Catalog (2449)

An elegant set of six sterling silver demitasse spoons by English silversmith William Suckling, Ltd. The handles are simply decorated with an acanthus bud. The bowls are slightly broader and more balloon-shaped than the typical demitasse spoon, so they could easily be used for delicate desserts. The set is presented in its original velvet- and silk-lined fitted case. Each spoon is fully hallmarked for the maker and for the year 1945. A set such as this must have quite the rare luxury in the final year of World War II.

• Origin: London, 1945.
• Dimensions: spoons, 3 13/16" long.
• Weight: 58.2 grams.
• Condition: both the spoons and case appear to be unused.

A handsome pair of double-sided cufflinks featuring oval carnelian cabochons simply set in 14K yellow gold mountings. The carnelians have exceptionally rich color and translucency, creating a particularly striking look. Each cufflink is stamped "585" for 14K and also with an unidentified European maker's mark "FA".

• Origin: Continental Europe, ca. 1940.
• Dimensions: faces, 1/2" x 11/16".
• Weight: 9.5 grams.
• Condition: excellent.

A lovely boxed set of sterling silver coffee or demitasse spoons in the “Harlequin” pattern. Each spoon features and stem and finial in a different floral form (L-R “Wild Rose”, “Goldenrod”, “Calla Lily”, “Hollyhock”, “Apple Blossom”, “Tea Rose”, “Water Lily” and “Forget-me-not”). The designs are beautifully worked. The bowls are parcel gilt. Each spoon is hallmarked. They are presented in their original box with an illustrated guide (dated 1948) to the patterns inside the lid.

• Origin: America, 1948
• Condition: excellent; box has normal age-appropriate wear
• Dimensions: 4” long
• Weight: 81.7 grams

A handsome sterling silver rollover jigger by Cartier. The jigger's two arms rest across the top of a glass or cocktail shaker. After filling, it's simply flipped over the empty the contents without making a mess. The bottom is marked "Cartier Sterling", indicating it would have been sold at Cartier's flagship New York store.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Condition: excellent, no dings
• Dimensions: 5-13/16" wide
• Weight: 47.8 grams

A fine Retro leaf brooch worked in 14K yellow gold and platinum set with diamonds and sapphires. The curved leaf is lightened by the use of wire construction, a technique often seen in French jewelry of the period. The lower edge of the wire leaf is enhanced with antique cushion and old European cut diamonds, and the upper edge with a row of blue sapphires. Two larger old European diamonds are nestled among the solid leaves to one side. The three largest diamonds range from .55 to .30 carat. All are SI1 clarity I-J color. The sapphires have bright pure blue color and eye-clean clarity. The design is versatile and the pin can be worn horizontally with the wire leaf to the left or vertically with the wire leaf at the bottom.

The use of such a range of antique diamond cuts in a piece of this era suggests that the pin was custom-made using diamonds (and possibly the gold) from one of the client's older jewels. This was a common practice during the shortages of World War II. The pinstem is stamped "14K."

• Origin: America, ca 1948
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 1-23/32" x 1-1/8"
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, 1.66 carats; sapphire, .46 carat.
• Weight: 7.5 grams

A wonderful, generously-sized Retro period 14K yellow gold charm or pendant depicting a spaniel. The dog is finely detailed and is offset with sparkling blue sapphire eyes. Ruser, the foremost Beverly Hills jeweler of his time, was a favorite of Loretta Young and Joan Crawford. His famous line of poodle jewels were inspired by Crawford's poodles. Other breeds of dogs are exceedingly rare. The back is marked "14K" and is signed "Ruser."

• Origin: America, ca. 1945
• Condition: excellent; all original
• Dimensions: 1-1/4" wide; 1-3/4" long (excluding bail); 1/2" deep
• Weight: 19.9 grams

A delightful Retro period 14K gold charm or pendant depicting "Thursday's Child" by William Ruser. The charm is finely detailed. According to the poem, Thursday's Child has "far to go" so Ruser depicted the naked child walking along a natural freshwater pearl carrying a traveling sack of belongings. The use of freshwater pearl is a classic Ruser touch. The child's eyes are set with blue sapphires. The back is signed and is marked "14K."

