Antique Cameo Bracelet Art Deco Carved Sardonyx Shell w Sterling $ 275

Antique Cameo Bracelet Art Deco Carved Sardonyx Shell w Sterling
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Exquisite and Opulent, this authentic antique carved Sardonyx shell cameo bracelet is a very uncommon well made design. It is uncommon because it has both Art Deco and Art Noveau influences as it was made in the 1910-1920 period.

Look at the pink and white shell cameo lady; the well balanced sharp carved geometric Deco lines. Look at the elegant Art Noveau openwork floral design in the sterling silver side pieces that flank the cameo. The sterling frame around the cameo is fluted, beaded, and accented with a faceted Marcasite at center top and bottom. Also note the Art Deco sterling rectangular chain; all hand crafted.

The bracelet is a very feminine, elegant design and is 7" or 17.8 cm long. The cameo and the frame are 1 1/8" tall x 11/16" wide or 28 mm x 18 mm.

If the bracelet needs to be longer for you, you can add a custom made silver metal extension chain below. The custom made extension chain will be 1 1/2" long so the bracelet can be hooked anywhere between 7" and 8 1/2".

The entire bracelet is in spectacular pristine microscopically clean condition with no imperfections or signs of wear. The cameo is perfect with no scratches, scuffs, chips, or cracks. The sterling is perfect as well ; clean and blemish free. The bracelet is signed sterling in two places.

Comes shipped in a new luxury presentation bracelet box.

Vintage Cufflinks Swank Opalescent Stripe Glass 1970s Mens Jewelry $ 85

Vintage Cufflinks Swank Opalescent Stripe Glass 1970s Mens Jewelry
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As a vintage cufflink collector, I have seen thousands of pair of vintage cufflinks and 90% of the designs I pass by. They have to be certain styles and in superb condition to be of interest to me. Here on my website you will find one of the most unique and largest collections of vintage cufflinks for sale online. (If you are not in the mens vintage cufflink category, click on Mens Jewelry to your left).

One year, and for one year only in the early 1970s, Swank acquired some phenomenal striped and faceted large blown glass cabs from the Bohemia region. This supply of this glass was very limited and I have only seen this cufflink design in 2 different colors.

The glass cabs are long elongated ovals with three rows of triangle facets around the perimeter. The glass is opalescent white-pink-grey with black curved interior canes. Each cab is set in a silver rhodium setting with 6 prongs.

The cufflinks are large at 1 3/8" long x 5/8" tall or 33 mm x 17 mm. Both cufflinks are signed Swank. The pair is in superb condition with no signs of wear or imperfections. They are microscopically clean and only the silver rhodium on the back of the cabs show some microscopic signs of gentle handling. The glass cabs are perfect with no chips, cracks, or scratches. Under high magnification, one of the glass cabs has a tiny scratch hardly worth noting.

Comes shipped in a new cufflink presentation box as pictured.

Monet Gold Necklace Beveled Satin Gold Drapes 1950s Vintage Jewelry $ 145

Monet Gold Necklace Beveled Satin Gold Drapes 1950s Vintage Jewelry
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Recently I read Alice Vega's new book on Monet jewelry and the most astonishing thing I learned is that not only are most of the unusual vintage Monet gold necklaces hard to find, but most were made earlier than I originally thought. In addition, this necklace has a gold tassel hang tag which was used very infrequently and only on their top of the line necklaces.

This necklace was not made in the 1980s. It was made in the late 1950s or early 1960s. It has never been worn and looks like brand new. I also highly recommend buying Alice's book on Monet as it will give you insight of what styles are about to sky rocket in price.

This necklace is made of rounded square links and each link is beveled on the surface, or has a carved texture. The links are rich satin yellow gold with petite ropes finishing the top and bottom. The necklace might have a big, wide, bulky look in the photos but it is actually a slim line design and not at all heavy to wear. You can get a good indication of the link size by looking at the photo of the necklace on the model.

The necklace has the original gold metal extension chain and can be hooked up to 17 1/2" or 44.5 cm long. The links are 5/8" or 16 mm wide. If you would like the necklace to be a little bit longer, you can add a custom made gold metal extension chain below. With a 4" extender, the necklace can be hooked anywhere between 17 1/2" long to 21 1/2" long.

