Catalog (2467)

A rare Art Nouveau brooch worked in 18K gold depicting Eros, the Greek god of love and harmony. “Amor” is the Latin version of his name, and English-speakers usually refer to him as “Cupid.” He is shown here with a quiver of arrows used to inflame love in the hearts of his targets. The quiver’s strap is set with small rose cut diamonds for an added bit of sparkle. The name “Amor” is included in the design to the left of Amor’s head. The brooch is signed “F Vernon” for Frédéric-Charles-Victor de Vernon, a noted French medallist and sculptor. This particular design was first exhibited by Vernon at the 1903 Paris Salon. The back is stamped with French 18K gold marks.

• Origin: France, ca. 1903
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 1-3/32” diameter
• Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .10 carat
• Weight: 5.8 grams

An elegant pair of 18K yellow gold Art Nouveau cufflinks set with rose and single cut diamonds. The cufflinks have a classic design of whiplash curves typical of Art Nouveau jewelry. They are worked in both slightly matte bloomed and polished textures for added interest. The torpedo backs are connected by wired bridges. The cufflinks are stamped with French import marks, apparently those used for temporary admission into the country so they could be displayed at one of the international design salons around the turn of the 20th century.

• Origin: Continental Europe, ca 1900
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions, faces, 3/4" x 13/32”
• Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .66 carat
• Weight: 6.5 grams

A nice Edwardian silver watch chain with striped niello decoration on alternate links between smaller gilt links. The chain is finished with a niello swivel dog clip at one end and a large bolt with repousse and gilt decoration on the other. The chain is stamped with Swiss 800 silver marks used 1882-1934.

• Origin: Switzerland, ca 1900
• Condition: excellent, niello intact
• Length: 11-1/4”
• Weight: 16.0 grams

A nice Art Nouveau griffin pendant worked in 18K gold and platinum, the wings set with rose cut diamonds and the open jaws grasping another diamond. The pose, in a sort of near-frontal pose with detailed ribbed wings outspread, is somewhat unusual and makes a dramatic statement. The piece was originally a brooch and pendant combination, but the original pinstem was removed. The clasp remains and is stamped with French 18K marks. The pendant loops are original. The griffin also retains its original hook that would have been used to suspend a watch or a pearl or gemstone drop.

• Origin: France, ca. 1900
• Condition: excellent; a couple of small dings to the back side near the hook
• Dimensions: 1-7/8” x 1-1/2”
• Weight: 6.1 grams
• Approximate Total Diamond Weight: .20 carat

An extremely rare and beautifully made French Art Nouveau pin depicting a sirène (mermaid) and sea monsters. The rarity of the design cannot be overstated—for every 50 or so griffins maybe one mermaid piece turns up. The mermaid is depicted within a trefoil border created by the bodies of the writhing sea monsters. A garland of lilypads (interesting that the designer didn’t remember that lilypads grow in freshwater while mermaids live in oceans) preserves her nether region modesty. She is shown blowing a large conch shell horn that was used to calm the seas for favored sailors and to brings storms to doom the unlucky. The pin retains its original pinstem and clasp marked with French 18K gold marks and also with the master goldsmith’s mark for Alfred Rayat who worked in Paris 1885-1907. A folding bail could be added for wear as a pendant.

• Origin: France, ca. 1900
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 1-3/8” x 1-5/16”
• Weight: 11.0 grams

A very rare pair of Victorian 14K gold bean-back cufflinks, the round faces depicting a young man and woman in Renaissance dress. The face with the man is marked “Romeo” near the border and the lady is marked “Juliette.” Note the French spelling of her name. These same medals occasionally appear in French jewels of the period. Lacking very many good Art Nouveau designers here, American designers sometimes commissioned Parisian jewelers to make certain elements such as the faces of these cufflinks that were later assembled in the U.S. as completed piece of jewelry. At others times, they simply copied the French version. The sharpness in the design, including the lightly stippled background texture, confirms that the faces were made by the original artist in Paris. The connectors are marked with Bippart, Griscom & Osborne’s 14K hallmark.

• Origin: faces, France, ca 1903; remainder, America, ca 1905
• Condition: very good, sharp detail, a small seam separation on one connector bar that doesn't detract from the appearance or utility
• Dimensions: 9/16" diameter
• Weight: 6.4 grams

Lovely Renaissance style gilt copper jewel casket by Jenning Brothers. The interior is fitted with the original blue velvet lining. The center of the lid features a coat of arms. Origin: America. The decorative bottom is marked "JB" with the pattern number "1377". Size: 4.5" long; 3" wide; 2" tall. Condition: Slight rubs through gilding to copper base at corners.

Porcelain plate by Carl Schumann, ca. 1918, in a variation of the "Dresden Flowers" pattern. The scalloped border is reticulated and has a gilt rim. Origin: Bavaria. Size: 11" diameter. Condition: Mint.

Porcelain plate by Carl Schumann, ca. 1918, in a variation of the "Dresden Flowers" pattern. The scalloped border is reticulated and has a gilt rim. Origin: Bavaria. Size: 11" diameter. Condition: Mint.

Topaz Steuben crystal compote in a classic form by Frederick Carder. Unsigned. Excellent condition with only the very slightest surface wear in the bowl. 6" diam.; 4-1/8" tall.

Outstanding sterling silver pastry serving fork in Alvin's rare Art Nouveau "Majestic" pattern. Created in 1900, this pattern was a multi-motif design--each piece was decorated with a slightly different floral pattern. This piece features beautifully detailed daffodils and sinuous foliage. Excellent condition with sharp details and no monogram. 7-1/4" long.

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.

Porcelain decanter in the shape of a bellhop, complete with his ring of keys, decorated with overglaze red, black and pink enamels. The bottom is marked "Germany" and also has a decorator's mark.

Origin: Germany, ca. 1920. Condition: Light glaze crazing; a small chip on the cap and three small flakes at the bottom edge are visible in the photos (all could be easily repaired). Size: 9-1/2" tall.

Figural majolica tobacco humidor in the form of a ball player. The piece is decorated in beautiful, rich colors under the shiny tin glaze. The base is impressed "10830II" and is also painted with the decorator's mark.

Origin: Continental, probably the Low Countries, France or Germany, ca. 1900. Condition: Mint. Size: 6" tall.

Terrific enameled sherry bottle/decanter label. The enamel is applied over metal and has polychrome floral decoration. The chain is brass.

Origin: probably English, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent. Size: 2.5" x 1/5".

Terrific Battersea-style enameled gin bottle/decanter label. The enamel is applied over metal and has polychrome floral decoration. The chain is brass.

Origin: probably English, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent. Size: 2.5" x 1/5".

Lovely 3-tier chintz cake stand in a unknown pattern. The bottom of each piece is marked in blue/green "B/Royal Tudor Ware/Barker Bros. L'td/England" along with a crown. The stem is brass. The whole stand is approximately 12-1/2" tall. The plates are approximately 10", 8" and 6" in diameter. Mint condition--even the gilding around the edges of the plates. Ca. 1920's.

Lovely cut glass powder jar with a silver lid. The finial is a beautifully-detailed strawberry. The edges of the lid are decorated with classical bound reeding. The lid is also monogramed "FC". Hallmarks are European and the silver content is 916/1000.

Origin: Europe, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent. Size: 3-3/4" diam.; 4" tall.