Ruser, the formost Beverly Hills jewelry of his time, was a favorite of Loretta Young and Joan Crawford. He is best know for his depictions of dogs (particularly poodles) and waif-like children in various poses.

• Origin: America, ca. 1945
• Condition: excellent; all original
• Dimensions: 1-5/16" x 1-5/8" (excluding bail)
• Weight: 15.8 grams

An elegant pair of Retro 18K yellow gold earrings shaped as bows. Each of the dangling ribbons suspends an old European cut diamond. The diamonds are graded J color and I1 clarity. These earrings would look just as good with jeans as they would a cocktail dress. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

• Circa 1940
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 1" x 9/16"
• Weight: 7.0 grams
• Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .4 carat

Rare vintage sterling silver figural jigger in the form of wing-handled fire bucket. The side is engraved “Fire Water.” Figural jiggers gained popularity in the Art Deco era. The bottom is marked “Lunt Sterling 15”.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Dimensions: 2” tall to rim, 2-3/4” to top of handle
• Weight: 34.6 grams

A rare Art Deco mechanical "Trap Jigger" in chrome with red bakelite accents made by Fay. When the arms of the filled jigger are rested on the rim of a glass or jigger a plunger inside is forced up to allow the liquid to pour out the bottom.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 2-1/2" tall when closed; 3-3/16" wide at handle

A classic pair of French 18K yellow gold cufflinks in a variation of the “mors de filet” or “snaffle” design. Each of the flip-up ends is pierced in a woven design. Each cufflink is fully hallmarked and has the master goldsmith's mark for Gaetan de Percin.

• Origin: France, ca. 1955

• Condition: excellent, all original

• Dimensions: 9 x 16 mm (5/8 x 3/8 in)

• Weight: 9.9 grams

A lovely antique 14K yellow gold floral wide band depicting twining branches of roses, each set with a ruby at the center of the petals. The flowers are separated by round brilliant cut diamonds. The band is finished with scalloped edges. The diamonds range from SI1 to I1 with G color. As is typical of the wartime period, the gold has generous weight and the rubies are synthetic. The interior is stamped with “14K” and with an unidentified American maker’s mark.

• Origin: America, ca 1945
• Condition: very good, typical surface wear to rubies
• Finger Size: 6
• Dimensions: 3/8” wide
• Weight: 6.2 grams
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: ruby, .5 carat; diamond, .18 carat

A delightful set of six vintage composition turkey place card holders for the Thanksgiving table. Each turkey is brilliantly decorated in colorful paint including a metallic silver that adds touch of realism to the feathers. Each is stamped "U.S. Zone Germany" indicating they were made between 1945 and 1952. Origin: Germany, 1945-52

• Condition: excellent; the paper covering at the bottom of one has been opened; two 1/16" paint nicks to one turkey
• Dimensions: 2-1/8" tall

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 marvelous pair of Retro Moderne 18K yellow gold dress clips formed as a bouquet of diamond-studded platinum flowers, the stems tied with a ribbon set with calibre-cut rubies, all against a scrolled gold background. Buds represented by diamonds set in platinum and rubies set in gold are scattered around the flowers. The design is quite sophisticated and the stones are of very nice quality. The clips are perfectly sized—one worn alone isn’t so small that it gets lost, but the two worn together aren’t overwhelming, either. The pair can be worn on jacket lapels or on either side of a dress neckline. The backs retain the original hinged double-prong coat clip and anchor pin often seen on better French jewelry of the period. A good jeweler could convert the clips to be worn as either pierced or clip-back earrings. Tested and guaranteed 18K gold and platinum.

Origin: probably America, ca. 1940.

Condition: excellent, all original.