The necklace has the original Monet signed metal hang tag and the gold tassel hang tag. The entire necklace is in pristine microscopically clean like new condition and has never been worn. There are no imperfections or flaws and no loss of brilliant gold.

Comes shipped in a luxury presentation necklace box.

Boucher Skunk Pin Adorable Rhinestone Brooch 1950s Vintage Jewelry $85

Boucher Skunk Pin Adorable Rhinestone Brooch 1950s Vintage Jewelry
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Made in the 1950s, this " Dressed to the Nine's" adorable skunk pin was made by Marcel Boucher. It is rather difficult to collect vintage skunk pins because few were ever made, by any designer. The majority of skunk pins you will find are new, flat, enameled pins that are nothing in comparison to the quality and craftsmanship of Boucher jewelry.

One does not collect skunk pins because they admire skunks. One collects them because they are very difficult to find and because they send a message to people you will be seeing that day : Don't make me made, or I'll command my skunk to spray you!

This full bodied pin is made of thick 24kt gold plated metal with a wide stripe of tiny clear sparkling rhinestones down the skunks' back. The body is high gloss black enamel and the skunk and emerald rhinestone eyes. The tail is feathered and curved made of individual 24kt gold plated stems.

You will think that this pin is brand new because it is a rare mint condition piece. Medium petite in size, the pin is about 1 1/2" long x 7/8" wide or 40 mm x 24 mm.

The entire pin is in pristine microscopically clean condition with no imperfections or flaws. All of the rhinestones are original, present, and super sparkling. The gold and the black enamel are perfect with no signs of wear. The back has the original fine working safety clasp.

Please note that the back of the pin has the Boucher signature cartouche but the signature is very faint. It was common on many Boucher pieces that their name stamp did not make a good impression but the rectangular ribbon shape cartouche is assuredly Boucher.

Juliana Pin Delizza Elster Pink Grey Crystal Brooch Vintage Jewelry $225

Juliana Pin Delizza Elster Pink Grey Crystal Brooch Vintage Jewelry
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It is no secret among vintage jewelry collectors that Delizza and Elster was perhaps the most dominating force in superb quality designer jewelry ever in the US. I cant go into the whole history of D&E Jewelry here, but I will tell you that their design department and their preferred status with stone exporters in Europe was a huge part of their success.

This brooch exemplifies the Crème de le Crème of Juliana jewelry. This impressive design is one that is rarely found today. I have not contacted Frank Delizza about this piece but from reading his book I have been able to decipher that this brooch was most likely made in 1955 or a few years later.

This is one of D&E’s earliest colored designs, when they switched from clear crystal jewelry to colored pieces. Not only is this brooch large, but all of the stones are large as well.

This daring combination of hot pink and smokey grey crystals and stones is also set in Japanned metal, which is also something not commonly found on D&E pieces. Also, the use of table top cut German stones (the navettes) indicates the production date this brooch.

Made in the 1950s by Delizza and Elster, this super spectacular large Juliana brooch is one of the oldest and most uncommon D& E designs. Behold the incredible combination of hot pink and smokey grey crystals laced with dazzling clear rhinestone chatons. This leaf design is mostly large marquise crystals, fanned out in an elongated shape with two big hot pink faceted ovals perched at top center. Look at the back of the brooch and you can see the open work settings and the typical D&E quality construction.

Large in size, the brooch is 2 3/4“ long x 1 1/2“ wide or 70 mm x 38 mm. The navettes are about 13-14 mm long. The entire brooch is in superb condition with no imperfections or flaws.

It is very important to note that the black enamel is in like new high gloss condition with no wear. Most old Jappaned D&E brooches were worn often and were loved to death, resulting in extreme enamel wear. All of the crystals and rhinestones are original, present, and in superb sparkling condition with no facet wear. All stones are prong set. The back of the brooch has the original fine working safety clasp and the brooch is not signed, as is customary with D&E.

Austria Fruit Pin Glowing Gold Pear Brooch 1950s Vintage Jewelry $135

Austria Fruit Pin Glowing Gold Pear Brooch 1950s Vintage Jewelry
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Made in Austria in the 1950s, this crystal and rhinestone pear fruit pin is a design that is esteemed by collectors.

