Kensington House Antiques and Sterling Silver Kensington House
Antiques
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Glass : French : Pre 1900 item #535517
Kensington House Antiques
$495.00
A gorgeous Napoleon III white opaline glass baluster-form vase with an everted apple green opaline rim and an applied molded green opaline foot with knopped and ribbed decoration. The overall design is very pleasing and the color contrast is stunning. The quality is comparable to Baccarat, although the vase was probably made at a competing cristallerie.

Origin: France, ca. 1860. Condition: excellent, all original, no cracks or chips. Size: 10-1/2” tall.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Designer Signed : Pre 1970 item #1280845
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An important artist-designed 18K yellow gold and emerald ring by Maison Gennari of Paris. The ring is styled in the Art Nouveau taste, with a voluptuous mermaid surrounded by waves and seaweed. She leans against a pair of cabochon emeralds, whose green color reinforces the watery feeling of the design. The ring is stamped with French 18K marks and is signed by Maison Gennari.

Francois Gennari was a jeweler who collaborated with sculptors to create one-of-a-kind jewels. The works were displayed at the Galerie Gennari at 25, rue Bonaparte in Paris. Gennari primarily used the lost-wax method, insuring that each piece is virtually unique.

Origin: France, ca. 1965. Condition: excellent, all original, sharp detail. Dimensions: shank tapers from 9/32" to 5/8" wide. Finger Size: 6. Weight: 18.8 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 1.24 cts.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Deco : Pre 1950 item #1325591
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A handsome Art Deco 14K yellow gold man's ring, the stepped crown featuring a square synthetic sapphire in a millegrained collet seeeting flanked on either side by a round diamond. The diamond are graded as I/SI2. The sapphire has bright blue coloring and very good saturation. Men's rings from this period nearly always used synthetic sapphires mixed with diamonds. The interior of the shank is marked "14K".

Origin: America, ca. 1940. Condition: excellent. Finger Size: 10-1/2. Weight: 6.0 grams Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: sapphire, 1.0 ct; diamond, .2 ct.

All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1837 VR item #1165987
Kensington House Antiques
$1295.00
A classic George III sterling silver wine coaster, the bombe sides with egg and dart decoration and the rim with gadrooning. The decoration is finely crafted. The turned wood base is centered with a silver escutcheon bearing an unidentified coat of arms (dancetty with three swords points down) impaling that of Ashby (ermine chevron and three leopard’s heads) tied with a ribbon. The coaster is clearly stamped with hallmarks for London and the second George III duty mark (1786-1821). The maker’s mark is rubbed, but consists of two pairs of initials, the lower pair being “CB”. The year mark is also illegible. Stylistically, the coaster most likely dates to slightly before or during the early part of the Regency Period (1811-1921). The bottom retains its original green baize fabric.

Origin: England, ca. 1810. Condition: excellent, no dings or cracking. Size: 6-1/4” diameter; 1-3/4” high.

All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1800 item #305818
Kensington House Antiques
$2,150.00
Superb Georgian sterling silver swing-handle basket. The bottom of the basket is formed of a silver sheet stamped and pierced in an intricate grapevine motif. The sides, constructed of interwoven silver wire, rise from the base and are decorated with grape cluster appliqués. The rim suggests grape vines, as well. The swing handle is decorated at the top with another cluster of grapes and foliage. The whole is raised on acanthus leaf feet. The inside of the handle is hallmarked for Edinburgh, Scotland, 1795. The sovereign’s head duty mark is stamped, but there is no maker’s hallmark, suggesting perhaps that the basket was a commissioned piece. In its time, the basket would have been used for serving sweets or small fruits. The design was very fashionable the piece is well-executed, making it a choice piece of Scottish Georgian silver.

Origin: Scotland, 1795. Condition: excellent, very sharp detail, no dings, no monograms, all original. Size: 8-3/4” x 7-1/4” x 6-3/4” tall to top of handle. Weight: 398.0 grams.

