~Embellishments ~
~ Victorian: the true antiques ~
(click on the picture to see a larger version)
Victorian mother of pearl brooch
Elegant late Victorian mother of pearl brooch set in sterling silver. C-hook clasp, 1 3/4" long, great condition. I have not removed the patina from the silver as many collectors prefer it intact. F0-Vic001 $35
Massive Civil War-era swivel brooch
This haunting and
sentimental piece wears its age with pride. Gold filled, measuring
2" high x 1 3/4" across, with a bale on the reverse for
appending from a chain, should one so desire. Designed to swivel, so
that either the side can be made to face front: either the faded
ambrotype on one side or the Prince of Wales hairwork with seed pearl
gather on a mellow silk background. Heavy rope-twist border, T-bar,
and elongated pinstem. A wonderful remembrance of a more romantic
era. N9-V0150 Was $325
Now reduced! $275 firm
Locket/fob with Prince of Wales hairwork
This very early piece has one side an unknown building with flags flying and people standing in front of it ~ it reminds me of an exhibition hall, but I can't pin it down which one! The other side is worked with a floral motif and the initials "EJG" in a small cartouche. Opens to reveal a well done Prince of Wales feather under glass opposite floral papering (most of the papering is intact). May be worn as a fob or appended from a chain as a locket. Gold filled, wear to finish at catch point but in great shape. N9-V0156 $199
Flat-weave hairwork under glass in a gilt over brass setting that measures just over 1" across. T-bar, C-clasp attachment. N9- V0159 $76
Shell cameo shown on p. 129 of The Civil War Collector's Price Guide, 8th ed.
Diminutive (under 1" high), beautifully carved shell cameo, no chips or cracks, in gold frame. Image does not do justice to the carving of the helmeted Roman guard! T-bar, C-clasp attachment. This one is on p. 129 of the abovementioned reference work. N9-V0158 $115
Gutta-percha (vulcanite) cross as shown in Vol. XXIII No. 1, "Civil War Era Jewelry," NSTCW
Measuring 2 1/2" high and bearing different designs on either side. This is the one shown on p. 47 of the above issue of North South Trader's Civil War, a copy of which comes with the piece. There is a tiny chip on the corner of the bottom of one side. N9- V0160 $98
Agate and rose gold brooch
Measures 3/4", small enough to be used as an understated scarf pin. Striations are wonderful in this small and well-wrought piece of wearable Victoriana. T-bar, C-clasp. Either end of the stone has two tiny holes drilled through so that very slender chains could be threaded through them; holes were designed to be invisible when it was worn as a brooch. N9- V0162 $118
Late Victorian belt buckle
Truly quality work! A 3" brass belt buckle with C-hook closure. Inset with two cabochon turquoises and bears a flowing design. Excellent condition. F0-Vic004 $48
Lava cameo stickpin in
lichen-colored shade
Spectacular carving in high relief. Frame is gilt over brass. Pinstem 2 1/4", cameo portion 5/8", terrific condition. F0-Vic004 $105
Older shell cameo brooch in silver
Not Victorian, but Victorian revival. Handsomely carved, set in .800 fine silver frame with safety clasp and bale for attaching to a chain, should the wearer desire. Just under 1" high, excellent condition. F0-Cam002 $75
This lovely openweave
tableworked hair cross measures 1 3/4" high and bears the engraved
initials "EL" in the center of the rose gold finding.
Remarkable to find one of these delicate pieces in this condition.
Comes on chain it was found with. N9-V0153 $225
Hair bracelet with citron glass bezel
A well executed hair
bracelet, 6 1/2" long, with a glass citron stone in the center of the
slide-in clasp mount. Gold-filled findings, some stiffening of hair at
ends near findings, but in overall terrific condition. N9-V0154 $290
Hair bracelet engraved "Mother"
Rope-style hairwork bracelet measuring 7" long with gold-filled findings. The clasp is beautifully engraved "Mother." Wonderful condition. N9-V0152 $250
Very early hair pendant
An old and professional conversion created a pendant from this early (circa 1800) rose gold piece. The intials "JB" in gold were placed over cross-thatch hairwork. Wonderful condition and a great example of Georgian hairwork. Measures 1 1/2" high and comes on chain it was found with. N9-V0157 $320
Carved jet beads
Lengthy rope of genuine jet (not French jet) beads with subtle carvings on the larger ones (see closeup). Measures 62". I wrapped them three times to get them in the pic here, but the wearer would likely wrap them only twice. Terrific condition. F0-Vic002 $89
1874 $3 gold piece fob and watch chain
Somebody really loved "C," whoever she was ~ enough so that they turned an 1874 three-dollar gold piece into a Victorian love token watch fob engraved with that initial. Three dollar gold pieces weren't easy to come by then ... but apparently neither was "C." The gold-filled watch chain measures 12" long, is in great condition, and is original to the gold piece fob ~ they came right out of the estate into my hands, intact. N9-V0151 $175
Agate brooch shown in Vol. XXIII No. 1, "Civil War Era Jewelry," NSTCW
Lovely agate brooch set in gold-filled frame, 1 1/6" across, with T-bar, C-clasp attachment. This brooch appeared on p. 51 of the above issue of North South Trader's Civil War, a copy of which comes with the brooch. N9- $125
Gold initial ring "D" ("A" version shown in Bell's Answers to Questions About Old Jewelry)
Man's gold initial ring, piercework mounting, gold "D" on onyx face, size 10. N9- V0161 $225
Gutta-percha (vulcanite) cross
Mellow deep chocolate, with designs on one side and original mounting ring. Measure 2 3/4" high. N9- V0163 $135
Late Victorian souvenir piece
This dates just to the cusp of the Edwardian years. The 1 3/8" brass rope-twist border holds the portrait of a dapper gent. The reverse bears the legend "Palmer House," which was, I'm given to understand, a fine hotel in the city of Chicago. Also noted is the patent date of the pinback mechanism, "May 31, 1898." F0-Vic003 $25