastic piece of Czech glass comprising stations of turquoise colour cabochons and faux pearls. All elements are intact and the clasp works well.
Edwardian Egyptian Revival necklace, inscribed and dated 1910
Price: £250
This is a wonderful necklace in the Egyptian Revival style comprising silver filigre stations mounted with large Cairngorm citrine stones that vary in size from 63 mm and 105 mm. It is inscribed "Hedydd from her godparents C A.M. J J.H-J E.H-J July 14th 1910"
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.
Victorian style Czech glass statement necklace c1930
Price: £65
This is a beautifully designed necklace that features a central lariat pendant set with red glass stones. Necklace has corresponding red bead.
Art Deco Islamic silver bracelet with inset stones
Price: £195
This is a very striking bracelet that features a central plaque with inset turquoise, amethyst and carnelian stones. The setting has fine repousse stars and teardrop design with filigree work. The band is very wide and is comprised of a very fine woven silver. The clasp mirrors the plaque motif and has a bolt fitment.