Size: 1-1/4” x 3/4".

Weight: 16.5 grams.

Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, .9 carat; ruby, .6 carat.

A terrific pair of Art Deco double-sided cufflinks in 14K yellow and white gold by Harvey Avedon. The front faces feature a white gold circle engraved in a pattern of off-center concentric circles surrounded by a yellow gold border. The yellow gold back faces are decorated in a matching pattern of concentric circles. The design is typical of the strong geometric motifs used by Avedon from the late 1940s on. He was a maker of fine cufflinks, lighters and other men's accessories. Avedon was featured by many upscale retailers including Tiffany & Co.The connectors are marked “Avedon” and “14K”.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Condition: excellent, all original
• Dimensions: faces, 3/4” diameter; back faces, 9/16” diameter
• Weight: 20.5 grams

A fun vintage 14K yellow gold tie bar by Richardson & Co. in the form of a baseball bat. Figural tie bars, often doubling as money clips, were popular from the 1930s to the 50s. They were often sporting themes, such as skis, golf clubs, and fishing rods, but this is the first baseball bat we’ve seen. The back is stamped “14K” and also has Richardson’s hallmark.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 2-5/8” long
• Weight: 4.8 grams

A vintage pair of 14K gold double-sided cufflinks, the faces set with blue sapphires by Tiffany & Co. The faces are engraved in a geometric rayed pattern for a little extra sparkle. The faces are joined by bar connectors, one of which is marked “Tiffany & Co.” Tested and guaranteed 14K.

• Origin: America, ca. 1950
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 5/8” diameter
• Approximate Total Sapphire Weight: .60 carat
• Weight: 14.1 grams

A chunky French tank bracelet worked in rose and yellow gold. The 1937 World’s Fair gave rise to a fashion for “tank jewelry,” so called for its perceived resemblance to the treads of armored tanks. This bracelet features angular ridges alternating with rounded elements that creates a woven visual effect. The angular segments are reeded, and the center reed of each is stippled for textural interest and is worked in bright yellow gold to contrast with the rose tint of the rest of the bracelet. The tongue of the clasp is marked with French 18K marks and an unidentified master goldsmith’s mark.

• Origin: France, ca 1940
• Dimensions: 13/16” x 7-1/2”
• Weight: 56.0 grams
• Condition: excellent, no dings

A colorful orange and white bakelite dice holds a set of six chrome cocktail picks, each with a dice finial in this Art Deco set. The cocktail pick holder (“porte-piques”) was once a fixture of every French bar or café. Today, they can be used to spear cocktail olive or cherries, or to serve small hors d’oeuvres.

• Origin: France, ca. 1930
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 1-1/2” x 1-1/2” x 3-3/4”

A nice vintage pulp jack o'lantern with the original paper insert. The paint is bright.

• Origin: America, ca 1940
• Condition: very good, a dented area over one eye, a crack at the back that appears to be stable, no burn marks
• Dimensions: 4-1/2" tall excluding wire handle

An outstanding 18K gold pendant set with an amazing enameled alpine scene by Carlo Poluzzi (1899-1978), the greatest Swiss enamellist of the the 20th century. Poluzzi sometimes used the very difficult technique of applying translucent enamel over an engraved gold plate to produce brilliant sunrise or set effects as seen in the left side of the sky in this example. This required multiple coats of different colored enamels which increased the likelihood of unwanted cracks during the multiple firings. Poluzzi was perhaps the only enamellist capable of this technique in the 20th century, and indeed, the scene is signed at the lower left. Of course, this example is also signed at the lower left. In the 1920s, Poluzzi (still in his low 20s) became the master of Emaux de Genève, the provider of the highest quality enameled dials and cases for luxury horlogers such as Vacheron & Constantin, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Gubelin. This plaque is set as a pendant by the Gubelin. The Holbein-style setting features square cut rubies and emeralds amid swirling gold foliage. The gemstones are of very fine quality with intense, saturated coloring and excellent clarity. The reverse is stamped with Gubelin’s hallmark and the Swiss gold mark for 18K.