In Austria in the 1950s, jewelry producers made several different types of fruit pins for just a few short years that are considered today to be of the finest jewelry ever produced there. It was the use of neon like glowing Bohemian Givre glass that made their fruits come alive.

The pear fruits on this pin are molded lead crystal in vibrant yellow and gold hues. The brooch is Jappaned metal, or black enamel, and the long slender leaves are deep Peridot crystal navettes, faceted and prong set. The leaves are also embellished with sparkling Citrine rhinestone chatons.

Medium in size, the brooch is 2 3/8“ long x 1 1/2“ wide or 58 mm x 40 mm. The pear cabs are 23 mm long.

It is very uncommon to find an Austrian fruit pin in superb condition like this one. The entire brooch is in superb clean condition with no imperfections, flaws, or signs of wear. The pear cabs are perfect with no scratches, scuffs, or chips. All of the other rhinestones and crystals are original, present, and sparkling with sharp facets. There is no black enamel wear; not even on a microscopic level. The back of the brooch has a regular C clasp without safety closure.

Antique Gold Locket 12kt GF Diamond Etched Large Antique Pendant $235

Antique Gold Locket 12kt GF Diamond Etched Large Antique Pendant
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This beautiful antique gold locket is a very special piece. It was made during the Edwardian era and it is special because it is loaded with gorgeous intricate detail on the face.

The engraved flower and ribbon design is deeply beveled and this process was accomplished with a diamond tip engraving tool. The locket is also rather large in size and will accommodate large photos.

The locket jump ring is signed 12kt GF. The locket is 1 3/8" tall x 1 1/8" wide or 35 mm x 27 mm. The inside has the original clear plastic photo protectors and places for two photos. The necklace has the original gold filled antique chain that is 24" or 61 cm long.

The interior of the locket looks like new. The face is in excellent clean and polished condition with no gold wear or loss of gold. The back of the locket has microscopic light signs of very gentle wear commensurate with age.

Comes shipped in a new silk lined luxury presentation necklace box.

1929 Silver Indian Head Nickel Arrowhead Necklace Vintage Jewelry $75

1929 Silver Indian Head Nickel Arrowhead Necklace Vintage Jewelry
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This vintage mens necklace was made in the 1960s and features a nice quality Indian Head Nickel that is dated 1929.

There were several significant events in 1929 I recall : Herbert Hoover was inaugurated as president and authorized the building of the Hoover Dam; the first telephone was installed in the White House; Lou Gehrig hit 3 consecutive home runs against the Detroit Tigers and Roy Riegels ran 69 yards the wrong way on a fumble recovery in the Rose bowl.

This arrowhead pendant is very weighty and is made of bright silver rhodium metal. This arrowhead design was popular in the 1960s at American Indian tourist attractions but it is something that you don't see anymore.

The heavy pendant is 1 7/8" tall x 1 1/8" wide or 26 mm x 30 mm. The silver metal chain is 19" or 48 cm long. Unsigned, the pendant and the chain are both in pristine clean condition with no imperfections or flaws. The coin has little to no wear with no scratches, dings, or scuffs.

NAPIER Earrings SUPERB Silver Amethsyt Dangles 1950s Vintage Jewelry $95

NAPIER Earrings SUPERB Silver Amethsyt Dangles 1950s Vintage Jewelry 
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NAPIER Earrings SUPERB Silver Amethsyt Dangles 1950s Vintage Jewelry
These signed Napier vintage earrings are a spectacular collectors pair!

Made in the late 1940s or early 1950s, these unique dangles are rare to find Napier earrings. The earrings are signed Napier without copyright, or pre-1955.

This timeless Art Nouveau scroll design is made of sterling plated metal, and all the components are sterling plate. The earrings look like solid sterling silver as Napier used very thick plating techniques. The admirable crystals are quality Austrian Amethyst crystals that are heavy, old, premium crystals due to their high lead content. The faceted oval crystals on the ear posts are 10 mm long and the faceted dangling rounds are 8 mm.

The earrings are clips and they are the slender lever style that are comfortable to wear. They are 2" or 50 mm long. Both earrings are in exceptional pristine clean like new condition. They have been professionally cleaned by me so you can wear them in sparkling like new condition right away. All of the crystals are in flawless condition with no scratches, chips, cracks, or facet wear. The oval crystals on the ear posts are prong set. The clips are in perfect working order and both earrings are signed Napier.

