Catalog (2433)

A classic 19th century French silver tastevin of traditional form and the bottom inset with a silver coin from the reign of Louis XV. The sides of the tastevin are decorated with the traditional raised "perles", recessed "cupules" and elgongated "godrons" for viewing the depth of color in a wine. The coin, dating to 1734, depicts the profile of the king surrounded by the legend "Louis XV, by grace of God, king of France and Navarre." The obverse of the coin, with sharp detail, can be seen from the bottom of the tastevin. The taster is completed with a handle in the form of a pair of snakes grasping an apple. In this example, the snakes' heads are shaped somewhat like ducks' heads, a characteristic of a certain group of tastevins from the Burgundy region. Stamped with an unknown maker's mark with the initials "EE".

Origin: France, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, sharp detail to the tastevin, typical wear to the front of the coin. Dimensions: 3-1/4" x 4-1/8" x 7/8". Weight: 82.0 grams.

A lovely Art Nouveau etched and enameled cameo glass perfume bottle by Cristalleries Saint-Louis. The design features a design of enameled thistles against a frosted-ice background. The enameling is done in multiple shades of yellowish-green, mauve and violet. The rim is highlighted with a simple band of gilding echoed by the gilt star at the top of the lapidary stopper. The bottom has a large polished pontil. This style is typical of the naturalistic motifs used by Saint-Louis around 1900.

Origin: France, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, no chips or cracks. Dimensions: 8-1/2" tall.

A nice, heavy pair of figural 14K yellow gold cufflinks, each of the faces designed as a golf bag with a selection of clubs. The cufflinks are finished with nice details such as the grooves on the irons and the textured surface of the bags. The faces are connected to an older style of toggle backs. The backs are stamped 14K.

Origin: America, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Dimensions: faces, 15/16” long. Weight: 9.2 gr.

An elegant pair of Victorian 18K yellow gold cufflinks, the baton faces very finely and ornately engraved in a foliate pattern. The faces are joined by chains. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

Ca. 1875. Condition: excellent, all original, sharp detail. Dimensions: faces, 11/16” long. Weight: 5.6 gr.

A lovely Art Nouveau 14K yellow gold ring set with an oval brilliant-cut citrine. The setting is particularly elegant. The stone is flanked on either side by a golden fuschia blossom. The citrine is of the very best quality, with extremely saturated orangey-gold color and exceptional brilliance. The interior of the shank is stamped 585 for 14K.

Origin: Continental Europe, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Finger Size: 6-3/4. Weight: 5.7 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: citrine, 2.18 cts.

An elegant first standard (950/1000 pure silver) French silver tastevin in typical 18th century Burgundian style. Rather than with the typical "perles" and fluted "godrons", the bowl of this tastevin is decorated with repousse grape leaves and berries in the 18th century style. This treatment is sometimes seen in tastevins made by Parrod, but the particular decoration is different than any other we've seen. Similarly, the handle, in the form of two duck heads grasping an apple is a very exaggerated variation of the usual form seen on tastevins from Lyon. The base is fully hallmarked and has an unidentified silversmith's mark "M tête grec D".

Origin: France, ca. 1850. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 3-3/16" diameter (excluding handle). Weight: 72.3 grams.

A lovely set of Cartier silverplated cocktail picks, buffet markers and champagne whisks, presented in their original fitted and embossed case. The finial of each pick is pierced with “Shou” the Chinese symbol for “longevity.” The double-sided finials allow the picks to double as buffet markers, by inserting a small card to identify cheese, charcuterie or finger sandwich selections presented on a cocktail buffet table. And finally, the piercing of the finials allows the picks to be used to aerate a glass of champagne to keep the bubbles flowing. The picks are presented in their original fitted box, the silk interior lid stamped with Cartier’s Paris/London/New York mark. The bottom of the box is stamped “Cartier Ltd,” indicating the picks were designed and sold in London. Each pick is stamped with a serial number.

Origin: England, ca. 1920. Condition: picks are excellent; the box has wear consistent with age, as well as an old auction or retail label on the top cover. Dimensions: picks 3” long.

A handsome and heavy pair of 14K yellow gold double-sided cufflinks, the oval faces engraved with in a spiral pattern. The engraved design creates an interesting play of light and shadow. The back of each face is stamped with Carrington’s 14K hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1910. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 17/32” x 3/4”. Weight: 10.4 gr.

