Bygones Vintage Clothing

This gorgeous brooch is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of the Art Nouveau period. 

Handcrafted by master French medal maker and engraver Emile Dropsy for the well-known high end jewelry house Maison Savard, this striking brooch features a raised portrait of a lady holding a flower in exquisite detail. Unusual to similar pieces of the era, the back of this brooch also is beautifully decorated with leaves and scroll work -- a true sign of quality.

While Dropsy was relatively unknown in his time, his jewelry gained popularity in the late 19th/early 20th century, so much so that many replicas of his work have been created and sold.

This piece is signed on the front by the artist and the clasp is hallmarked Savard, which guarantees this brooch is authentic.

Measurements

Width: 3/4"

Height: 3/4"

Weight: 2.56 g

Marked: E. Dropsy, Savard

Condition: Good
This brooch has light surface scratches and a lovely vintage patina. There is a tiny hole in the side near the clasp. This may have been created in production as I have seen holes in similar Dropsy pieces. The main issue with this piece is the pin back as it has started to rust. It is still wearable with care. Dropsy pieces are highly collectable. In perfect shape, this brooch would be $200+ Priced accordingly.

Dainty in design with traceries of filigree lacework, this striking bracelet will add just the right amount of artistry and pizzazz to any ensemble!

Fashioned in a silver-toned metal and then plated in a tarnish-proof coating -- usually rhodium or chromium -- this artfully created bracelet features flexible links accented with clear rhinestones.

Bracelet fastens with a double locking clasp, which affords absolute security.

Measurements

Length: 7"

Marked: M J Co

Condition: Very Good
Rhinestones have an almost silvery gray tone to them and one is a touch darker than the rest. The fine filigree work on the clasp is slightly bent from years of taking the bracelet on and off. Not overly noticeable and it does not affect the integrity of the clasp. Priced accordingly.

Take the beauty of the Art Nouveau era with you wherever you go with this gorgeous repoussé brooch.

Fashioned in sterling silver, this striking piece features a 3-dimensional portrait of a beautiful woman's face with flowing locks. An embossed pansy flower, a symbol of love and adoration, rests to the right of her.

Brooch fastens with a safety catch and also has an attached bail so it can also be added to a chain and worn as a pendant.

Measurements

Width: 1"
Height: 1"

Total Weight: 4.35

Marked: Sterling

Condition: Excellent
Silver has a lovely aged patina. No flaws to note.

The imagery on this exquisite brooch looks as though it were plucked right out of an Alphonse Mucha painting, so it should come as no surprise that this is an Unger Bros. original.

Immigrating to the US from Germany, the Unger Brothers began manufacturing high quality sterling pieces in 1878. Their groundbreaking creative and intricate designs helped define the standard in Art Nouveau style and made them the premier manufacturer of Art Nouveau sterling silver items in the US.

Today, many examples of their work can be found in museums around the globe including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Fashioned in sterling silver and shaped into a pansy flower -- a symbol of love and affection -- this tiny masterpiece features a raised relief of a woman's face with long flowing locks wearing a headband or crown. It is amazing the amount of details they were able to capture in a piece of this size. It truly is a miniature work of art!

The back of the brooch is hallmarked with the Unger Bros. UB hallmark and it fastens with a C catch.

Measurements

Width: 3/4"

Height: 7/16"

Weight: 2.82 g

Marked: UB, Fine 925 Sterling

Condition: Excellent
Brooch has a lovely patina and no flaws to note.

We always say, "If this jewelry could talk...." Well, this one can!

This beautiful heart-shaped brooch tells the story of a secret courtship and romance in repoussé. Fashioned in a silver colored metal and layered with a top coat of sterling silver, this striking piece features the raised profile of a gorgeous Edwardian lady coming out of the center of a pansy.

In the Victorian era, the pansy flower was used to communicate affection between two lovers who were secretly courting (since any outward display of love or passion was frowned upon in those times).

This sweet brooch would make a lovely gift for your secret or not-so-secret love.

Brooch fastens with a C clasp.

Measurements

Width: 1 1/16"
Height: 1 1/16"

Marked: Sterling Top

Condition: Very Good
The heart is slightly misshaped and bent on the right bottom edge. (See last photo) Looking at it straight on you would not notice the bend and it lays correctly when worn. It also looks like a little bit of the detail has worn off on the edge of the right side. There is so much detail on this brooch it is hardly noticeable. Priced accordingly.

