Diamond crescent moon and star brooch in 18 karat gold and silver. Celestial brooch featuring a crescent moon and a star, the whole set with 30 flat-cut foiled diamonds. The diamonds have yellow hues, some darker than others. Antique moon brooch, circa 1870.
Owl hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold)
Diameter : 33 mm
Estimated diamond weight: 0.70 carat
Condition: slight wear scratches
Weight : 9 gr
*The antique box is not sold with the jewel*
More information : Moon-shaped jewelry was very fashionable in the second half of the 19th century. This corresponds to the rediscovery of Greco-Roman civilization and the “lunar triad” composed of Selene, Hecate and Artemis, symbolizing respectively the full moon, the new moon (or black moon) and the crescent moon. Jewelry adorned with one or more moons is highly symbolic, oriented towards the feminine, and is sometimes complemented by a lucky star, meant to show the way.
Victorian micro-mosaic cross pendant in 18 karat gold. Cross pendant with micro-mosaic decoration featuring the words “PAX DEI” meaning “Peace of God” in Latin. In the center, a cross surrounded by two doves, and below, an anchor, an ear of wheat and white flowers. The micro-mosaic decoration is surrounded by a gold-beaded frieze. On the reverse, the cross is inscribed “Xbre M.R.R à M.R.C, 1868”. The anchor is a symbol of hope, but also of early Christianity. The wheat symbolizes Christ, who dies in order to be reborn; and the white flowers symbolize purity and the Virgin Mary. Christian religious pendant, dated 1868, made in Italy for France.
Italian hallmark: crossed keys and miter (active from 1815 to 1870) and eagle head hallmark.
Height (including bezel): 6.5 cm Width: 3.7 cm
Condition: the cross has been restored with a transparent resin to prevent the micro-mosaic from disappearing. This ensures legibility, but is not definitive and can be removed.
Weight : 11.05 gr
More informations : The “Peace of God” is a medieval movement whose origins date back to the 10th century and was intended to impose and guarantee peace for both religious and social reasons. It was mentioned on Italian Grand Tour objects in the 19th century.
Pink sapphire antique ring in 18 karat gold (750). Antique ring with a large natural oval pink sapphire, approx. 0.78 carat. The color of pink sapphire is due to its chromium content, which gives it a beautiful intense hue. The ring is decorated with fine scrolls partially erased by the patina of time. Antique ring, 19th century.
Owl hallmark (French state hallmark for 18 karat gold).
Finger size: 49 UE or 4.75 US (can be changed)
Plate width: 10 mm
Condition: worn patina, slightly deformed ring
Weight : 3.53 gr
Learn more about colored sapphires: Blue sapphire is one of the most prized gemstones in the world, but few people know about the existence of colored sapphires such as green sapphire, pink sapphire, yellow sapphire, and purple sapphire, or even the pink-orange sapphire, also known as “padparadscha,” which is particularly sought after for its rarity. Specifically, pink sapphire is a gem of rare beauty. The intensity of its pink color varies depending on the amount of chromium present in the stone. Like other corundums, pink sapphire has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale.
Gold signet secret ring in 18 karat gold. Opening secret ring, decorated on the plate with the letter J in calligraphy. The ring opens to reveal a secret compartment that can conceal a photo or souvenir. The shoulders of the ring are delicately decorated with a ribbon motif. Antique sentiment ring, late 19th century. Owl hallmarks (18k gold)
Finger size: 52 EU or 6 US (can be changed)
Tray dimensions: 13 x 11 mm
Inner cavity dimensions: 11 x 8 mm
Condition: slight wear scratches, compartment closes well
Étoile d’Amour medal in 18 karat rose gold (750). Medal from the 1960s, decorated with a shooting star set with a flying synthetic ruby above the words “Étoile d’amour” (Star of Love). The reverse of the medal is not engraved. Vintage sentimental jewelry, France, 60’s.
Eagle head hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold) and goldsmith’s hallmark.