All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1837 VR item #21680
Kensington House Antiques
$195.00
English sterling silver berry spoon dating from the reign of George III. The lobed bowl is decorated with repousse apples, berries and foliage; the handle with bright cut engraving, both added later in the 19th century. (We are also offering another berry spoon by a different silversmith and with a slightly different shape, but with identical decoration. Certainly the two spoons were decorated by the same engraver and repousser.) No monograms or removals. The reverse is clearly hallmarked for London, 1811 and an unidentified maker "SA". Excellent condition; the vermeil bowl has faded to a faint lemon color. 8-1/2" long.
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1837 VR item #21681
Kensington House Antiques
$195.00
English sterling silver berry spoon dating from the reign of George III. The lobed bowl is decorated with repousse apples, berries and foliage; the handle with bright cut engraving, both added later in the 19th century. (We are also offering another berry spoon by a different silversmith and with a slightly different shape, but with identical decoration. Certainly the two spoons were decorated by the same engraver and repousser.) No monograms or removals. The reverse is clearly hallmarked for London, 1812 and the maker's mark "IL" is possibly that of James Lloyd. Excellent condition; the vermeil bowl has faded to a faint lemon color. 8-5/8" long.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Cufflinks and Accessories : Gold : Pre 1970 item #1338390
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A fine pair of modernist 18K yellow gold cufflinks designed by Georges Lenfant for Mauboussin. The faces are designed as four interlocking squares decorated with three types of surface treatment--high polish, florentine engraving, and wood-textured engraving. The hinged backs are finished with florentine engraving. The connectors are signed "Mauboussin Paris" and have serial numbers, French 18K marks and the master goldsmith's mark for Georges Lenfant.

Georges Lenfant was one of the most important Parisian jewelers of the 20th century, supplying pieces to Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Hermès, Mellerio and Maubousssin. The French national prize for young jewelers is named for him and his son Jacques.

Origin: France, ca. 1960. Condition: excellent, all original. Dimensions: front faces, 1/2" x 1/2". Weight: 15.6 gr.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Cufflinks and Accessories : Gold : Pre 1930 item #1343578
Kensington House Antiques
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A fine pair of Art Deco 14K yellow gold double-sided cufflinks, the octagonal faces decorated in black and white opaque champlevé enamel. The cufflinks have a very graphic appeal. The backs are stamped with the 14K hallmark for George O. Street & Sons, one of New York’s leading manufacturing jewelers and a supplier of cufflinks and other jewelry to Tiffany & Co. The backs are marked with Street’s 14K hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1925. Condition: excellent; all original; no enamel chips or cracks. Dimensions: 9/16” diameter. Weight: 10.5 gr.

All Items : Vintage Arts : Decorative Art : Metals : Silver : Sterling : Pre 1940 item #1476916
Kensington House Antiques
$495.00
An elegant boxed set of gilt sterling silver demitasse spoons with fox head finials. Each spoon is stamped with the hallmark for William Suckling. Each is also stamped “Swaine & Adeney,” one of London’s most exclusive luxury goods shops for more than 270 years. The spoons are presented in their original velvet- and silk-lined fitted case. An extra spoon, apparently from a second box, is included.
  • Origin: Birmingham, England, 1938
  • Condition: excellent, gilding intact; box shows typical wear
  • Dimensions: spoons, 3-13/16” long
  • Weight: 84.3 grams.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1144038
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An extremely fine and rare Georgian 12K gold bracelet featuring a large rectangular plaque of landscape agate flanked by seven smaller rectangular plaques. With only a little imagination, the central panel appears to represent a grouping of trees in front of distant mountains, while the smaller plaques seem more like tree-covered islands in a calm lake. Landscape agate was popular for small brooches in the Georgian era, but large examples made of several matched pieces such as this are extremely rare. The plaques are set in 12K yellow gold frames with typical Georgian chased scrolled and beaded decoration. The agate displays warm shades of tan, brown and grayish-cream. The bracelet has a replaced hidden box clasp (14K), but is in otherwise perfect original condition.