French Pink Gripoix Glass Earrings Bead Clusters 1930s Vintage Jewelry $75

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French Pink Gripoix Glass Earrings Bead Clusters 1930s Vintage Jewelry
These very unique screw back earrings are made of pink glass beads that were made in Gripoix, France. Gripoix was famous for glass beads of exceptional quality and many top US designers like Miriam Haskell, Robert DeMario, and others imported their beads.

Made in the 1930-1940 era, this cluster dangle style earrings have light rose pink glass beads that are opalescent and semi-translucent. Each bead is individually hand wired with thick brass head pins. The screw backs are brass and the ear posts are adorned with a matching pink glass dome bead.

Medium in size and not heavy to wear, the earrings are 2" long x 3/4" wide or 51 mm x 19 mm. The beads are 6.3 mm. The pair is in pristine clean condition with no imperfections or flaws. All of the glass beads are perfect with no signs of wear, scratches, chips, or cracks. The earrings are not signed.

14kt Gold Snake Ring Burmese Ruby Sapphire Citrine Vintage Jewelry $575

SOLD

This alluring 14kt gold Egyptian Revival snake ring is exceptional quality and it was custom made. The ring is a fixed size 9 and it was originally made for a man but of course, it can be worn by a woman as well.

The snake has striking dark red eyes made of marquise faceted Burmese Rubies. The V section of the head is set with deep blue Sapphires in faceted round cuts. The two long sections of the snake body are set with light yellow Citrines, faceted rounds as well. All of the gemstones are recessed in smooth prong settings and are perfectly and individually gem set.

If you look at the photos of the interior of the ring you can see the geometric snake pattern in 14kt gold. The custom reptilian way in which the ring was made on the interior is something I have never seen in another snake ring.

The ring is signed by the maker JOP who must have been a custom jewelry designer of European or Asian origin as the ring is also signed 585. It is solid 14kt gold and weighs 7.4 grams.

I have owned this ring since the mid 1980s but the ring was made in the 1970s. I cherish this ring and when I first got it, I wore it twice. Both times it was noticed by several people who said, " Eeww! You are wearing a snake!" Of course, my reply was, " Thats right! Dont mess with me, and dont tread on me!" It is obvious that you have to have a certain type of personality to wear and snake ring and love it!

Technically, the ring is Egyptian Revival, from the 1970s Revival when King Tuts tomb was on tour. It relates to the legend that Cleopatra committed suicide by the use of asps, which is actually not true, but he legend remains. After I wore this ring twice, I realized that I never wanted anything to happen to it so I stored it away. It has taken me almost 4 decades to decide to sell it.


This ring is in spectacular pristine like new condition. There are no signs of wear and no imperfections to any of the gemstones. The ring is microscopically clean and the gold is brilliant and bright. There is no wear on the ring band or around the sides. The entire ring is very perfect.

Burmese Lady Face Pin Enameled Wood 1930s Vintage Jewelry $85

SOLD

This is a very old, very rare, Burmese Lady face pin. The vibrant hand painted colors are extravagant!

This ethic lady is made of light weight wood and was made in Asia in the 1930-1940 era. I sincerely doubt you will ever see another pin like this one!

The face and headdress are very 3D dimensional and the enamels are glossy and alive. The enamels are so glossy that the piece looks like plastic but, if you are familiar with the old types of lead based enamels used on Russian wood pins, then you will know how rich and colorful the enamels are. The enamels are cobalt, bright green, red, orange, yellow, and metallic gold.

The face area is black and flesh and the lady has bright red lips. She has an exotic ethnic collar and head dress, and ethnic earrings as well.
This lady is very impressive in character however she is rather petite in size. She measures 1 1/2" tall x 7/8" wide or 3.8 cm x 2.3 cm. The wood is very thick at 3/8" or 1 cm deep.

Unsigned, the back of the pin is finished in bright green enamel and the pin has the original fine working C clasp. Even under a loupe or a magnifying glass, you will not find any imperfections. The enamels are perfect with no signs of wear, chips, or crazing. The entire pin is perfectly clean and bright.

