All Jewelry

While most people equate the rise of mourning jewelry with Queen Victoria, it actually predates the widow of Windsor by more than 200 years.

The 17th century was a time riddled with pestilence and death. Diseases ran rampant; many children were dying. Death was on the forefront of everyone's mind and was reflected in the macabre images of memento mori jewelry, a popular jewelry style of the period. Decorated with skeletons and skulls, memento mori jewelry was donned to remind the wearer that they too will die one day. 

However, people's views on death and mourning began to change around 1649 following the execution of King Charles I of England. Many loyalists wanted to show their sympathy and support for the fallen king and commissioned jewelers to make pieces designed with Stuart crystal (the king was of the House of Stuart) with a portrait of the king underneath.

This began a trend among the wealthy elite to have mourning pieces commissioned to remember lost loved ones and also marked the shift from memento mori to mourning jewelry. (Though it really was Queen Victoria who popularized the trend.)

This lovely ring is dated 1830, which is right at the tail end of the Georgian period. It is crafted in rosy 14k gold with a central glass compartment surrounded by tiny seed pearls.

Inside the compartment is a tiny piece of fabric with metallic copper thread. The original owner of the piece said the ring initially had a lock of hair under the glass, but the family thought it was unsightly, so the hair was removed and replaced with the fabric swatch.

The back of the ring bears the inscription: "J.B.M. obit. 5 Meÿ 1830"

This is a wonderful collector piece for any antique jewelry lover!

Measurements

Width: 3/4"
Height: 1/2"
Size: 8 3/4
Weight: 2.61g

Marked: There is a partial number and letter stamp on the outside of the shank, but we cannot make out what they say.

Condition: Very Good
Ring and glass has light surface scratches and patina consistent with age and use. Does not detract.

Victory and desire, the symbolism and mythology behind this brooch will almost make you blush!

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 Eros, the Greek god of desire (more commonly known by his Roman name, Cupid) passing his flame of love to Nike, the goddess on victory, who is perched upon a beautiful chariot.

Shell is set in 14k gold. 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.

This wonderful brooch fastens with a safety catch, which was added later as a replacement to the original C clasp. It also has an attached fold-down bail, which allows the wearer to add it to a chain and wear as a necklace.

Measurements

Width: 1.5"
Height: 1.5"
Weight: 8.49g

Marked: 14k

Condition: Very Good
As mentioned above, the original C clasp has been replaced with an early safety catch. In the photos, the tip of the pin is bent at a right angle. This has since been fixed. However, the entire pin itself is not straight, but it does not affect the way the piece is worn. Piece shows overall normal signs of light wear. Flaws do not detract. Priced accordingly.

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

Fashioned in a silver plated brass, this unusual brooch features a beautiful repoussé Gibson Girl with her trademark contemporary bouffant and waterfall of curls. She is framed by raised flowers to her right and a sizeable 3-dimensional tulip stem to her left.

Brooch fastens with a C catch.

Measurements

Width: 1"

Height: 1 1/8"

Marked: None

Condition: Good
The silver plating is starting to come off and the brass is showing through. Priced accordingly.

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.