Catalog (2449)

Very nice Staffordshire transferware plate in the “Lion” pattern from the “Quadruped” series by Hall. The plate is very finely decorated in underglaze blue with four reserves depicting zebras, goats, deer and horses, surrounding a central reserve depicting a lion. Unmarked.

Origin: England, 1820-30. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks, light discoloration on back (easily removed). Size: 10” diameter.

A fine silver tastevin inset with a 1772 silver 8 reales coin from the reign of Carlos III. The deeply-curved sides of the tastevin are decorated in a characteristically Spanish baroque style with ornate chasing and engraving. The handle is in the form of a curled dragon-like creature.

Though they were fashionable in France in the 19th century, coin tastevins only became stylish in Spain around 1950. Generally, they were made by high-end silversmiths as custom orders by clients who provided their own antique coins. In this case, the coin is an 8 reales (known colloquially as a "piece of eight") minted in Mexico City for use in the Spanish colonies and in Spain itself. The tastevin was made by the silversmith Manuel Garrido and bears the retailer's mark of Bagués, Spain's most luxurious jeweler.

Origin: Spain, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 3-1/8" diameter (excluding handle). Weight: 76.9 gr.

A handsome pair of 14k yellow gold cufflinks, the faces set with Essex crystals depicting dogs (definitely terriers, and most likely fox terriers). The dogs are colorfully painted on the reverse-carved crystal and set against mother of pearl backgrounds. The cufflinks are finished with toggle backs. The toggles are stamped “14K” and have a patent number, indicating the patent was still active when the cufflinks were made.

• Origin: America, ca. 1950.
• Dimensions: 17/32” (14 mm) diameter.
• Weight: 7.2 grams.
• Condition: excellent, no scratches or moisture damage.

A large stylized hibiscus centers this Retro 14K rose and yellow gold pendant necklace. The blossom is set at the center with a round amethyst and is flanked on either side by a pair of small rubies (typical of the period). The bold shape and color contrast make this brooch-to-necklace a most attractive and wearable piece of jewelry. The reverse is stamped 14K and has the maker’s mark for A. J. Hedges.

• Origin: America, ca 1935.
• Condition: excellent.
• Dimensions: pendant, 1-7/8 x 1-1/8”; necklace length, 19-3/4”.
• Weight: 10.9 grams.
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: amethyst, 1.0 carat; ruby, .25 carat.

A very good Classic Period glass paperweight with a pinchbeck design. The scene depicts the "Descent from the Cross" and shows two centurions, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus taking the body from the cross while Mary weeps at Jesus' feet. The pinchbeck insert is finished in a silver tone rather than the more common gold. The crystal dome is of very good quality, with excellent clarity and good optical magnification to highlight the detail of the scene. The bottom of the weight retains its original red and gilt-painted decoration.

Origin: England or Continental Europe, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent, light surface scratching at the top of the crown. Size: 2-5/16" diameter; 1-1/4" high.

An extremely rare pair of 18th century silver double-faced cufflinks set with old European cut colorless paste gemstones. The crystals are held in place in traditional cut-down settings typical of the period and the faces are joined with the quatrefoil connector almost always seen on this type of cufflink. The backs of the crystals are foiled in silver to provider a brighter appearance. Cufflinks such as these are usually broken up into two pairs of earrings, so it is quite uncommon to find a pair in original condition.

Origin: England, ca. 1780. Condition: excellent, original patina. Size: 17/32” diameter.

A lovely antique crystal plaque by Baccarat encasing a sulphide or "cameo incrustation" of the "Madonna and Child". This particular sulphide is one of the two known depictions of Mary and Jesus used by Baccarat during the classic period of paperweight production. It is a large version and shows Mary supported by a swirling cloud of angels. The back of the plaque is cut in a waffle pattern and the edges are finished in with curved gadroons. A footed cross with the same sulphide subject and gadrooned cutting can be seen in the collection of the Corning Museum of Glass. The crystal is completely free of inclusions. The plaque retains its original bronze mounting and jump ring.

Origin: France, ca. 1825. Condition: excellent; no chips or cracks; original mountings except the bail has been replaced with a wire (not visible from the front or when hanging). Dimensions: 2-15/16" x 3-11/16" (excluding mountings).

A handsome pair of Victorian 14K yellow gold cufflinks, the oval faces enhanced with translucent guilloche enamel in French blue surrounded by a raised laurel wreath border. The faces are attached by arched conectors to beanbacks. Each cufflink is stamped with Carter, Gough & Co.'s hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, no dings to gold; normal light wear to enameled surfaces visible under magnification but not apparent to the unaided eye. Dimensions: 3/4" x 1/2". Weight: 7.4 grams.