• Origin: Switzerland, ca. 1945
• Condition: excellent, no enamel damage
• Dimensions: 1-5/8” x 1-7/16”
• Weight: 26.6 grams
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: ruby, .8 carat; emerald, .47 carat

A 14K gold and natural ruby Retro figural brooch worked in fashioned as a stem of cherries. The fruit are fully three-dimensional and set with round unheated natural rubies. The design is finished with a gnarly branch and a pair of gold leaves. The rubies have fine clarity and intense color, without the pinkish cast frequently seen in rubies in Retro pieces. The back retains the original pinstem and clasp marked “14K”.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 3-3/16” x 1-7/8”
• Approximate Total Ruby Weight: 4.2 carats
• Weight: 28.0 grams

A very good Retro tank ring worked in 14K yellow gold and platinum set with diamonds and natural sapphires (natural sapphires in a Retro ring are rather unusual). The larger diamonds (.40 ct, .25 ct, and .25 ct) are all old European cuts. The smaller stones are single cuts. The ring is broad across the finger and is laid out in a very geometric style typical of tank jewelry. The diamonds I color and VS2 clarity. The sapphires show no indication of heat treatment. It is very uncommon to have natural colored stones in a piece or Retro jewelry. The back of the shank is stamped with French import marks for 14K gold and platinum.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Condition: excellent, all original
• Dimensions: crown, 7/8” x 5/8”; shank tapers to 7/32” at the back
• Weight: 11.3 grams
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, 1.5 carats; sapphire, .44 carat.

A very pretty pierced wedding band depicting rose gold Tudor roses alternating with yellow gold clusters of cherries. Each rose is centered with a synthetic ruby. Rubies from the Retro period are almost always synthetics because the mining of natural rubies was not possible during World War II. The design is very crisp. Tested and guaranteed 14K.

• Origin: America, ca. 1940
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 9/32" wide
• Finger Size: 6-1/2
• Weight: 4.6 grams
• Approximate Total Ruby Weight: .28 carat

A very handsome Retro bracelet worked in rose and yellow gold links enhanced with engraving in a snakeskin texture. The color contrast is very attractive, and the links are made in such a way that the bracelet drapes very nicely on the wrist. The box clasp is stamped with Italian gold marks of the period and the goldsmith’s registry number 1 TO for Antica Ditta Marchisio (now Mattioli Gioielli). Founded in 1860, the house is the oldest jeweler in Torino, Italy, and was a maker for several luxury jewelry houses including Cartier.

• Origin: Italy, 1934-40
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 11/16” wide; 8-3/8” long
• Weight: 53.6 grams

An interesting late Retro 14K yellow gold bracelet worked as a series of sextupled cable links that are slightly flattened so they splay out sideways to create a wide bracelet with a sort of optical illusion effect. The clasp is decorated so the bracelet appears seamless when being worn. The open link design makes this a perfect bracelet to wear on its own or with chunky, heavy charms. The interior of the clasp is marked “14K.”

• Origin: America, ca. 1950
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 5/8” wide; 7” long
• Weight: 38.2 grams

Lithographed tin Halloween tambourine featuring a leering Devil head surrounded with little dancing devils. The devil is red against a bright yellow background. The sides and cymals are orange with black trim. Marked along top edge "Kirchhof 'Life of the Party' Products/Kirchhof, Newark, N.J., Made in USA" Origin: America, ca. 1940s. Size: 6.5" diameter. Condition: very good, particularly the bright coloring; some scratches near the devil's eyes.

Colorful pottery sardine box decorated with all manner of seashells in shades of brown, red, blue and grey. The bottom is marked "Handpainted Occupied Japan" around a peacock logo.

Origin: Japan, ca. 1945-52. Condition: excellent. Size: 5" x 3-3/4" x 2-3/4".

