Uncategorized | Antique Jewellery Box

Ornate silver collar

Chunky Victorian 18 inch ornate silver collar, crica 1870 An absolutely quintessential item of Victoriana, this elaborate silver collar is sure to delight! Also known as a book chain, these classic necklaces came to prominence in the 1870s in both the US and the UK. The Victorians would wear these collars over high-necked black dresses - a striking and iconic aesthetic that would form perhaps the most recognisable image of the era. They are to be worn with the integral bolt ring to the front, making for an easier application, and in Victorian times would almost always have a large enamelled locket or cross attached. Our wonderful English example is of uniform width throughout, consisting of chunky ribbed belcher links, each alternate link decorated with a small orb to the top and a large orb to the bottom. The reverse of each link is fitted with a stud to make the chain stand out more against the neck - such thoughtful craftsmanship. The whole design is ultra tight and precise, making for stunning, clean lines of these splendid beads that look almost like a fringe of twinkling gemstones. This necklace certainly has a look that is edgy and modern, despite its 150 year age. It can be worn as it is, or charms can be placed on the bolt ring; it can be stacked against other chains, for example a gold long guard chain for an ultra luxurious look. So fabulous!

Hallmarked: no Tested as solid sterling silver Length: 18 inches Gross weight: 34g Condition: two studs to the reverse are missing; general wear, very good overall; in uncleaned condition - can be cleaned/polished as desired

£270.00 Read more

Sale!

Foiled amethyst locket back brooch

Fine Georgian foiled amethyst and gold locket back brooch Here we have a splendid brooch of circa 1830, comprising foiled amethysts in cut down, closed back gold settings. The stones are all flat cut, with one round cut added as a replacement at a later date. They vary in colour from pale lavender to deep, dark purple. At the centre of the brooch is a vacant domed crystal compartment with a wonderful hinged aperture to verso. The original 'c' clip and pin are in fine working order, together with a later gold safety chain. The piece measures around 23.8mm in length and 18mm in width, with a thickness of approximately 8.1mm. Each stone measures around 4mm in its gold setting.

Hallmarked: no Acid tested as low carat gold Gross weight: 6g Condition: two visible chips to amethysts and one a replacement; small chip to edge of glass locket back

~~£195.00~~ £155.00 Read more

Sale!

Old cut diamond carved half hoop

Victorian old cut diamond 18ct gold carved half hoop ring circa 1890 A fine and substantial high carat gold ring, set with five glittering diamonds. It was likely the prized engagement ring of a Victorian lady, and must have been kept for best as it has so little wear after around 130 years. The round cut centre stone measures approximately 3.2mm, flanked by four graduated stones. Two of these are round cut and two are more of a cushion cut, with the prongs squeezed a little tighter to compensate. It is not particularly noticeable unless you are looking with a loupe. The bigger cushion cut measures around 2.2 x 2.7mm, while its round-cut counterpart is 3mm. The round cut outer diamond is 2.5, and the cushion cut one 2.1 x 2.4mm. Each diamond is cut the old way, with the tip of every culet cut off. Together their very approximate carat weight would be around .4. The setting is a splendid carved, scrolled mount, ornate with backholing and high claw settings that create a wonderful, clean line of these most desired of stones. The band is heavily made in unmarked yellow gold, and feels really comfortable on the hand. It is around 2.4mm. The top of the ring is 18mm across, with a width of 5.1mm and a rise of 4.5mm. This is a ring of timeless design and will give you polish and elelgance on any occasion.

Size: M (UK) / 6 (US) - can be sized by your jeweller Hallmarked: no Circa 1890 Tested as 18ct gold Gross weight: 4g Condition: diamonds have internal flaws and are a little silvery in colour; overall very good

~~£300.00~~ £240.00 Read more

Rose gold mourning brooch

Unusual rose gold Georgian mourning brooch circa 1810 A splendid mourning brooch containing the most beautiful woven hair under a thick panel of glass. It is set in wonderful rose gold and is curved, smooth and chunky. It has its original 'C' clasp and a yellow gold pin (very sharp!). The brooch is around 12.1 x 26.3mm; the pin is 30.3mm. The condition is very nice with only minor wear to the surface of the glass. An historical piece of true quality.

Tests as low carat gold (approx. 9ct) Gross weight: 3g Condition: surface wear to glass; minor wear to gold

£135.00 Add to cart

Sale!

Ornate hair work brooch

Small Georgian ornate seed pearl gold brooch with inscription circa 1825 A truly sweet little brooch with a bevelled glazed panel of hair work at its centre, framed by a border of tiny ivory seed pearls. A further border of ornate gold work makes this piece a little object of art. It depicts a carved floral motif that speaks to the neo-classical sentiment of the era. To the reverse a white metal pin and original 'C' clip are in good working order. An inscription in beautiful Engrosser's Script reads, "A Pledge of Friendship", so interestingly, this is not a mourning piece, as one might expect, but rather a token of amity. It was likely worn every day by a young Georgian lady, on her lace, and put away each night in her jewellery box. It measures 14.2 x 21.2mm. The pin is around 22mm and extends a little further.

Tests as low carat gold Gross weight: 4g Condition: light scuffs to glass panel; wear to gold; visible lead work to reverse

~~£120.00~~ £60.00 Read more

Sale!

Garnet and seed pearl conversion ring

Georgian flat cut garnet and seed pearl lace pin conversion ring This special, one of a kind piece has been made from the sweetest original 15ct gold lace pin of circa 1800. It is set with three foiled, flat cut garnets all tipped with tiny natural seed pearls in a fascinating historical style. Charmingly the seed pearls vary in colour, being more ivory in tone to one end and more of a warm, light champagne hue to the other. One has a very sweet little 'beauty mark' to its centre - this, we believe, occurred naturally in the pearl and has been set in the piece for interest. The garnets do show a bit of age-related wear in their foils, but this is just a delightful piece all round. The former brooch has been beautifully smoothed to the reverse and precision set to an unmarked 9ct gold band of 2.7mm width. The top of the ring measures around 18.7 x 11.9mm, and sits with a flat, low profile on the hand.

Size: L (UK) / 5.5 (US) Unmarked Gross weight: 2g Care advice: do not submerge ring in water as this will degrade the foils Condition: some light wear to pearls, including a small chip to one; overall good - please see photos

~~£270.00~~ £220.00 Read more

Sale!

Vintage garnet and pearl ring

Heavy vintage garnet cabochon and seed pearl 9ct gold ring A fine vintage ring made in the Antique taste, the domed centre set with an open-backed garnet carbuncle, encircled by a halo of wonderful ivory seed pearls. The elaborate shoulders depict posies of little carved flowers accented by beads. The oval top of the ring measures 16.8mm north to south, and 12.8mm in width. It rises by around 6.5mm. The garnet in its gold setting is around 9mm, with a width of 7.6mm. The ring is 19.2mm across both shoulders. The band is a good 2.4mm in width. This is a lovely solid piece of jewellery with an ornate and feminine aspect on the hand.

Size: O (UK) / 7 (US) Hallmarked: yes Composition of gold: 9ct Assay office: London Maker's mark: HB Date letter: indistinct; possibly S (1971) Gross weight: 5g Condition: as original; please see photos

~~£340.00~~ £200.00 Read more