Catalog (2449)

An exquisite and very fine 18K yellow gold jewel by Henry Dunay, one of the greatest American jewelers of the latter 20th century. The piece comprises a 32" necklace of domed, oval gold links joined by polished arched connectors. The outer surfaces of the links are stippled in a roughly textured finish that contrast nicely with the arched connectors. Two of the links have hidden hinged clasps so that the necklace can be separated into a shorter necklace and a bracelet. Two of the arched connectors are joined together at the midpoint to suspend a detachable pendant inspired by ancient Mayan motifs. The pendant is quite large, but the openwork and geometric approach to the design maintain a sense of lightness. The pendant can also be worn as a brooch. All pieces are signed by Dunay and are marked 18K.

The piece is accompanied by a written appraisal (GIA & NAJA) indicating a total replacement value of $34,000. Mr. Dunay, himself, indicated that he recalled making the piece in 1968 or 1969. At that time he did not systematically document his creations, so the jewel has not appeared in published works. He suggested he would charge $34,000 to recreate the piece today.

Origin: America, ca. 1968. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: full necklace length, 32" bracelet length, 8-1/2"; shortened necklace length, 23-1/2"; pendant/brooch, 2-11/16" diameter. Weight: 249.09 grams/8.009troy ounces.

Phenomenal Art Deco cocktail shaker and six matching cocktail glasses by Gorham. The gently curving surface has a quilted appearance created by deeply incised vertical and horizontal lines. The spout and handle are attached to the body with a cobweb-like decorative device. The cocktail glasses are raised on tall stems with knops decorated to match the bowls. The same decorative element is repeated where the stems meet the flaring bases. The interiors of the bowls retain the original gilding. The bottom of each piece is fully hallmarked for Gorham with the year mark for 1928. The shaker is marked with the pattern number GA 13825 and the glasses with GA 13826.

This set was featured in Gorham's 1929 catalogue under the heading, "Sterling Splendor: Eminently Indispensible Silver Necessities of the Luxurious Modern Home." The set was the most expensive shaker offered by Gorham and cost the equivalent of a car or a small farm. Partly as a result of its sellling price, this set is one of the rarest cocktail shakers ever made. Gorham produced silver in the Art Deco and modernist style for only a short period (1926-29) under the guidance of famed silversmith Erik Magnussen worked there. Though it has been attributed to Magnussen (Visakay), it was probably not one of his designs since none of the very few examples are signed by the designer.

Origin: America, 1928. Condition: excellent; shaker has no dings, deep scratches or monograms; two of the glasses have a small flat ding on the edge of the weighted base. Size: shaker, 12" tall; glasses, 5-1/8" tall. Weight: 2,064 grams.

A stunning pair of 18K yellow gold hinged bangle bracelets from the "Cometes" line by Chanel Haute Joaillerie. The bracelets are designed as simple band of channel-set brilliant round diamonds punctuated at regular intervals with 5-armed stars, each bead-set with a brilliant round diamond. Though the bracelets appear to be solid, each of the sections is hinged at the star, so the bracelet is flexible and comfortable to wear. The clasps are hidden beneath one of the stars. Each bracelet comprises 72 diamonds of exceptional quality, with F/G color and VVS clarity. The total carat weight of each bracelet is approximately 3.5 carats. Each bracelet is fully stamped with French 18K gold hallmarks and is signed "Chanel." Each is also marked with its unique serial number.

Chanel's fine jewelry is sold in only a few of the company's major boutiques (Paris, New York, etc.) and is never sold at any other retailer. These bracelets are accompanied by a letter on Chanel's letterhead dated May 6, 2009 indicating a replacement value of $19,700 each. The letter includes the information that the bracelets were originally purchased from the New York boutique in 2007 and the serial numbers noted in the letter match those on the bracelets.

Stars were one of Coco Chanel's favorite motifs and she used them in the very first piece of fine jewelry she designed for herself in 1932. Chanel launched its fine jewelry collection in 2003 with the "Cometes" line which uses five-armed stars in endless varieties.