Six 17th century style sterling silver coffee spoons in the original velvet and satin lined box. The finials are in the shape of globe artichokes. Each spoon is fully hallmarked for London, 1946. Both the spoons and the box are in mint condition. Spoons 4" long.

Lovely glass paperweight button featuring a swirled pink and white rose set off by three green leaves and adventurine on an opaque white ground.

Origin:Possibly Charles Kaziun, Brockton, Mass., ca. 1950s but more likely Czechoslovokia, 1920's. Charles Kaziun produced this same style paperweight button with 4 leaves instead of three and with a looped wire shank without a shankplate. Condition: mint. Size: 7/16" diam.

Excellent squat Rookwood vase with raised decoration featuring large three-leaf clovers and flowers. The flowers, particularly, are molded in fairy high relief, so that the glaze is thinner over the tips of the petals, creating lovely shading. The glaze is shiny, but with an orange peel texture, and is colored a medium chocolate brown. The bottom is marked with Rookwood's impressed mark and the date letters "XLV", the pattern number "6352" and the decorator's number "23" scratched into the glaze.

Origin: American, 1945. Condition: mint; no glaze crazing. Size: 5" diam.; 3-1/2" tall.

Sterling silver and 14 karat gold bangle bracelet, set with three pearls and three rubies, each mounted in yellow gold. The gems are set equidistant from one another. The pearls are deeply lustrous and have a fine, faint pink tint. The pear-shaped rubies are also of good color and clarity. The pearls are 6mm in diameter; the rubies are approximately 4mm x 2mm. Ca. 1950's.

Sterling silver master butter knife in Westmoreland's 1940 "Milburn Rose" pattern. The reverse is fully hallmarked.

Origin: America, circa 1940's. Condition: the blade has a slight bend, but otherwise very good. Size: 7" long.

Large sterling silver berry spoon in Kirk's wonderful "Repousse" pattern. Certainly the most famous of all silver patterns to emerge from Baltimore, "Repousse" is filled with flowers such as roses, daisies and forget-me-nots. The bowl of the spoon is decorated with mixed fruit including strawberries, apples, grapes and raspberries. The back is marked "S. Kirk & Son Sterling", the mark used between 1927 and 1961.

Origin: Baltimore, Maryland, 1927-61. Condition: mint, no monogram. Size: 9-1/4" long.

Very nice sterling silver Colonial-style porringer by Alvin Silver Co. Sterling porringers are a traditional gift for newborns, serving as a feeding dish. They are also suitable for mint/nut dishes or wine bottle coasters. The bottom is marked "Lullaby Sterling" which is a division of Alvin.

Origin: America, mid-20th century. Condition: excellent, a pinpoint ding on one side near the handle. Size: 4" diameter (excluding handle); 1-1/4" high. Weight: 61.5 grams.

Beautifully engraved crystal candle shades with elegant sterling silver mountings made to screw into weighted sterling silver candlesticks. The shades are engraved with flowers surrounded by foliate wreaths. Marked "Sterling."

Origin: America, circa 1950s. Condition: mint. Size: 10" high, 4-1/2" diameter at top.

PLEASE NOTE: These shades will not fit all candlesticks due to slight variations in the diameter of the threaded openings in the candlesticks. Please measure your candlesticks carefully prior to ordering! The threaded portion of the shades is 27/32" diameter, and the threads are 3/32 wide.

Elegant sterling silver double picture frame. The frames are backed with dark green silk velvet. Perfect for engraving. Marked "Sterling".

Origin: America, circa 1950s. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: each frame is 3-3/8" x 4-3/8".

Rare, heavy and handsome 5-piece dress set by famed 20th century jewelry designer Cipullo. The double-sided cufflinks and studs are designed as highly-detail scallop shells set with cabochon natural rubies. The workmanship is superb, utilizing combinations of highly polished and matte surfaces to achieve realism. The rubies have very rich, even color. The overall style is similar to the shell designs of Verdura. The cufflink faces are joined by chains stamped with French hallmarks for 18K gold. The findings of the studs are marked “18K”. Cipullo designed for many of the major jewelers of the last century—Tiffany, Cartier, etc.—but also designed independently. This set is part of his independent production and was originally purchased from his estate.