An 18K yellow gold Sputnik pendant by H Stern. The dome is bezel-set with 19 round citrines, amethysts, pink and green tourmalines, garnets, and aquamarines. This design was created in the 1950's to highlight the range of colored gemstones available from Stern's Brazilian mines. It came to be called "Sputnik" because of its resemblance to the spiky Soviet satellite launched in 1957. Each piece has a unique appearance depending on the particular selection and placement of the stones. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

Origin: Brazil, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent, no dings. Dimensions: 13/16". Weight: 3.7 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 4.96 cts.

A handsome pair of Art Deco 14K yellow gold cufflinks, the faces set with oval cabochons of pale greenish-blue tourmaline. The stones' color, resembling aquamarine, is most unusual for tourmaline. The backs are marked "14K."

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: faces, 3/4" x 5/8". Weight: 12.5 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 6.8 cts.

An elegant pair of French 18K yellow gold double-faced cufflinks, each face set with four rubies in star mountings surrounding a central rose cut diamond. The gemstones add a very attractive sparkle and color without being overwhelming. The faces are connected by gold chains. Stamped with French 18K marks.

Origin: France, ca. 1900. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 13/32" diameter. Weight: 4.1 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: diamond, .02 ct; ruby. .05 ct.

A handsome pair of 14K yellow gold cufflinks in a classic barbell design. The larger front faces are star-set with small natural rubies. The stones have intense color that shows nicely against the gold. The connectors are marked "14K."

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent, all original. Dimensions: 1-3/16" long; larger faces, 1/2" diameter. Weight: 9.8 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .25 ct.

A handsome pair of double-sided 14K yellow gold cufflinks adorned with engine-turned engraving in a star pattern enclosed within opaque blue champleve enamel borders. The connectors are stamped with the mark for Strobell & Crane (Newark).

Origin: America, ca. 1920. Condition: excellent, no enamel damage. Dimensions: faces, 5/8" diameter. Weight: 8.1 gr.

A vintage 14K yellow gold tie bar or money clip in the form of three golf clubs. The detailing of the clubs' handles is very nice. The back of the tie bar has an eyelet that can be used to anchor a safety chain if the piece is used as a tie bar. This piece is marked "14K" and was probably made by Larter. Larter made much of the men's gold jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and we have seen this exact piece with Tiffany's hallmark.

Origin: America, ca. 1950

Condition: excellent

Dimensions: 3-1/8" x 5/8"

Weight: 12.2 grams

A classic pair of 18K yellow gold double-sided cufflinks, the oval faces bezel-set with round blue sapphires. The faces are slightly concave and are highlighted with a brushed Florentine finish. The connectors are marked "750" for 18K.

• Circa 1960
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 11/16" x 1/2"
• Weight: 10.3 grams
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .24 carat

A nice pair of late Edwardian 14K yellow gold double-faced cufflinks, each face centering an oval blue sapphire cabochon surrounded by engine-turned engracing. The sapphires have deep blue coloring. The back of one cufflink is engraved "Linked with fondest memories" and the other completes the inscription with "To J.M. from R.M. 1919." The connectors are stamped "14K" and have the maker's mark for Wordley, Allsopp & Bliss.

• America, ca. 1919
• Excellent, original condition
• Dimensions: 5/8" x 1/2"
• Weight: 8.5 grams
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 3.28 carats

Lovely French Second Empire 18K yellow gold, ruby and pearl earrings. Each earring features a surmount set with a round ruby in a buttercup mounting suspending a scrolled drop terminating in a second ruby and seed pearl drop surrounded by an engraved horseshoe. The rubies are relatively pastel, with a soft reddish-pink coloring. The earrings have lots of movement and sparkle. The original wires are stamped with French 18K marks.

• Origin: France, ca 1850
• Condition: Excellent
• Dimensions: 1-11/16" long (from top of ear wire); 1/2" wide.
• Weight: 3.8 grams
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: .76 carat

A classic 19th century French second standard (800/1000 pure silver) silver tastevin of traditional form and the bottom inset with a silver coin from the reign of Louis XV. The sides of the tastevin are decorated with the traditional raised “perles,” recessed “cupules,” and elongated “godrons” for assessing the depth of color and concentration of a wine. The coin, dating to 1732, depicts the profile of the king surrounded by the Latin inscription “Louis XV, by grace of God, king of France and Navarre.” The taster is completed with an especially fine double-snake handle. While double snakes are the traditional handle form for Burundian tastevins, the pretzel-like shape and the realistic appearance of the entwined snakes is a most unusual treatment. The handle and bowl are stamped with French 2nd standard silver hallmarks and the bowl also has an unidentified master silversmith's mark.