Antique Flapper Necklace Czech Gold n Blue Seed Beads 1920s Jewelry $140

SOLD

This 1920s hand made flapper necklace is made in old world colors. Deep rich gold was a popular Czech seed bead color in the 1920s yet it is rarely found.

Home cottage industries, bead makers who worked for large glass firms in the Bohemia region, were commissioned to make necklaces by hand such as this one. They made two styles of necklaces; long ropes with tassel ends and repeating pattern medallion necklaces like this one.

The majority of the beads are gold. This is an old world gold that is semi translucent with gold foil lining. The color is not bright yellow gold but rather a deep rich gold with hints of Citrine and Topaz that could be called Autumn Gold.
The necklace is one continuous loop and along the strand are 8 diamond shaped medallions. The medallions are trimmed in Royal Blue metallic seed beads and the medallions have diamond patterns in Royal Blue as well. The beads on these medallions is a slightly different shade of gold as these seed beads are copper foil lined. The matching medallion is finished with a cluster of tassel loops.

This necklace was made on a loom and all of the beads were sewn with black silk cotton thread. The tread is a triple strength and very strong and all of the beads are tight. This type of thread is very durable and does not stretch.

The strand portion of the necklace is 27" or 68 cm long and the tassel medallion hangs down another 3 1/4" or 8.5 cm long. The necklace will hang at the mid bust line on most women. The strand is 1" or 2.5cm wide.
This necklace is in spectacular unworn condition. It is pristine and microscopically clean all over and all of the beads are present and tight with no imperfections. The necklace lays nice and flat and is not signed.

Art Deco French Glass Flapper Necklace 1920s Antique Jewelry $245

SOLD

I truly admire this sensational old necklace because all of the beads sooo pretty and luminous, and very rare.

This necklace dates from the 1920-1930 era and the beads are French Gripoix glass. Gripoix glass is very unique and is called Gripoix after the city they were made in. They are lamp worker blown beads and the tiny air bubbles inside creates a spectacular glowing effect even in dim light. Pink and blue, and pink and green Gripoix glass beads were popular color combinations for Deco flapper necklaces.

There are two shapes of light pink super translucent beads. All are twisted with concave impressions and the diamond and rectangular shapes alternate consistently. The very luminous pink beads are 10mm and 15 mm long. The green glass beads are bright sea green or spring green. The glass is super translucent with pulled white canes inside. There are two shapes of green beads : 7 mm round and 17 mm long candy shapes.

The necklace is 56" or cm long and can be looped twice around the neck. All of the glass beads are spaced with tiny silver ball beads and the green candy shapes are flanked with filigree bell caps. The necklace has the original brass spring clasp, in perfect working order.

This necklace is in spectacular unworn condition. All of the glass beads are microscopically clean and perfect with no chips or other imperfections. The tiny silver ball beads and the filigree bell caps have a darkened patina from age. The thick white silk cord is in good strong condition, commensurate with age.

I offer restringing services if you prefer to have this necklace restrung on new Acculon, which is very strong Teflon coated stainless steel wire. Whether I restring the necklace or you do, I recommend that it should be restrung at some point so you can be assured the necklace will never break. It is important to protect rare Gripoix glass beads such as these the best you can. Necklace cord that is almost a century old must be treated with the utmost care.

Art Deco Necklace Porcelain Lady Medallion 1970s Vintage Jewelry $145

SOLD

Made in the 1970s, fine quality Art Deco lady porcelain necklaces were popular for a short time as there was a revival of Art Deco and Art Nouveau jewelry when I was a teenager.

I went to a private school where everyone was encouraged to wear their most fashionable attire and dressing for school each day was something I did the night before, never wearing the same jewelry from one day to the next. I didn't own this necklace then, but I had one very similar that was one of my all time favorites!

This necklace is a quality piece made of big round white glass beads, glossy black ceramic tube beads, and satin matt Lavender porcelain beads. The domed pentagonal pendant is thick ivory glazed porcelain. The Deco lady profile sports a wide brim has with metallic gold accents. The fan design is back and grey with metallic gold accents as well.