Origin: England, ca. 1800. Condition: excellent, clasp replacement. Size: 23/32” x 6-7/8”.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1469821
Kensington House Antiques
$550.00
A small fob seal featuring an amethyst tablet set in a fluted closed-back setting surmounted with ornate scrollwork. The amethyst tablet bears the monogram “RB” and a heart-shaped lock and a key. The lock and key are rebus images carrying the message “Key to my heart.” This fob is perfectly sized to wear alone as a pendant or on a heavy chain or bracelet as one of multiple charms. Tested and guaranteed 15K.
  • Origin: England, ca 1830
  • Condition: very good
  • Dimensions: 5/8" x 1-1/8"
  • Weight: 7.5 grams
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Cufflinks and Accessories : Gold : Pre 1900 item #1343662
Kensington House Antiques
$1,450.00
A striking pair of double-sided cufflinks made from Georgian cut steel and garnet buttons joined with 15K yellow gold chains. The garnets have very attractive medium-bright purplish-red coloring that contrasts nicely with bright sparkle of the cut steel “gems.” The garnet cabochons are held in place with fleur-de-lis shaped prongs. The faceting style of the steel indicates they were made in an earlier period, likely no later than 1790. The connecting chains have spring rings, so one face of each link can be removed for ease in placing the cuff hole. One of the spring rings is 9K and the other is gold-filled. They can easily be replaced with 14K by any jeweler. The back of one face has a worn engraving and the date 1871—probably they year the chains were added to the then 100 year-old buttons.

Origin: England, ca. 1770/1871. Condition: very good. Dimensions: 9/16” diameter. Approximate Total Garnet Weight: 30.7 cts.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1800 item #1150133
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A truly superb and rare example of a Georgian mourning ring, the navette-shaped crown set with a mourning scene on ivory covered with a rock crystal dome. The scene depicts are pair of doves perched on the edge of a fountain. The doves are worked in a thick application of enamel so they stand out from the ivory background like a bas-relief. Doves were commonly a reference to the Holy Spirit The fountain itself is made with gold borders (presumably 15K) infilled wth enamels and highlighted with floral swags applied with watercolors. A matching swag, centering a seed pearl, is suspended above the birds and fountain. The crystal is surrounded by a border of bright green and white enamel worked in a scalloped pattern. White enamel is rather uncommon and was nearly always used sparingly to reference the purity of a deceased woman. The use of green is extremely rare. The interior of the shank has an engraved monogram and a partial date that was obscured when the back of the shank was sized. At the time of the sizing, the interior of the shank was also stamped with a modern American 14K hallmark. The shank itself, however is completely original and is actually 15K gold, as is the crown.

Origin: England, ca. 1785. Condition: excellent, minute loss to enamel, sized. Finger Size: 6-1/2. Size: crown, 7/8” x 11/16”. Weight: 5.2 grams.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1800 item #1092045
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A beautiful Georgian mourning pin worked in 15K yellow gold with black enamel accents. The domed crystal cover encloses a watercolor on ivory memorial scene highlighted with snippets of hair. The scene depicts a rifle and hunting bag, a dog and a willow tree. The rifle indicates that the brooch was intended to memorialize a gentleman and the willow tree was a symbol of sorrow. The dog waits patiently at attention by his master’s belongings, symbolizing loyalty. The concept of loyalty was an important symbol in Georgian jewelry, but the dog motif is not often encountered. The leaves of the willow tree and the grass on the ground are made from very fine snippets of hair. The design is completed with the monogram “L St.” The brooch retains its original extended pinstem and c-clasp. Tested and guaranteed 15K.

Origin: England, ca. 1790. Condition: excellent. Size: 1-5/32” x 25/32”.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1393709
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An extraordinarily fine pair of Georgian hardstone cameo earrings set in 15K yellow gold. The cameos, certainly of Italian origin, and possibly several hundred years older than the earrings themselves, are carved from a grayish-green stone with white and rust banding. The images depict a satyr with exaggerated pointy ears and a leering grin, and a female companion with a floral wreath in her hair. In both, the grayish-green stone forms the background, while the facial features are picked out in white, and the floral headdresses have a faint rust tint. The gold settings have cut-down collets and a gentle ogee-shaped outer frame. The cameos are relatively thin and appear to be backed with black wax or pitch to hold them securely in place. The closures are front-to-back hinges. Georgian-era cameo jewelry is quite difficult to find. Tested and guaranteed 15K.
  • Origin: England, ca. 1800.
  • Condition: very good; no damage or wear except for a small fracture at the uppermost edge of the background in the female cameo visible under magnification.
  • Dimensions: 1/2” x 5/8” long (excluding wires). Weight: 7.1 grams.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1409855
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A Georgian 15K gold gentleman's ring set with a hematite intaglio with a rare image from Greek/Roman mythology. We see the buff god Apollo in his horse-drawn chariot being led by Eros ("Cupid"), the god of love. This scene depicts the beginning of the tale of the water nymph Daphne.