Origin: France, 2007. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: interior opening, 2-3/16" x 1-3/4"; width, 5/16", interior circumference, 6-3/16". Weight: pair, 48.3 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 7.00 carats (pair).

NOTE: Though they look wonderful worn together, we will consider selling the bracelets separately.

Stunning set of four enameled cocktail glasses, almost certainly by Moser. The quality of the glass is superlative. The enameled rooster motif is magnified through the thick glass of the base, so that it looks quite large from inside the bowl (it might be a bit frightening after drinking an entire martini!) The bowls are lightly paneled and are edged in a thin line of gilding.

One glass has a flake at the bottom edge (see photo) and two pinpoint roughnesses along the top rim. Another has a couple of pinpoint roughnesses underneath the bottom edge (not noticeable from the top).

3-1/2" tall.

These are certainly among the finest cocktail glasses we've seen and would look great with a classic cocktail shaker featuring a rooster motif.

Pair lovely Minton porcelain cabinet plates featuring handpainted pastoral scenes. One shows a footbridge over a rushing stream and the other shows a pair of cows wading in a pond. Both are surrounded by Minton's famous turquoise blue. The edges are gilt and embossed with a foliate pattern. The backs are impressed "Minton" and have the year mark for 1879. Origin: England, 1879. Condition: the bridge plate is excellent, with about 10% loss to the gilding along the rim; the cow plate is good, with about 70% loss to the gilding along the edge and along the inner rim. Size: 9-1/8" diam.

A pair of sterling silver berry spoons of the finest quality dating to the reign of George III. The quality of the repousse and bright cut decoration is beyond compare. The design of the bowl includes cherries, applies, pomegranates and foliage. The backs are clearly hallmarked for London, 1800 and for the maker Thomas Wallis. Excellent condition; no monograms or removals. 9" long.

Eight sterling silver dessert or salad forks in Manchester's lovely 1910 "Southern Rose" pattern. The repousse decoration is similar to Kirk's "Repousse" and Stieff's "Rose".

Origin: America, circa 1910. Condition: excellent, no monograms. Size: 5-7/8" long.

Pair of Staffordshire pottery cake plates with light blue transfer decoration in the Canton or "Willow" theme. Neither plate is marked.

Origin: England, circa 1850. Condition: one plate has a crow's foot visible only from the back; the other has a 1/2" flake on the back of the rim; both have some staining, particularly along the rims. Size: 10" diam.

Outstanding lacquer cocktail shaker set comprised of a three-part shaker, tray and six cocktail glasses. All are hand decorated in red, gold and silver with a scene of islands connected by an arched footbridge. The islands are populated with pines and traditional Japanese structures including a pagoda, gate and teahouse. Sailing ships are in the sea and Mt. Fufi towers predominantly in the background. The pagoda-shaped top of the shaker is decorated with birds and the cap with flowers. The tray and glasses are decorated with matching motifs.

Origin: Japan, circa 1920. Condition: shaker--the strainer has a small crack connecting four of the strainer holes (does not threaten the shaker's overall integrity), otherwise excellent; glasses--three have flaking to the lacquer on the insides of the rims, otherwise excellent; tray--considerable cracking along the edges where the bottom meets the sides (could be inpainted to lessen the visibility). Size: shaker 9" tall; glasses 5-7/8" tall; tray 10-3/4" x 15-1/2".

Pair of elegant cut crystal bud vases with sterling silver footrims. The vases are cut with a simple starburt pattern near the upper rims. Marked "Wallace Sterling R-62".

Origin: America, circa 1960. Condition: excellent, no dents or chips. Size: 8" tall.

A pair of carved bone master salt spoons decorated with elephants on the handles. Circa 1900. Excellent condition. 2-3/4” long.

Extremely rare set of six transferware dessert plates depicting Napoleon’s great victories. The rims are printed with crowned “N”s encircled by laurel wreaths and military decorations, alternating with escutcheons with the Emperor’s signature hat and sword. The scenes are entitled “Mort De Desaix A Marengo”; “Le Ge’al Massena Devant Zurich 25 Decembre 1799”; “Bataille De Friedland 14 Juin 1807”; “Combat De Benhout 8 Mars 1799”; “Bonaparte A Arcole 17 Novembre 1796”; and “Napoleon Haranguant Les Troupes Bavaroises Et Wurtembergeoises”.