The necklace is 24 1/2" or 61 cm long and is finished with a gold metal lobster clasp. The large medallion pendant is 2 3/4" or 7 cm wide. The milk glass beads are 10 mm and 15 mm and the black tube beads are 20 mm long.

This entire necklace is in pristine like new condition. it is microscopically clean with no signs of wear or other imperfections. The clear coat on the medallion is perfect with no scratches. The jump ring is signed Japan but the gold metal components were probably imported as this necklace was most likely made in the USA.

Gothic Bird Necklace Big Pewter Phoenix or Eagle 1970s Vintage Jewelry $110

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Vintage 1970s big pewter medallions are very hard to find, let alone one like this very ornate crowned Phoenix bird or Eagle.

This pendant is a true hippie piece and although it was originally made for older women, it is now a design that is more popular with men.
The eagle or phoenix bird is made in two sections and the legs and tail feathers move independently from the upper body. The piece is stacked and layered and the design is very celtic or gothic. The bird even has a clear rhinestone crown.

This bird is very impressive in size at 3 1/4" tall x 3" wide or 8.5 cm x 7.5 cm. You can get a better indication of the size by looking at the photo of the bird in my hand. The pewter has a wonderful patina and the metal is perfectly clean with no dings or other imperfections. The original 22" or 55 cm double link silver metal chain is a chromium plated.

The pendant is not signed, but I think I know who made this piece. It is so unique, it had to be made by Bergamot. Bergamont made all those incredible big belt buckles in brass and pewter that you remember from the 1970s like deer, elk, geese, horses, etc.

Bergamot had its humble beginning in Fox River Grove, Illinois in September, 1970. The first "factory" was a 10' x 14' smokehouse that rented for $35.00 a month! Over the years the company has grown to be considered the premier Art Foundry of it's type in the world. Located in Delavan Wisconsin, the factory now encompasses 100,000 square feet, is three blocks long, with 100 dedicated employees.

Egyptian Revival Necklace Lapis Blue Metallic Wood 1970s Vintage Jewelry $75

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Made in the late 1970s or early 1980s, this Egyptian Revival style necklace is a most unusual collar necklace.

The necklace is made of carved wood beads finished with satin metallic paint in deep Lapis blue. The collar has 5 pyramid or trapezoid pendants spaced by polished gold metal arches. The rest of the necklace is made of medium round beads about 12 mm each, with four gold metal band beads.

The necklace is 19" or 48 cm long and is finished with a large gold metal lobster clasp. The trapezoids are 1 3/8" or 3.2 cm long x 1" or 2.5 cm wide at the bottoms.

Unsigned, the entire necklace is in microscopically clean condition and has been very well cared for. There are no signs of age or wear except for some scant and tiny light microscopic scratches on the tops of 2 of the trapezoids. Because the Lapis finish is lightly marbled, the scratches blend in and are not noticeable.

Alice Caviness Pearl Necklace Earrings w Rhinestone Gold Leaves Vintage Jewelry $245

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This designer signed Alice Caviness necklace and earring parure is probably one of the last 1990's designs made before they went out of business in 1997. This is a formal set but it can also be dressed down for more relaxed occasions.

This collar style necklace is made of two strands of acrylic lustrous white disk pearls spaced every 1 1/2" with sparkling clear rhinestone rhondells. The large gold leaf medallion is stacked and layered and brilliantly textured in micro-nugget rose gold metal. Each leaf has a clear rhinestone row down the center rib.

The necklace is a unique design as the top strand of pearls hangs in a V shape and the lower strand of pearls hangs in a double swag. The matching clip earrings are a single leaf design.

The necklace can be hooked between 18" and 20" long or 45 cm to 50 cm. The original matching pearl extension chain is in place and the pearl strands are finished with rhinestone clad silver rhodium findings. The gold leaf medallion is 3" long x 2" wide or 7.5 cm x 5 cm and is not heavy to wear. The clip earrings are 1 1/2" long x 1" wide or 3.8 cm x 2.5 cm.

This parure is in pristine like new never worn condition.
The entire set is microscopically clean and brilliant. All of the pearls and the gold are perfect and all of the rhinestones are original, present, and sparkling clear. The necklace and the earrings are signed Alice Caviness. The signature not the earrings is plain to read but the signature on the necklace is a faint impression; just how it was made.
Shipped gift wrapped and in new luxury presentation necklace and earring boxes.