Best know as god of the sun, Apollo was also the patron god of archers. One day, he mocked Cupid for the small size of the latter's bow and arrows. In revenge, Cupid shot Apollo with a golden-tipped arrow that would make Apollo fall in first with the first female he saw. Cupid shot Daphne with a lead-tipped arrow that would fill her with disdain for the first male she saw. Knowing she was nearby, Cupid taunted Apollo then flew toward Daphne's location with Apollo giving chase. The sun god immediately fell in love with Daphne and gave chase until the water nymph begged her father to save her, which he did by transforming her into a laurel tree. Apollo made the laurel tree his symbol, and as a last act of love for Daphne, used his powers of youth to transform the tree into an evergreen with eternally green leaves.
  • Origin: England, ca. 1800
  • Condition: excellent; all original
  • Dimensions: intaglio, 1" x 3/4"
  • Finger Size: 7-3/4
  • Weight:15.6 grams
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Cufflinks and Accessories : Gold : Pre 1837 VR item #1191604
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A very rare early pair of double-sided cufflinks, the navette-shaped faces centered with Persian turquoise cabochons surrounded by borders of rose cut diamonds set in silver. The faces are joined with 15K yellow gold chains. Diamonds in Georgian jewelry are nearly always set in silver, as they are in this case. The silver’s light color brings out the glitter of the rose cut diamonds and also nicely accents the rich color of the turquoise. The diamonds are set in an open back “a jour” setting that was developed toward the end of the 18th century, but was not commonly used until the early Victorian era. The extra-long chains suggest that the cufflinks were probably intended for use on the cuffs of a coat, rather than a shirt, to accommodate the thick folds of velvet or brocade fabric. Tested and guaranteed 15K gold.

Origin: England, ca. 1800. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: faces, 1/2" x 5/16”. Weight: 5.5 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, .80 carat; turquoise, 3.96 cts.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1800 item #1034859
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An exceptionally rare and fine 18th century 15K yellow gold mourning ring, the crown comprising a very large verre eglomise panel with a black silhouette of a gentleman against a silvered background. The lace and brocade collar is exquisitely detailed. The edges of the panel are finished with bright-cut engraving, a design repeated at the top edges of the shank. The back of the glass panel is curved for comfort when being worn. Everything about the ring is of the finest quality. Its size and graphic appeal make a statement. Tested and guaranteed 15K.

Origin: England, ca. 1780. Condition: excellent, no damage to glass panel. Size: 1-5/16" x 13/16". Finger Size: 9-3/4.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1381053
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A very nice late Georgian carnelian spinner fob mounted in an 18K gold frame in the form of two intertwined snakes. The snakes are hand-chased with detailed scales and interesting, their heads are finished with duck-bill mouths (complete with teeth) grasping apples. This form is often seen in French silver wine tasters and was intended as a reminder of temptation and the snake in the Garden of Eden. The spiral mechanism in the center of the snakes’ entwined bodies is a spring mechanism that allows the carnelian plaque to be locked into place. The fob is generously sized and would make a stunning pendant. Marked with an indistinct Continental hallmark (likely French) and tested 18K.
  • Origin: Continental Europe, probably France, ca. 1830.
  • Dimensions: 1-9/16” x 1-3/4”.
  • Weight: 11.3 grams.
  • Condition: excellent; carnelian was never engraved; all original.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1361352
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A stunning Georgian 18K gold textured chain necklace suspending a graduated series of nineteen carved hardstone hearts. The colorful stones include lapis lazuli, moonstone, opal, carnelian, moss agate, porphyry, chrysoprase, banded agate, jasper and more. Stones such as these would have been mined in many different parts of the globe, and wearing a necklace of such "specimens" would have indicated wealth as well as a certain curiosity and intelligence about the world. The heart theme expressed the sentimental side of Georgian jewelry. The chain is entirely handmade and is fastened with the original barrel clasp decorated with beading in the Etruscan manner. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