Diamond line ring 0.52 ct in 14 karat yellow gold and platinum. Line ring set with five old-cut diamonds in a platinum setting. Antique ring, circa 1930, foreign work.
Vintage French hoop earrings in 18 karat gold. Hoop earrings to be worn like sleeper earrings, under the earlobe. They are round and in solid gold. Vintage earrings, circa 1980, France.
Partially erased eagle head hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold) and illegible goldsmith’s hallmark.
Gold Victorian wedding hair pins. This pair of pins consists of two two-prong combs in blond organic material and a twisted-effect element in 18 karat gold. Sold as a pair. France, late 19th century.
True head jewels, these late 19th-century hair accessories will adorn and sublimate your wedding chignon and add a romantic finishing touch.
Eagle head and goldsmith hallmarks
Height: 9.5 cm Width: 2.1 cm
Condition: scratches from use
Weight: 3.96 gr each
Unit price : 340 €
A smaller pair of the same model is available to complete a set of 4 hairpins (last photo). To view them, click here.
Learn more about antique hairstyles: from the 19th to the 20th century, women styled their hair with tendrils (twists plastered on the forehead) and curls framing each side of the face. They added to their hairstyle a comb, flowers, leaves, or ribbons adorned with jewelry.
Fannière Frères angel ring in 18 karat gold and silver. Antique ring with charming decoration, depicting an angel holding a ribbon. The angel is in silver, mounted on a gold ring soberly decorated with fine striations. The ring is signed on the inside. Ring made by the Frères Fannière, famous 19th-century silversmiths, circa 1870, France.
Fannières Frères signature, trace of eagle-head hallmark.
More information : The company was founded in 1839 by François-Auguste Fannière (1818-1900) and François-Joseph-Louis Fannière (1820-1897), nephews and students of goldsmith Fauconnier. At once designers, sculptors, chiselers and manufacturers, they worked for leading Paris silversmiths such as Baugrand, Duron, Wiese, Odiot, Froment-Meurice and Christofle, then under their own name from 1862. The company was taken over in 1900 by François-Joseph-Louis Fannière’s son, then by Fernand Poisson. Few pieces of jewelry have survived.
Large French antique cross pendant in 18 karat yellow gold. Large pendant in the form of a cross with “bird-tail” ends. Also known as “ecot” cross. On one side, Christ on the cross is surmounted by the word “INRI”, and on the reverse, a Virgin with Jesus as a Child are in the center of the jewel. Three drop-shaped pendants are held at the ends. The cross is decorated with bumps (or ecots) reminiscent of cut branches or rough wood. Limousin regional cross, circa 1880, France.
Eagle head hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold), goldsmith’s hallmark
Learn more : These type of crosses symbolize the tree of life. During periods of epidemics, the branches that protrude from the cross were likened to plague buboes. From then on, crosses with ecots were reputed to cure the disease, or at least protect against it.
Victorian gold cable chain in 18 karat gold. Long cable chain, measuring 55.5 cm, with a beautiful butter gold patina. Antique chain, circa 1900, France.
Eagle head hallmark (French state hallmark for 18 karat gold).
Art Deco Saint-Christopher medal in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum. Rectangular religious medal pendant featuring Saint-Christophe helping the infant Jesus cross a river. The reverse of the medal is decorated with two motorists and an airplane, as well as the phrase (In French) “Look at St-Christophe and go away reassured”. Antique religious medal, signed JS, circa 1930, France.
Theological point: Saint-Christopher is the patron saint of travelers, soldiers and truckers. In Christianity, Saint-Christopher is a tall, strong man who settles on the banks of a tumultuous river. One day, a child comes along and the man decides to help him cross the river, carrying him on his shoulders. Gradually, the child becomes heavier and heavier to carry. The big man thought his time had come, so difficult was the crossing, but miraculously he reached the other bank. It was there that the child revealed his name and mission. This is why Saint Christopher is traditionally portrayed as a bent and exhausted man, sometimes leaning on his staff.