Origin: France, circa 1955. Condition: mint. Size: cufflink large faces, 11/16” x 9/16”; cufflink small faces, 9/16” x 15/32”; studs, 19/32” x 1/2". Weight: 30.0 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 1.54 carats.

Lovely vintage 14K yellow gold pin in the form of a stylized starfish. The center is set with a 6.5mm pearl surrounded by blue sapphires. The pearl has a nice rosy hue that complements the gold setting, and the sapphires are of fine quality with bright color. The back of the pin is marked with the maker's mark "GW" and "14K".

Origin: America, circa 1950s. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 1-13/16" diameter. Weight: 10.5 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .75 carat.

Elegant signed Mikimoto brooch of 14K yellow gold with pearls. The pearls, ranging from 5 to 5.5mm are of the quality that only Mikimoto can produce. The body color is a bright white with silver overtones. The lustre is exceptional. The design is a sort of abstract flower basket design. The back is marked with Mikimoto's shell hallmark.

Origin: Japan, circa 1950s. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 1-3/8" x 1-1/4". Weight: 7.0 grams.

Nice pair of vintage sterling silver candlelabra in a classic style. The double twisted-armed sockets unscrew so that they can be used as two single candlesticks, as well. The bases are marked "Empire Sterling Weighted".

Origin: America, circa 1950. Condition: excellent, all original, two sockets have a 1/16" ding on the lower sides, no monograms. Size: candlelabra, 9-3/8" tall, 8-1/2" wide; candlesticks, 6-1/2" tall.

Very nice set of eight sterling silver cocktail picks with rooster finials brightly decorated in translucent basse-taille enamels. The engraved decoration underneath the enamel lends realistic feathery details to the roosters. The exposed areas of silver are gilt. The backs are marked "925S Norway Sterling."

Origin: Norway, ca 1950. Condition: excellent, no enamel damage. Size: 3-13/16" long. Weight: 29.5 grams.

Pretty sterling silver sardine fork in Manchester's 1951 "Amaryllis" pattern. The design is somewhat similar to Chantilly, and has a very Victorian feel. The fork could be used for sardines, as well as for a variety of hors d'oeuvres. The back of the handle is stamped with Manchester's hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1951. Condition: excellent, no monogram. Size: 5-1/2" long. Weight: 23.5 grams.

Lovely vintage sterling silver brooch set with a cluster of eight Mikimoto-quality pearls. The pearls range from 6.0 to 7.5mm. They have very white body color with silvery overtones. The nacre is thick and very lustrous. Mikimoto supplied other jewelers with pearls and it is most likely that these are by Mikimoto. The openwork sterling silver setting in a stylized floral form is typical of the 1950s and the clasp is identical to those used by Mikimoto during the period. The back is marked “Silver’.

Origin: Japan, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 2-1/2” x 1-7/8”. Weight: 14.75 grams.

Nice vintage sterling silver cufflinks, the faces decorated with an appliqued anchor and chain. The toggle backs are hinged so that the faces lie flat against the cuff. The toggles are marked "Sterling" and also have a patent number for the toggle mechanism.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 11/16" x 11/16". Weight: 15.25 grams.

Lovely pair of sterling silver short candlesticks, the sockets with an engraved design and flaring outline suggestive of a tulip blossom. The design has a nice Art Deco feel and is really much more interesting than the typical short candlesticks of this type. The bottoms are marked “Sterling” but have no maker’s mark.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, the bottom edge of one stick has a few truly pinpoint-sized dings (not really visible except when upside down). Size: 4-3/8” tall; 3-1/2” diameter at base.