A pretty pair of Art Deco 12K yellow gold, coral and pearl tassel earrings. Lengths of gold chain studded with small pearls and coral beads hang freely from the pearl surmounts. The coral has attractive, uniform color and the semi-baroque pearls have especially bright luster. The earrings have a lot of movement when being worn and would have paired nicely with the long chains and fringed gowns fashionable in the 1920s. Tested and guaranteed 12K gold (clutches are 14K).

Origin: England, ca. 1920. Condition: excellent, except one pearl that has a flake to the nacre visible upon close inspection. Dimensions: 1-3/8" long. Weight: 3.9 grams.

An elegant pair of 18K yellow gold and amber earrings, the square cabochon amber simply set in the gold frame. The prongs holding the amber become an important part of the overall design. The amber has fine, even coloring with a tinge of red, and superb clarity. The backs are stamped for 18K and with the maker’s mark for Laboratorio Ruber, Milan.

Origin: Italy, ca. 2000. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 3/4" wide; 1-5/32” long to top of wire. Weight: 15.4 gr.

A French Retro 18K gold dragonfly brooch, the wings star-set with rubies and sapphires. The dragonfly’s body is worked in a stylized geometric design. The brooch currently has a double fur clip fastener, but would look stunning as a pendant necklace on a split chain (adding a small bail at the tip of each wing is very easy.)

• France, ca. 1935
• Excellent condition
• 1 9/16” wide & 1 3/32” long
• Weight: 6.1 grams
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: sapphire, .20 carat; ruby, .20 carat

A particularly nice Art Nouveau four-leaf clover honeymoon watch pin, the leaves beautifully enameled in shades of translucent green, yellow and rust. The 14K yellow gold crescent moon is set with a graduated row of pearls, while an old European cut diamond centers the clover. The back retains the original clasp and watch hook. In Victorian flower language, the clover symbolized "good luck." When flowers and crescents were used together, the symbolism was "honeymoon," and these were popular gifts given to new brides by either their grooms or close family. Since the meaning here is "good luck on your honeymoon," we'd have to assume that this particular pin was a gift from the bride's mother rather than from her groom. Tested and guaranteed 14K.

• Origin: America, ca 1900
• Condition: excellent, no enamel damage
• Dimensions: 1" x 1"
• Weight: 3.7 grams
• Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .025 ct

An elegant pair of double-sided cufflinks worked in 14K yellow gold and platinum. The gold oval reserves are enhanced with engine-turned engraving in a striped pattern and are surrounded by engraved platinum borders. The backs are marked “14K-Plat” and have the maker’s mark for Carter, Gough & Co.

Origin: America, ca. 1910

Condition: excellent

Dimensions: faces, 1/2" x 11/16”

Weight: 8.8 grams

An unusually heavy pair of Edwardian 14K yellow gold cufflinks, the faces worked in an intricate engine-turned design. The faces are actually round, but the designed makes them appear octagonal. The backs are marked “14K” and have an unidentified maker’s mark.

• Origin: America, ca. 1910
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: faces, 9/16” diameter
• Weight: 11.1 grams

A terrific pair of 14K yellow gold cufflinks, each fashioned as a pair of ridged spheres topped with round sapphires. The gemstones have a nice medium-light violet-blue color that contrasts nicely with the gold. Tested and guaranteed 14K.

Origin: America, ca. 1940. Condition: excellent. Size: 3/4" x 7/16". Weight: 6.4 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .392 carat.

An elegant 14K rose and yellow gold bow brooch featuring a “knot” invisibly-set calibre-cut green tourmalines. The brooch is also accented with a pair of pearls set in white gold. The tourmalines have very fine bright coloring. The golden bow is worked in both a polished surface and a micro-beaded finish. The latter is a technically difficult texture to achieve and shows the hand of a master jeweler. The back of the pin is marked “RMU” and “585” for 14K gold. The back retains the original trombone clasp.

Origin: Europe, ca. 1940. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 2-3/8” x 1-1/4”. Weight: 11.5 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .76 carat.

A very pretty mid-century wedding band, pierced in an intricate pattern of chapel bells and flowers. The band has nice width and the detail is very crisp. The interior is stamped "14K."

• Origin: America, ca 1950
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 11/32" wide
• Finger Size: 7-1/2
• Weight: 4.1 grams

A very good fruit bouquet paperweight by the New England Glass Company. Four pears alternate with cherries and foliage around a central pear. The lampwork fruit is particularly nice in this weight. The bouquet is presented against a spiraling double latticinio basket. The dome is high and offers nice magnification. The crystal is a bit sugary, as is typical of many NEGC weights. The concave base has a wide basal ring.

Origin: America, ca. 1870. Condition: excellent, absolutely minimal surface wear to the dome. Size: 2-1/2" diameter; 2-1/8" tall.