Origin: France or England, ca. 1800. Condition: very good, several of the hearts have minor roughnesses to the edges consistent with two centuries of wear. Length: 16-3/4". Weight: 19.0 gr.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1800 item #1476643
Kensington House Antiques
$3,750.00
A stunning Georgian floral pendant worked in silver-topped 18K gold. The radiating petals are studded with diamonds in the newly fashionable “a jour” or open settings that came into vogue around 1800. The selection of diamonds is a virtual history of early diamond cutting and includes rose cuts, Mazarin cuts, table cuts, and Peruzzi cuts. The flower is centered with an unheated cornflower blue sapphire, likely of Ceylon origin. The back of the setting is ornately engraved in a sort of starburst pattern. There’s a small hole in the back of the setting that would have held a long pin attachment so the piece could be worn as a hair ornament. The flower has been converted for wear as pendant with the discreet additional of a hidden bail. Tested and guaranteed 18K gold.
  • Origin: France or England, ca. 1795
  • Condition: excellent
  • Dimensions: 1-1/2” diameter
  • Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, 5.6 carats; sapphire, 1.65 carats
  • Weight: 18.3 grams
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All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1800 item #1412060
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A wonderful Georgian 18K gold ring featuring a bold royal blue enamel plaque enhanced with a gold and seed pearl applique of a pansy. The blossom is set with a rose cut diamond at the center. The entire plaque is enclosed within a rococo floral border. The shank is decorated with complimentary floral elements. In Georgian jewelry, the pansy was used in jewelry given to loved ones with the sentiment "thinking of you". Tested and guaranteed 18K.
  • Origin: England, ca 1770
  • Condition: very good; enamel has a couple of areas of surface flaking to the uppermost layer of the enamel, so the color remains intact throughout
  • Dimensions: plaque, 1-3/16" x 15/16"
  • Finger Size: 6-1/4
  • Weight: 7.1 grmams
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1404657
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A delightful Georgian harlequin ring featuring a marquise cut citrine surrounded by a border of alternating green and red stones—emeralds, rubies and paste. The mixing of natural and paste stones was not uncommon for the period. The citrine is foiled to impart a reddish-orange body color from certain angles. The stones are set in a closed-back setting. The shank is simply enhanced with a fleur-de-lis on each side where it joins the crown. Tested and guaranteed 18K gold, and bearing a later French import mark for 18K.
  • Origin: probably England, ca. 1810.
  • Dimensions: crown, 3/4" x 7/16”.
  • Finger Size: 8 1/4.
  • Condition: very good; the central stone has a 1-1.5mm flake on one point only visible upon close examination with magnification.
  • Weight: 3.8 grams.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1464121
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A particularly attractive Georgian example of a Halley’s Comet pin worked in 18K yellow gold, accented with black enamel, and featuring a comet head set with a bright green paste stone to represent the comet’s nucleus surrounded by old cut clear paste stones representing the bright coma. The pastes are set in an elegant buttercup setting with a fluted back. The gold setting also has engraved decorative elements representing the comet’s tail.
In 1705, Edmond Halley correctly predicted the comet’s return in 1758. When it returned in 1835 (and in 1910), jewelers were ready with fashionable pins to celebrate the comet’s passage. Most often, these pins are in lower karat gold, instead of 18K as in this example. Tested and guaranteed 18K gold.
  • Origin: England, ca 1835
  • Condition: excellent, flakes on the green paste are visible only under magnification
  • Dimensions: 1-3/16” long
  • Weight: 4.4 grams
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1187687
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This exceptional verre eglomise rock crystal panel depicts a maiden in classical dress playing with a hound. She sits on a plinth in a clearing with cypress trees in the background. The scene is backed with grayish mother-of-pearl that seems to create a sky of swirling clouds. The reverse of the pendant is simply finished with pale grayish-blue silk. The plaque is simply mounted in an 18K yellow gold frame with a bail at the top. Verre eglomise was most often used in mourning jewelry, but nothing about the composition of this scene suggests it was created for memorial purposes. In fact, the unusually playful interaction of the dog and the maiden, the latter with a delicately painted smiling face, suggests just the opposite. The pendant was found in France, but the absence of a hallmark suggests England as a more likely place of origin. Tested and guaranteed 18K gold.

Origin: England or France, ca. 1800. Condition: excellent, a 1/8" flake on one edge of the front crystal and a couple of 1/8" faded areas to black border, all visible only with strong, raking light. Size: 1-3/8" x 1-3/4" (excluding bail).