All the plates were made by Boch Freres of La Louviere, Belgium. Most are marked with the company’s stamp. The monarchy was in and out of favor frequently during the 19th century, and few of the Napoleon transferware items survived.

Origin: Belgium, circa 1850s. Condition: all are in excellent condition with no chips or cracks; one has light crazing to the glaze and minimal discoloration; all the transfer decoration is well-detailed and strongly-colored. Size: 8-1/8” diameter.

Elegant platinum and diamond bracelet designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. The bracelet features 23 collet-set 10-point round brilliant-cut diamonds spaced along a platinum chain. The diamonds are G color and VS clarity. The clasp is marked "Perretti T&Co 950". It currently (January 2013) retails at Tiffany for $10,500. Size: 7-1/8" long. Weight: 5.5 grams. Total Diamond Weight: 2.3 carats.

A beautiful pair of cut glass square bowls, the steep sides blown out into a scalloped shape. The bottoms are cut in Russian pattern, with the buttons cut in Harvard, diamond and a diamond variant. The sides are in panels of a Harvard variant, panels of Russian matching the bottoms, and panels of diamond. The panels are topped with flashed star cuts and are separated by columns of vertical fluting. The edge is finished with teeth. The cutting is very precise and extremely sharp, and the bowls are hand-polished. Unsigned. Both bowls fluoresce yellow under UV light.

Origin: America, ca. 1890. Condition: excellent, one bowl has a 3/16” flake on the outside of one tooth and a few extremely tiny roughnesses on the interior of the teeth. Size: 6” x 6” x 2-7/8”.

A lovely pair of hyacinth vases in teal blue glass. The classic shape is slightly conical with a widely flaring rim for resting the bulb over the water. These vases are especially attractive because of their rich color. Forcing hyacinths and other bulbs to bloom indoors was something of a Victorian passion that continued well into the 20th century.

Origin: America, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Size: 7" tall.

A handsome pair of Georg Jensen silver cufflinks in pattern #5. This was an early cufflink design be Jensen and was made with and without a gemstone in the center opening. The round faces are connected by chains to foliate torpedo backs. The cufflinks retain an old patina. The backs of the faces are stamped with the combination of Jensen and assay marks used 1915-30 and with the pattern number “5” and “Kopenhagen”.

Origin: Denmark, 1915-30. Condition: excellent; all original; old patina. Size: 3/4" diameter. Weight: 7.5 grams.

A stunning French Belle Epoque platinum negligee necklace set with old European and single-cut diamond and calibre cut blue sapphires. The fancy platinum chain, interrupted at regular intervals with natural seed pearls, joins to a gracefully arched diamond-set bar suspending old European cut diamonds leading an asymmetrical pair of semicircular plaques, each finished with a tassel of natural seed pearls. The term “negligee”, technically meaning “careless”, refers to the seemingly careless, uneven arrangement of the drop elements. The diamonds are graded as J/K color and I1 clarity. The necklace is stamped with French “tete de chien” marks for platinum.

Origin: France, ca. 1915. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: necklace length, 17-1/2”; pendant drop length, 2-1/4”. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, .85 ct; sapphire, .16 ct. Weight: 9.5 grams.

A vintage 18K yellow gold heart-shaped pendant/charm, the border set with alternating cushion cut Burmese rubies and old mine cut diamonds. Like most Retro pieces, the large size has great presence. The rubies have fine, bright red color and VS clarity, and display all the characteristics of Burmese rubies. There are no indications of heat or other treatment. The diamonds are of similarly fine quality, graded as I color, SI clarity. The bail is marked “750” for 18K gold. The pendant is ideal for monogramming, but there is no evidence of any previous engraving.

NOTE: The pendant is shown with a 16" 14K gold chain available for an additional $125.

• Ca. 1940.
• Condition: excellent, all original.
• Dimensions: 1” x 1-1/8” (excluding bail).
• Weight: 6.1 grams.
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: ruby, .6 carat; diamond, .4 carat.