• Origin: France, ca. 1880.
• Condition: very good; a small ding to one side of the bowl; typical wear to the front of the coin; reverse side of the coin has sharp detail.
• Dimensions: 2-13/16” x 3-5/8” x 3/4".
• Weight: 56.4 grams.

A lovely Victorian pendant/pin in a snowflake pattern. The 14K yellow mounting is set with seed pearls and sapphires around the central old mine cut diamond. The design is very elegant and delicate. The back retains the original pinstem/clasp and pendant loop. Marked 14K.

NOTE: The pendant is shown with an optional 16" 14K chain.

• Origin: America, ca. 1900.
• Condition: one pearl deficient; all original.
• Dimensions: 1" diameter.
• Weight: 3.2 grams.
• Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: sapphire, .18 carat; diamond, .03 carat.

A delightful and very rare French Art Deco silverplate cocktail shaker with enamel recipe decoration by Deschamps Frères of Paris. The enameled decoration depicts a pair of scrolled documents with seals presenting recipes for “Torelli” and “Winter Palace” cocktails. Both are rather unusual variations on a classic martini. Adolphe Torelli was the barman at the famous Winter Palace Hotel in Nice. His book, “900 Recette de Cocktails et Boissons Américaines: Guide du Barman et du Gourmet Chic” (“900 Recipes for American Cocktails and Drinks: A Guide for the Bartender at the Stylish Gourmet”) was published in 1927. It was among the first important bartender’s books from the cocktail era. This shaker was likely produced just after the publication. Deschamps Frères opened in 1920 and was known at the time for its interesting enameled silverplate barware, but the items are quite rare today and the enamel is often in poor condition. The bottom is stamped with Deschamps’ maker’s mark.

• Origin: France, ca. 1927.
• Dimensions: 8-1/4” tall.
• Condition: good; no dings; some yellow enamel loss; isolated pitting, light dulling and superficial scuffs to some areas of the plating.

A classic pair of double-sided 14K yellow gold cufflinks, the round faces enhanced with engine-turned engraving and opaque black champleve enamel borders. The borders are further accented with a gold strapwork motif. The connectors are marked with unidentified American hallmarks, “HB” and “14K”.

• Origin: America, ca. 1920.
• Condition: excellent, no enamel damage.
• Dimensions: 19/32” diameter.
• Weight: 9.2 grams.

A wonderfully detailed mallard duck, worked in multicolored 15K gold and green enamel flies across the finger in this Edwardian stickpin conversion ring. The feathers are beautifully worked in yellow, rose and green gold as well as a touch of platinum. The shank is 14K.

• Original stickpin, circa 1900
• Excellent condition
• 13/16" x 1/2"
• Size 7
• 2.3 grams

A lovely, and rather heavy Art Nouveau 18K gold watch pin decorated with finely cast and engraved fuchsia blossoms and leaves. Even the overall inverted teardrop shape of the pin is reminiscent of the drooping profile of a fuschia. In Victorian flower language, the fuschia represented "good taste." Pin retains the original clasp and watch hook. It could also be worn as a pendant with the addition of a couple of hidden loops to the back that could be attached to a split chain. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

• Origin: America, ca. 1890
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 1-1/8" x 1-1/16"
• Weight: 5.7 grams

A classic Venetian Etruscan 18K gold charm set with round amethysts. The gold surfaces are ornately worked with rosettes, beaded and rope-twist decoration. The amethysts have nice medium-light violet color that contrasts beautifully with the surrounded gold. Charms of this type are usually extremely large, but this example is in a rare smaller size that’s easier to wear on a bracelet or as a pendant. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

• Origin: Italy, ca. 1955
• Condition: excellent
• Dimensions: 3/4" wide x 1” high (excluding jump ring)
• Approximate Total Amethyst Weight: 3.04 carats
• Weight: 6.2 grams

A very fine lapis plaque (Afghan quality) with beautiful even violetish-blue color set in a 14K gold mounting. The stone is held in place by gold scrolls reminiscent of cresting waves. The same design follows down the side of the shank. Afghan lapis has no eye-visible white calcite spots, but may have some sparkly pyrite, and is the highest quality level. The interior of the shank is stamped “14K China” and has an unknown maker’s mark. The quality of the mounting matches the quality of the gemstone. The ring could be worn by a man or woman.