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1800 item #1476881
Kensington House Antiques
$3,750.00
Possibly the finest Georgian fob seal we’ve seen, this example is worked in multicolored 18K gold. The large swivel features a carnelian plaque on one side that reverses to an amazing crystal-enclosed compartment. Inside the compartment is a three-dimensional fruit basket worked in yellow, white, rose, green and blue gold. The rock crystal cover is slightly domed to magnify the fruit basket decoration. The edges of the swivel are engraved “S Kip” on one edge and “S Kip Poe” on the other, suggesting it was perhaps a gift from a grandfather to a grandson of maternal descent. Women began wearing pocket watches in the 1780s, so it's also possible this fob was a gift from mother to married daughter. Tested and guaranteed 18K gold.
  • Origin: England, ca. 1790
  • Condition: very good, evidence of 19th century repairs that do not detract from the beauty
  • Dimensions: 1-1/2” x 2-1/16” (excluding jump ring)
  • Weight: 29.6 grams
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1800 item #1019977
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An exceedingly rare Georgian 18K yellow gold pendant locket celebrating the first manned flight by the Montgolfier brothers from Paris in 1783. Hot air balloons were one of the scientific wonders of the late 18th century, and balloon designs were worked into furniture, textiles, clothing and jewels. This locket features a hot air balloon carved from a piece of mother of pearl and then decorated with gilding and realistic painted detail. The balloon is affixed to a pale blue silk background and enclosed behind convex glass in an 18K yellow gold frame bordered by a ropetwist motif worked in gold and natural seed pearls. The edges of the frame are further accented with a beaded ogee design and bright-cut stippling. The back of the locket, also glass covered, features a mother of pearl plaque painted with the initial "F.H.", also affixed to a blue silk background. A piece such as this would most certainly have been made-to-order, so it is not surprising that it is unmarked. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

The rarity of this pendant really cannot be overstated. Very little late 18th century French jewelry survived the Revolution and pieces with a Montgolfier theme are exceptional.

Origin: probably France, ca. 1785. Condition: excellent; a small piece of the balloon carving has become dislodged (probably from the top finial of the balloon) and slipped toward the bottom of the frame (the frame could be opened the the loosened piece reattached). Size: 1-7/8" x 1-5/8".

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1258953
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A magnificent late Georgian multi-colored 18-22K gold bracelet comprising ten heavily detailed plaques. Each primary plaque, in the form of scallop shells in a cruciform arrangement with a large multi-tiered rosette at the center set with an old mine cut diamond. Each primary plaque is set at the corners with antique cushion cut Colombian emeralds. The secondary plaques have floral and acorn decoration and smaller rosettes centering old mine cut diamonds. The gold is very subtly colored, with the rosettes being just a shade pinker than the surrounding gold. The smaller rosettes are enhanced underneath the petals with small floral sprays worked in green and rose gold. The surface decoration is simply exquisite. The diamonds are J color, SI1 clarity and have very good brilliance. The emeralds have intense pure green coloring and fine clarity. The bracelet is entirely original, including the box clasp. Testing indicates that the gold content is somewhere between 18K and 22K.

Origin: probably England, ca. 1835. Condition: excellent, all original. Dimensions: 1-1/8" wide; 7-1/4" long. Weight: 62.8 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, 1.75 cts; emerald, 1.24 cts.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1366825
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A lovely Georgian mourning pin worked in 9K yellow gold, the center crystal-covered compartment bordered in faceted jet. Lighter-colored hair is somewhat less common that dark hair, and it contrasts particularly nicely with the black border. The reverse is engraved "Wm Dumelow/ob. 16 Mar/1811 At 42." Tested and guaranteed 9K.

Origin: England, 1811. Condition: excellent, all original. Dimensions: 1" x 9/16". Weight: 3.3 grams.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1800 item #562293
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A marvelous Georgian cross pendant worked entirely in seed pearls and centering an oval cut citrine in a 9K gold push-up setting. Seed pearl jewelry became popular during the last quarter of the 18th century and remained in fashion for about fifty years. The forms were cut from pieces of mother-of-pearl then drilled with tiny holes. Strands of horsehair, bleached to become white and translucent, were used to sew hundreds of tiny natural seed pearls to the form. The center citrine adds a bit a sparkle to what would otherwise be a very chaste piece. Some of the pearls in this piece are quite large for seed pearl jewelry. Although pearls are associated with purity, crosses are difficult to find in seed pearl jewelry. The 14K gold bale is recent.