A very handsome cut crystal decanter in a most striking shade of green. The decanter, cut with vertical prisms, is very heavy and of the finest quality. The style is very similar to Moser’s post-war designs, and may in fact be by Moser, although it is unsigned.

Origin: Europe, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 9-3/4” tall.

An elegant sterling silver small letter opener in Kirk’s “Repousse” pattern. The wide end is beautifully decorated with a pattern of roses and foliage against a stippled background. The flat edge is marked off so it can be used as a ruler. The back is marked with the Kirk hallmarked used 1932-61.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, very light wear to the first few 1/16” makers on the ruler at the pointed tip. Weight: 26.5 grams.

An attractive 1950s 18K yellow gold brooch prong-set with round brilliant-cut chrysoprase. The stones are brighter green than usual—nearly an emerald color—and could easily be mistaken for emeralds except for their translucent quality. The gold setting is reminiscent of a cactus. The gold surfaces are nicely textured. The back retains the original pinstem and trombone clasp with French 18K gold hallmarks.

Origin: France, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 1-3/4” x 13/16”. Weight: 7.0 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .2 carat.

A handsome pair of 18K yellow gold knot cufflinks. The ropetwist texture distinguishes these cufflinks from other knot style pairs. The toggle backs are 14K gold, but the knots are tested and guaranteed 18K.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Size: 1" x 1/2". Weight: 20.0 grams.

A handsome pair of vintage 14K yellow gold cufflinks in the loveknot form, the top of each knot collet-set in white gold with a round brilliant-cut diamond. The gold tubes that form the knots have squared-off edges that make the knots more interesting than other similar knot cufflinks. The diamonds are estimated at SI2 clarity and J/K color.

Origin: America, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 9/16” diameter. Weight: 6.5 grams. Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .23 carat.

An elegant pair of vintage earclips in 18K yellow gold set with pearls. Each earring is set with 19 4.5mm pearls of fine quality. The pearls have cream body color with nice luster, and are estimated at A+ quality. The setting is constructed in a way that it is nearly invisible when the earclips are being worn. The backs retain the original omega clips, but could easily have posts added. The backs are marked with the French “tete d’aigle” mark for 18K gold and also have an unidentified maker’s mark. One earring also has a partial serial number, generally the sign of a high-quality jeweler.

Origin: France, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 29/32” diameter. Weight: 10.5 grams.

Exquisite 1950s triple strand pearl bracelet completed with generously diamond-set 14K white gold spacers and matching clasp. The 7mm pearls are of fine quality, with thick nacre and a lovely sheen, and are beautifully matched. The body color is ivory with silvery overtones. The quality is estimated at A1. Three swirled spacers and a matching clasp, each worked in 14K white gold complete the bracelet. Each piece is set with round brilliant-cut diamonds. The stones are of fine quality, estimated at H color and VVS clarity. Unlike most spacers that simply separate the strands, the spacers in this bracelet are constructed in a way that rows of three pearls seem to be set into the spacers themselves—a unique and particularly elegant style. The matching clasp, completely invisible when closed, is one of the best clasp designs we’ve seen in many years. The back of the clasp is marked “14K”.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, stringing is secure, no wear to pearls. Size: 7-5/8” long; 1-1/8” wide. Weight: 53.5 grams. Approximate Total Diamond Weight: 3.83 carats.

A magnificent vintage platinum brooch formed as a floral bouquet featuring three primary blossoms tied at the bottom with a ribbon, and set with a mix of old single cut, old Swiss cut, old European cut, old mine cut, early modern brilliant round cut and French cut diamonds and round brilliant cut sapphires. The center flower features a .83-carat, old mine cut diamond of fancy cognac color and SI2 clarity; surrounded by sapphires. A flower bud is represented just above by a prong-set .34-carat old European cut diamond of fancy light cognac color and VS2 clarity. Leaves are bead-set with mixed cut white diamonds, all in the E-G color range with VS1 to SI2 clarity. Berries are represented by collet-set blue sapphires. The sapphires display P2B zone 30 color (moderate purplish blue) on the Gem Dialogue scale and have VS clarity. The hinged double pinstem is worked in 14K white gold, but the body of the brooch is tested and guaranteed platinum.