Bavarian Pin Intaglio Glass Metallic Flower Brooch 1940s Vintage Jewelry $175

SOLD
If the photo of this pin has you intrigued, and you love old glass jewelry like Camphor or Lalique glass, read on: because Im probably the only person on the internet who can tell you about the origins of this pin. It is very precious and rare.

This pin was made in Bavaria after World War II in a region called Neu-Gablonz, or close to Ausburg. In 1991, a German woman published a book on Bohemian glass, filled with the history of glass making in this region. In her book she depicts painted intaglio glass domes that were made in Bavaria in the 1940s and 1950s.

She attributes the intaglio glass method to German Johann Friedrich Reiffenstein (1719-1793) who in 1766, achieved cameo incrustations or sulfides. Look at the last photo above which is copy of the photo that portrays these intaglio glass cabs from the Bohemian glass book. ( Click on the title above to go to the website to see more photos.)I have seen various motifs of these pins. Sometimes peacocks or butterflies, but most are roses and other flowers, and some rare to find Oriental water lilies (which I have a couple in my collection and for sale here on this site.)

Most of the reverse painted intaglio pins I have seen are in poor condition, having been mistreated and not cared for properly, resulting in cracked and chipped glass cabs and moisture damaged faded paints. These glass cabs do not like to be left in bright light for long lengths of time and they do not like high humidity, which will also cause the paints to fade and black spots behind the glass will form.

This elegant bar style pin has three round glass cabs and the glass and the paints are in pristine condition. The paints have a metallic luster creating a silver shimmering effect on the flowers and leaves. The roses are yellow and red-orange and the Gerber daisies are bright pink and silver. One flower in between, at a profile angle, is silver indigo blue. The leaves are blended colors of browns and greens.

Look at the pin from the side angle photo and you can see the old gold gilt brass crown style settings. The back of the pin is gold gilt brass with the original C Clasp. Some collectors might be fooled dating this piece by the C clasp, commonly used before the mid 1930s, but this brooch was assuredly made in the mid to late 1940s.

The pin is medium in size and the thick glass domes make the flowers jump out in a 3D fashion. The pin is 2 1/16" long x 7/8" tall or 5.3 cm x 2.3 cm. The large glass dome is 23 mm and the two smaller domes are 16 mm.

This pin is in superb condition for a piece such as this. It has been extremely well cared for and all of the paints are bright and not faded and do not have any damage from sunlight or moisture. The pin is very clean and there is no dirt or verdigris anywhere and the gold gilt and brass metal is not worn or damaged, only some very light age spots. The glass cabs do not have any scratches, chips, or other imperfections.

Now, if you ever come across a reverse painted intaglio glass pin similar to this, you will know where it came from, when it was made, and how to evaluate the condition. If the pin is in poor or damaged condition, it is not worth anything and will not appreciate in value.

Italian Pin The World on the Moon Serenade Brooch 1950s Vintage Jewelry $95

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It is easy to fall in love with this rare vintage 1950s " World on the Moon" Italian pin.

This theme pin represents the Italian Opera "Mondo della Luna" and this pin was most likely only sold at Opera houses in Italy and was not made for export. You might look your whole life and never find another pin like this one as production was very limited.

The pin has the orignal paper price hang tag that reads Made in Italy, and the hand written price of 795 Lira. To the best of my calculations, in 1950's Italy, this pin cost a little less than a buck and a half; a token memento from the Opera. Imagine being able to go the opera today and get anything for a buck fifty ! That wont buy a pack of gum!

The pin is made of brilliant 24kt gold plated metal. It is a thin plating, similar to the way in which Spanish Damascene jewelry was made. The gold metal is pierced with tiny die stamp details that creates a very rich, elegant look : another technique very similar to Damascene jewelry.

The man is sereanding the lady with a mandolin and the lady wears an big hoop Victorian dress and holds a fancy fan in her hand. A moonlight serenade, as the lovers sit in a dreamy light blue enameled crescent moon.

The pin is medium in size at 1 3/4" wide x 1 1/2" tall or 4.4 cm x 3.8 cm. The entire pin is in pristine clean like new unworn condition with no imperfections. The back has the original fine working C clasp.