Origin: England, ca. 1775. Condition: excellent, some glue reinforcement of the horsehair in places on the back. Size: 2” x 1-3/8”.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1401871
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A nice Georgian locket in the form of a Maltese cross with a central rock crystal locket compartment. The arms of the cross are made from faceted carnelian plaques mounted in gold around the central compartment. The compartment was intended to hold the woven hair or perhaps a miniature portrait of a loved one. The Cross of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John was created in 1126 based on designs from the Crusades. The eight points of the arms represented truth, faith, repentance, humility, justice, mercy, sincerity and endurance. During the latter Georgian era, romantic notions of history caused the Maltese cross to become a very popular fashion accessory. Tested and guaranteed 12K.
  • Origin: England, ca. 1800.
  • Condition: excellent; no damage to gold mountings or carnelian; the cross retains its original fluted gold bail; a small (1/32”) flake to one corner of a rock crystal cover.
  • Dimensions: 1-7/16” x 1-7/16” (excluding bail).
  • Weight: 9.0 grams.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Other Metals : Period : Pre 1837 VR item #1373719
Kensington House Antiques
$575.00
A rare gilt bronze watch fob with a carnelian seal with an allegorical figure depicting "Temptation" in the form a hooded monk with hands piously folded across his own chest while standing next to a nude woman. The woman is pressing against him and appears to be whispering into his ear. Virtuous themes presented gentlemen of the era with an opportunity to indulge in a little erotic naughtiness. The figure is enhanced with detailed engraving.
  • England or France, circa 1830
  • Very good condition; light wear to gilding; no engraving on carnelian; better in person than the photos
  • 1-1/2" x 7/8" x 11/16"
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #1487923
Kensington House Antiques
$1,850.00
A fine example of a French-Flemish croix papillon (butterfly cross) from the northern region of France around Calais. Jewelry scholars believe these were actually made in Belgium (a French region at the time) where they were known as “croix à la Jeannette” (Jeanette crosses). They were popular across the French regions of Picardie and Pas-de-Calais and into Normandie. This example retains all three of its original parts, each worked in gold and silver and set with table cut diamonds. Croix papillon in original condition are somewhat uncommon as they were often separated into multiple components to satisfy inheritance among multiple daughters. The filigree work is very finely done. The upper portion retains its original pair of slides, as these crosses were traditionally worn high from a wide ribbon tied around the neck. At some point, likely in the later 19th century, a pin stem and c-clasp were added for wear as a brooch. Today, the cross can be worn as a brooch or as a pendant suspended from a chain using the slides. There is a partial hallmark with the guarantee stamp “D” suggesting the cross was assayed at Liège.
  • Origin: France/Belgium, ca. 1790-1820
  • Condition: excellent, all parts intact
  • Dimensions: 1-15/16” x 3”
  • Weight: 13.2 grams
All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Organics : Lacquer : Pre 1837 VR item #581621
Kensington House Antiques
$250.00
A delightful Georgian lacquered papier-maché snuffbox or tobacco box. The hinged cover is decorated with a handpainted scene depicting a court scene. The sides of the box are painted in colorful floral tracery against a dark green ground. The bottom is decorated with a large gilt medallion against a black background. Interestingly, the facial characteristics of the two people appear to be Chinese, but the interior decor is most definitely in the Persian taste. It is, of course, almost certain that the decorator never stepped foot outside the town in which he was born, and had no idea that Middle Eastern and East Asian people look different.

Origin: probably England, ca. 1800. Condition: excellent, surface decoration is very fine, light wear along the edges of the lid. Size: 3-1/2" x 2" x 1-1/16".

All Items : Antiques : Decorative Art : Organics : Lacquer : Pre 1837 VR item #1235042
Kensington House Antiques
$275.00
A black lacquered papier mâché wine coaster, the sides enhanced with an unusual gilt pattern of stylized grape leaves and tendrils along with thistles. The decoration is in excellent condition, with a nice warm patina.

Origin: England, ca. 1800. Condition: excellent; normal crackling to the interior; no structural problems; gilding intact. Dimensions: diameter, 13.4 cm (5-1/4 in); height, 4.8 cm (1-7/8 in).