The range of different diamond cuts in this brooch clearly indicates it was specially made to order for a customer using the diamonds already in her possession. Such commissioned pieces are often not fully hallmarked, hence the lack of a mark for platinum or a maker's mark. The quality of workmanship is superb.

The brooch is accompanied by a June 2008 written appraisal (GIA & NAJA) conforming to the above description and assigning a replacement value of $16,500.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 2" x 1-1/4". Weight: 16.3 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, 1.84 carats (1.17 carats of fancy colored diamonds); sapphire, 2.1 carats.

A wonderful heavy sterling silver double jigger by modernist silversmith Alphonse La Paglia. The two tapered vessels are joined by a series of silver spheres and rings that are reportedly intended to represent flower bulbs and roots. The overall appearance is severe and very elegant. La Paglia originally worked in the U.S. for Georg Jensen USA, then at International Silver beginning in 1952 until his death the following year. His designs were produced until 1957. The jigger is marked with one of La Paglia's hallmarks used at International and with the pattern number 116.

Origin: America, 1952-57. Condition: excellent, light ding on one edge; no monograms. Size: 3-32/32" tall. Weight: 11.0 grams.

A striking 1950s extra-large bracelet charm by Van Cleef & Arpels. The charm is a fully-functional roulette wheel studded along the edge with collet-set round cut sapphires and emeralds. Under crystal dome, a tiny ruby bead serves as the marble. The moveable handle spins the dial, causing the ruby to skip along until if falls into one of the depressions on the wheel. Instead of numbers, however, the wheel is engraved “Je t’aime” (I love you…)/”Un Peu” (…a little)/”Beacoup” (…a lot)/”Passion” (…passionately)/”A La Folie” (…crazily)/”Pas Du Tout” (…not at all). The gemstones, as would be expected, are of the finest quality. A plain roulette wheel charm, without gemstones and engraved only with numbers, appears in a 1955 VCA print advertisement. The back is marked “Van Cleef et Arpels”, “Made In France” and has the serial number “16V507”. The maker’s mark appears on the bale. This piece can be worn on a heavy bracelet, but would be even more spectacular worn as a necklace.

Origin: France, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 1-7/16” diameter. Weight: 22.7 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: sapphire, 1.0 ct; emerald, .35 ct; ruby, .1 ct.

A vintage pair of cufflinks, the faces constructed of banded agate carved in the shape of antique pistols. The stones are nicely matched and have attractive markings in shades of orange, caramel and cream. The silver mountings are marked “Sterling”.

Origin: America, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent, no chips to agate. Size: 1-1/8” x 7/16”.

A very nice vintage H. Stern style "Sputnik" charm or pendant worked in 18K yellow gold and collet-set with a variety of colorful gemstones including amethyst, citrine, aquamarine, pink tourmaline and green tourmaline. This design was popularized by Stern, the world's largest source of colored gemstones, to show off the range of colored stones available from Brazilian mines. The pointy design was reminiscent of the first Soviet satellite and was nicknamed "Sputnik". A variety of pieces were made in this style, but charms and pendants are among the most difficult to find. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

Origin: Brazil, ca. 1965. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 7/8" diameter (excluding jump ring). Weight: 5.2 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 6.07 cts.

A nice pair of 18K yellow gold cufflinks in the stirrup (”étrier”) style popularized by Cartier in the late Art Deco period. The cufflinks are formed as a sharply arched pierced flat band. The hinged closure is decorated with engraved concentric circles at each end. The closure is hidden inside the cuff when the cufflinks are being worn. Each cufflink is fully stamped with French 18K gold hallmarks and with an unidentified master goldsmith’s mark.

Origin: France, ca. 1950. Condition: excellent. Size: 31/32” x 13/16”. Weight: 9.8 grams.