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Vintage WHITING & DAVIS “Victorian Revival” Bracelet & Earrings

Caroline — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:19:20 +0000

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This is a large and super-chunky silvertone cuff bracelet and earrings set, unsigned but easily attributed to Whiting & Davis – there are signed as well as unsigned versions of the same bracelet and earrings, part of a “Victorian Revival” collection produced in the 1950s. This particular bracelet is one of the better-known designs with scalloped leaves and mesh-textured pineapples. The underlying cuff is textured with Victorian-style faux engraving, barely noticeable except where it peeps out near the clasp. It has a sturdy full-width hinge, tongue-and-groove clasp and safety chain, and is thick and heavy weighing a full 80 grams – almost 3 ounces.

The earrings have a dimensional acanthus leaf design and screwback fittings. They are not an exact match to the bracelet but were found in the same box in identical condition, suggesting they were purchased as a set.

Size: The bracelet is 3.2 cm(1.3″) wide and almost 1 cm (0.4″) thick in places. It is suitable for a medium to small-sized wrist with the interior measuring 6 cm by 5.5 cm (2.4″ by 2.2″). The earrings are 3 cm (1.2″) in each direction.

Marks: Unsigned, probably sold with the Whiting & Davis paper hang tag/display card.

Condition: Both the bracelet and earrings are in virtually mint condition, rarely if ever worn. The screwbacks are in good working order and the bracelet clasp snaps firmly shut.

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Vintage Art Deco Rainbow Crystal Pendant & Chain

Caroline — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:55:09 +0000

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This is a very pretty vintage 1930s Art Deco pendant of sparkling glass rainbow crystals in a rhodium or chrome plated setting – classic Art Deco era materials. The crystals are striped pink and blue with faint hints of green noticed through the loupe but barely visible to the naked eye, set in a simple cluster of a raised centre stone surrounded by eight smaller crystals. The back of the cluster is decorative too, covered with a pronged metal disk embossed with a floral motif.

The cluster is suspended from a single open-backed crystal strung on a fine chain of twinkling flat square links. The chain is also chrome or rhodium plated and almost certainly original to the necklace – it is typical of the era and not detachable fron the pendant except by opening the jump ring. Like most rainbow crystal jewellery, this vintage pendant was probably made in Germany but it is not marked at all.

Size: Pendant is 2.6 cm high, including jump ring, by 1.3 cm wide (1″ x 0.5″); chain is 44.5 cm long (17.5″)

Marks: None

Condition: This vintage pendant is in excellent condition. There is a touch of wear on the bolt ring clasp but no wear at all to the setting or chain, suggesting they are rhodium rather than chrome plated. Crystals are all present and undamaged.

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American Arts & Crafts Brooch of Brass & Faux Verdigris, c.1915

Caroline — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 04:36:06 +0000

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Description

This is a quirky American Arts and Crafts brooch of brass and faux verdigris, dating to about 1915. It has a simple acid-etched abstract design and appears to have been gilded with a brighter metal, followed by an application of faux verdigris. The whole has then been rubbed down to achieve a “distressed” or rustic appearance.

Overall, it is very similar to the simplest Forest Craft Guild brooches, often finished with an “antiqued forest green” – and often considered too basic – but it is not signed. It is fitted with a simple c-clasp.

Dimensions

6 cm wide by 4 cm high (2.4″ by 1.6″).

Marks

None

Condition

The style of the brooch makes it deliberately “flawed” but I would say it is in close to original condition, which most likely included the mottling and discolouration visible on the back.

Antique Victorian Silver Mourning Brooch with Compartment

Caroline — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:29:52 +0000

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Description

This is a striking British late-Victorian (Aesthetic-era) sterling silver mourning brooch, dating to about 1880. It has a “target” design of a central dome surrounded by bead and pestle shapes, with rope-style trims.

The back is gently domed, rising up to a glass window lined with a small piece of black fabric. The window is held in place by two small spurs of metal and opens by being eased out, revealing a small compartment for a memento. At first glance, the compartment appears to be lined with a white clay material but it is actually very pale metal, possibly untarnished silver.

The brooch is fitted with a period tube hinge, extended pin stem and sturdy c-clasp. The pin stem and window frame are a gold colour, most likely a base metal.

Dimensions/Weight

3 cm (1.2″) in diameter. Weight is 10 grams (035 oz).

Marks

There is a scratch mark resembling “VI” inside the compartment, but otherwise it is not marked – not unusual for Victorian jewellery.

Condition

It is in good to very good antique condition for a dimensional brooch of this age with only some slight (not deforming) dimpling to the centre dome, and a small ding at the outer end of two of the pestles. In my opinion, these do not spoil the look of the brooch, especially as it is very reflective. (Any other apparent dings are tricks of the light.)

Antique William B. Kerr Gilded Sterling Silver Griffin Brooch

Caroline — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:39:17 +0000

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This is an unusual and rare antique gilded silver griffin brooch by William B. Kerr, better known for floral and maiden designs.

The griffin was a popular late-Victorian motif, suggesting this is an early (1880-1890) Kerr brooch.

The detailing is wonderful – textural and intricate – from the horned back to the tiny scales on the griffin’s curling tail, and gnarly talons. As you can see, the brooch has not been cleaned for some time but despite this, the raised areas have remained bright and gold – evidently gilded. The brooch is fitted with a simple hinge, c-clasp and extended pin stem typical of the period.

Dimensions/Weight

The brooch is quite small – 2.5 cm (1″) wide and 3.5 cm (1 3/8″) high – a typical size for the period.