You don't have to be a bibliophile to appreciate this gorgeous book chain necklace!

Fashioned in brass and then plated with a thick layer of 14k gold, this fabulous chain gets its name from the shape of its links, which resemble little books. Making this necklace a little extra special are the beautiful, raised 4 leaf clovers between every link.

Clovers were a popular motif in jewelry in the 1800s. They were thought to help the wearer ward off demons, hardships and misfortune as well as serve as protection from evil spirits. Clovers were also said to bring the owner success, harmony and many blessings.

Necklace fastens with a large spring ring.

Measurements

Length: 19.25"

Markings: None

Condition: Very Good
Some of the plating is starting to come off of the book chain links and there is one small area where the tarnish is more noticeable. (See photos) The clovers are all very bright and shiny. The second clover in from the clasp has a chip in the gold plate that is only noticeable under very close inspection. Sill a lovely piece. Priced accordingly.

You'll feel like you brought your own personal art gallery with you when you slip on this museum-worthy cameo ring.

Originating in Alexandria, Egypt in 300 BC, cameos have been used throughout the years as status symbols, charms of desire, and teaching tools. They were coveted, collected and popularized by the likes of Napoleon, Queen Victoria and Pope Paul II. One look at this ring and it's easy to see why cameos garner so much adoration.

Handcrafted by skilled artisans in the highly sought after sardonyx shell, this miniature work of art features a white, marble-like carving of a Roman chariot scene set against a rich, warm brown background.

Shell is set in sterling silver and lined with gold vermeil rope detailing. Since the shell is naturally forming, it is irregular in shape. The setting has been created around the odd-shaped shell and therefore is not a flat. See photos for details.

Measurements

Shell: 5/8" x 5/8"

Size: 5.75

Marked: 925

Condition: Very Good
Silver has light surface scratches consistent with age. Cameo has a small crack in the bottom left corner and a tiny chip in the bottom right corner. Both are only visible under a magnified loupe. Does not detract. Priced accordingly.

Simple, yet elegant, this understated beauty will add just the right amount of classic sophistication to any ensemble.

Crafted in 14k white gold, this gorgeous rings showcases a single white cultured pearl accented diagonally by two petite diamond chips.

A great gift or heirloom piece.

Measurements

Size: 6.75"

Weight: 2.86 g

Marked: 14k, DA

Condition: Excellent
Minor gold surface scratches from age. No other flaws to note.

Whether you are saying, "I do," or you are just an admirer of fine antique jewelry, this wonderful band is one for keeps!

Fashioned in thin, rosy 10k gold in the popular Victorian cigar band style, this great ring features an intricate engraved and debossed rectangular pattern of circles and swirls. The delicate design flanks a blank centerpiece, which can be engraved with initials if so desired.

This ring is not your traditional round band. Each rectangular section is angled slightly on either side creating a 12 sided ring. The number 12 carries a lot of religious, mythological and magical symbolism. During the Victorian era (which was choc full of hidden symbolism, secret codes and superstitions), the number 12 represented perfection and completeness -- quite fitting for a wedding band.

The inside of the band is engraved with the initials  M. H. Mc M

 Measurements

Size: 8.25

Band Width: 0.25"

Weight: 1.65g

Material: 10k Rose Gold, acid tested

Date: Circa 1890

Marked: Engraved with initials and four small diamonds, which could be a date hallmark.

Condition: Very Good
Ring has allover light surface scratches, which comes with age and wear. It looks like there are 3 old repair spots. Two to the left of the centerpiece and one to the right. The repairs are clean, but have distorted the pattern on the front, particularly in the debossed areas. Ring is sturdy and has a lot of character and life left. Priced accordingly.

This darling necklace is a wonderful homage to a time when women kept all of their tools and accessories needed for daily life attached firmly at the hip.

Fashioned in antique brass with a lovely aged patina, this sweet little decorative scent bottle features a textured embossed swirl design below a raised star centerpiece accented with a delicate seed pearl.

Bottle does not open. Chain fastens with a pin and tube clasp.

Measurement

Pendant Width: 5/8"
Pendant Length: 1.25"
Chain Length: 18.5"

Marked: None

Condition: Very Good
Bottle does not have any dings or dents. It does have an allover patina from age. That's how you know it's the real deal. Does not detract. Priced accordingly.