• Origin: China, ca 2010
• Condition: excellent
• Finger Size: 8-1/2
• Dimensions: 7/8” x 9/16” at crown; tapering to 1/4” at back of shank
• Weight: 8.3 grams

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

A classic Pforzheim school silver Jugendstil brooch decorated with plique-a-jour enamels, moldavite and seed pearls. The translucent enamels have the velvety texture and very subtle coloring typical of many Pforzheim jewels of the period. The reverse is marked "Depose 900" and has the maker's mark for Karl Hermann (Hermann & Speck), one of the leading German Art Nouveau jewelers.

Origin: Germany, ca. 1900. Condition: very good, some light crazing to enamel, but no unstable or missing pieces. Dimension: 1-1/4" x 1-3/8". Weight: 5.2 grams.

A handsome man's ring worked in 14K yellow gold and featuring a saddle cut lapis cabochon. The mounting is engraved in the angular foliate style typical of Egyptian Revival jewelry of the 1920s. The color of the gold is bright yellow, with perhaps a slight tinge of green, that nicely accents the rich colors of the lapis. The interior of the shank is stamped "14K" and also has an unidentified maker's mark.

Origin: America, ca. 1930. Condition: excellent; nice detail. Dimensions: 7/16" wide, tapering to 1/8" at the back of the shank. Finger Size: 12. Weight: 7.6 gr.

A fine pair of late Victorian 14K yellow gold bean-back cufflinks, the front faces decorated with ornately fashioned coiled snakes. The gold surface is treated to the soft, semi-matte bloomed finish sometimes seen in Victorian and Art Nouveau jewels. Kirby seemed particularly partial to snakes and produced several different serpent designs for cufflinks. In Victorian symbology, snakes conveyed sentiments of eternal love. Each cufflink is stamped “14K” and bears the maker’s mark for H. A. Kirby & Co.

• Origin: America, ca. 1890.
• Dimensions: faces, 3/4" x 1/2".
• Weight: 4.9 grams.
• Condition: excellent; all original.

A noble poodle stands encircled in a ring of gold in this Art Deco period French 18K gold charm or pendant. The dog’s stylized design echoes the ribbed and twisted rope motifs along the edges. The pendant retains the original matching jump ring. Stamped with French 18K gold marks.

• Origin: France, ca. 1935.
• Condition: excellent.
• Dimensions: 13/16” wide; 1 1/8” height (including jump ring).
• Weight: 4.8 grams.

A handsome pair of 14K yellow gold cufflinks in the classic button style. Each round face is fashioned as a button, complete with gold stitches. The faces are lightly decorated with a crosshatched surface for contrast with the shiny, raised borders. The toggle backs are marked “14K”.

Origin: America, ca. 1980. Condition: excellent. Size: 3/4" diameter. Weight: 9.9 grams.

An unusual 18K yellow gold pendant in the Sputnik design by H Stern. Most examples of Sputnik jewelry are set with multi-colored gemstones, but occasionally a piece turns up with a single color—in the case amethyst. The design was created in the 1950s to highlight the colored gemstones available from the Stern mines in Brazil. It later earned the nickname “Sputnik” for its resemblance to the spike Soviet satellite launched in 1957. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

Origin: Brazil, ca. 1955. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: 3/4” diameter. Weight: 2.4 gr. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 2.51 cts.

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.

A nice, heavy pair of 14K gold cufflinks, the faces constructed as ornately interlocking square knots worked in both yellow and rose gold. The baton backs repeat the color theme. The cufflinks are marked “14K”.

Origin: America, ca. 1935. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: front faces, 1/2” x 9/16”. Weight: 12.6 gr.

An elegant second standard (800/1000 pure silver) French tastevin. Rather than the typical "perles" and fluted "godrons", the bowl of this tastevin is decorated with repousse grape leaves and berries in the 18th century style. This treatment is sometime see in tastevins made by Parrod, one of the most influential makers of tastevins in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The handle is in the tradition form of two entwined snakes grasping an apple in their mouths, thought to remind drinkers of temptation and sin. The tastevin is fully hallmarked and has an illegible maker's mark.

France, ca. 1925. Condition: excellent, sharp detail. Dimensions: 3-1/4" x 4-1/4" x 1". Weight: 53.5 gr.

A classic pair of Edwardian almandite garnet cufflinks, the oval gemstones set simply in 18K yellow gold collet settings. The faces are attached by chains to torpedo backs. The garnets are of nice quality, having a slightly more orange coloring than is typical of almandite--nearly in the color range for spessartite garnet. Tested and guaranteed 18K.

Ca. 1910. Condition: excellent, all original. Size: 5/8" x 5/16". Weight: 6.6 grams. Approximate Total Gemstone Weight: 5.78 carats.