Marks

A cartouche on the reverse is stamped with the William B. Kerr maker’s mark of an axe with cross-marked handle, “STERLING” and the design number “162“.

Condition

Excellent antique condition with heavy tarnish but no damage of any kind.
The pin stem rises up to about a 45 degree angle only – presumably made this way – and remains secure in the c-clasp.

Vintage 1930s Sterling Silver & Marcasite Rocking Horse Brooch

Caroline — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:39:34 +0000

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Description

This is a wonderful little 1930s vintage rocking horse brooch in sterling silver and marcasite. It is cleverly designed to create a 3D effect – the horse’s body is slightly domed and one rocker seems to be “behind” the other. Although quite small – just 3 cm wide – it has a nicely-detailed saddle and harness with a textured mane and tail. A red glass stone for the eye adds a touch of colour.

The marcasites are neatly set and the rockers are edged with millegrain. It is fitted with a barrel-shaped rollover safety clasp.

Overall, this is a finely-made piece of jewellery with plenty of sparkle, difficult to capture in photos.

Dimensions

3 cm at widest and 2.5 cm high. (1.2″ x 1″)

Marks

Stamped “925” on the bottom rocker but there are no maker’s marks. From the workmanship and 925 mark (on a brooch of this age), I believe it was made in Germany.

Condition

This brooch is in excellent vintage condition with no missing marcasites.

Large Vintage 1950s Rhinestone ‘Artichoke’ Brooch

Caroline — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:37:07 +0000

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This is a large and unusual 1950s vintage brooch featuring two leaf shapes with the look and texture of elongated artichokes. The texture of the ‘artichokes’ is created by deep layers of overlapping navette-cut rhinestones, in cognac and olive green. They are trimmed with small amber-cloloured rounds which continue down the stems to a dainty pair of leaves, set with matching navettes.

The rhinestones are very securely prong-set and the setting is goldtone, fitted with a secure rollover safety clasp. From the position of the pin stem, the brooch would usually be worn horizontally (as above) but it sits well worn vertically too. Surprisingly for a brooch of this quality, it is not marked or signed at all.

Dimensions: 8.5 cm wide x 5 cm high (3.3″ x 2″)

Marks: None

Condition: Excellent vintage condition. A few amber rounds have darkened somewhat but otherwise, the rhinestones are bright and undamaged, with no chips to the ends of the navettes. The goldtone is in virtually mint condition.

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Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Bow & Buckle Brooch

Caroline — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:49:20 +0000

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Description

This is a late-Victorian (Aesthetic era) brooch of British origin, dating to about 1880, featuring a buckle and bow in sterling silver. It is a sentimental piece – the bow represents love and eternity; the buckle represents loyalty, strength and protection.

The ribbon appears to thread through the buckle but the buckle is actually wired onto the ribbon. It also has a lip around the edges that makes the brooch look thicker and more solid than it really is. It is fitted with a tube hinge, sturdy c-clasp and extended pin stem typical of Victorian brooches.

Dimensions/Weight

5 cm (2″) wide by 3.2 cm (1.25″) high. Weight is 7 grams (0.24 oz).

Marks

Not hallmarked – common with Victorian Jewellery – but guaranteed sterling silver.

Condition

This brooch is in good to very good antique condition with a couple of contact scratches on the top right ribbon and a pin-head sized hole in the lipped edge, but no other issues. It has not been cleaned.

Vintage Art Deco Galalith & Chrome Sceptre Brooch

Caroline — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 08:59:33 +0000

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Description

This is a classic vintage “zig Zag Moderne” Art Deco brooch dating to the late 1920s, with a sceptre or baton design. The rod of the sceptre is filled with rounded lengths of red and black Galalith secured by angled folds of metal, creating a zig-zag effect. The “jewel” at the top is a red plastic diamond, faceted and prong set. The setting is chrome-plated base metal, fitted with a simple safety-pin type clasp.

Dimensions

0.5 cm (3/16″) wide at the rod, 1 cm (3/8″) wide at the top. Overall length is 7 cm (2.75″).

Marks

There is a hand-scratched mark of “500/58” on the back, possibly a design or inventory number, but no other marks.

Condition

This vintage Art Deco brooch is in good vintage condition. The chrome plating has just a slight shade of darkening on the top prongs and some wear on the clasp. The only issue is a small blurry dark spot in the top diamond which is ingrained in the plastic, not damage, and is more noticeable in the pictures than it really is.

Edwardian Bar Brooch with Clear & Purple Pastes

Caroline — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:55:17 +0000

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Description

This is a lovely Edwardian-era bar brooch dating to about 1900, completely encrusted in tiny clear and purple pastes. The pastes are set in two long rows encircling an oval amethyst (most likely glass) at the centre, set in a finely-toothed bezel. The pastes are just 1.5 mm (0.1″) in diameter and high quality, with a lively sparkle. Despite their tiny size, the stones are prong-set – this is a well-made, quality brooch that could pass as “the real thing”.

The bezel teeth are gold toned but the rest of the metal is a silver tone, darkened between the stones. From a small goldtone patch on the back (top centre) I believe it is plated in silver or a silver-tone metal but otherwise, it is very difficult to tell. It has a simple “safety-pin” style clasp.

Dimensions

6.7 cm in length, 1.3 cm high at the centre and 0.4 cm high along the bar.
(2.6″ wide by 0.5″ and 0.2″ high).

Marks

There are no maker’s or other marks – not unusual for jewellery of this age.

Condition

This antique brooch is in very good vintage condition with no damage or missing stones.