Gold Normandy Saint Esprit pendant in 18 karat gold. Originally from Normandy, it features a dove with its head down, holding an olive branch in its beak. The bird hangs from a bow richly decorated with white paste stones, imitating diamonds. Red and green faceted glass adorns the olive branch at the bottom. A flat ring on the reverse of the pendant allows it to be worn on a velvet chain or ribbon. Norman regional catholic pendant, France, circa 1850.
Victorian French enamel foiled paste cross pendant in silver. This cross is in silver with filigree decoration, forming a cross adorn with paste faceted pink glasses on spangles meant to have a look of pink topaz. A black enamel decoration with white dots covers the entire pendant. A glass bead adorns the upper part of the composition. The bezels are completely closed. French work from the beginning of the 19th century
Georgian mourning hair ring in 9k pink gold. An antique locket ring keeping a braid of hair enclosed behind glass crystal. It is framed by a halo of 16 seed pearls and the settings is formed by two separated strands adorned with an openwork pattern. Jewel from the beginning of the 19th century, circa 1810-1830.
Trefoil hallmark (French State hallmark for 9-karat gold)
Finger size: 53 EU or 6.5 US (adjustment possible)
Ring Head Size: 11 x 11mm
Condition: old trace of size adjustment, wears on the glass, indentations behind the head of the ring.
Weight: 2.11 gr
Hair jewellery was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Jewellery with compartments made it possible to keep a lock of hair of a lover or a missing person (later it will be the photograph). It can be a medallion or a ring for example. There are also jewels made from hair, such as necklaces, chains, bracelets and rings. These hair jewels are worked like textiles: they are woven, embroidered, twisted. A whole craft industry developed around this new fashion, which lasted until the end of the 19th century.
French Victorian pansy ring in 18 karat gold. Antique ring decorated with a pansy in an oval cartouche. Usually, these rings were decorated with multicolored enamels, but these have disappeared. Regional ring, Poitou region, circa 1860, France.
Partially erased horsehead hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold)
Design size: 10 x 9 mm
Finger circumference: 54.5 UE or 7 US (possible sizing)
Enameled Swiss antique locket in 14 karat gold. Antique opening medallion with enamel decoration on a guilloché background depicting a lamb at the foot of the Cross, bearing the inscription “INRI”, meaning the Latin words Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, i.e. “Jesus the Nazarene King of the Jews”, whom Pilate had placed on the Cross. Jesus, also known as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”, is likened to a sacrificial lamb. The contours of the medallion are decorated with fine half-pearls and black enamel. The reverse of the pendant is decorated with chasing and black enamel forming hearts around a rhombus. The locket can be opened to conceal a photograph. It can be worn either way. Antique opening pendant, circa 1880, Switzerland.
Trefoil hallmark for the clasp in 9k, the rest tested 14 karats
Height (including setting): 42 mm
Width: 27 mm
Depth: 9 mm
Condition: tiny missing at bottom left, fine scratches
Antique enamel locket pendant in 18 karat (750) yellow gold. Antique opening pendant decorated on the front with a central band of two flowers on a honeycomb background. The centre is separated by two bands of blue enamel. The ends are decorated with bands of raised dots. The locket opens into a secret compartment that can hold one or two photographs. The back of the locket is in smooth, unengraved matt gold. Antique photo pendant, circa 1880, France.
Eagle head hallmark (french state hallmark for 18 karat gold) and regional flower hallmark.
Dimensions: 35 x 25 mm
Condition: fine scratches from use, without protective glass
French regional diamond drapery necklace in 18 karat (750) yellow gold and silver. Antique regional necklace made up of five silver elements set with rose-cut diamonds. The central pendant holds two dangling diamonds. Round cable mesh chains link each diamond-set element. The main chain is antique yellow gold. Antique Arles drapery necklace, Provence, late 19th century, France.
Boar and eagle head hallmark on the chain, horse head hallmark on the chain (french state hallmarks for 18 karat gold and silver)
Total length: 39 cm Dimensions of central element: 35 x 25 mm
Large amethyst cross pendant in 18 karat (750) yellow gold and silver. Large religious cross to be worn as a pendant, set with 19 round facetted amethysts and paste white stones. Religious ceremonial jewellery, late 19th century, southern France or Italy.
Owl and swan hallmarks (French State hallmarks for 18 karat gold and silver).
Victorian carnelian watch key pendant in 18 karat (750) rose. An antique watch key pendant, adorned with a large orange cornelian. The structure is rose gold, but the key is metal. Late 19th century jewelry, Victorian period.
Owl hallmark
Dimensions: 57 x 33 mm
Condition: Scratches from use on the metal. The key at the bottom is in metal.
Antique flower cut steel bracelet with circular faceted steel links. In the center, a studded steel flower is set on a mother-of-pearl plate. Faceted steel has a way of shimmering in the light, giving off a beautiful metallic reflection. The latch-box clasp is concealed behind a link. Early 19th century bracelet, circa 1830.
Total length: 16.8 cm
Design size: 28 mm x 25 mm
Condition: some oxidation
Weight : 22.34 gr
Steelpoint jewelry: In the 18th century, the most famous workshop was located in Woodstock, England, near Oxford. The fashion for steel jewelry spread to the end of the 19th century in England and to the beginning of the 20th century in France. The advantage of steel is that, when cut into facets, it can sparkle in the same way as pyrite and imitate the brilliance of a diamond.
Originally accessible to a middle-class clientele, steel jewelry became the prerogative of the nobility as soon as it adopted a particular decoration, becoming increasingly sought-after and expensive.
Antique coral bracelet and clasp in 18 karat gold (750). Antique bracelet formed of three rows of coral sticks, joined by a delightful clasp decorated with letters. The clasp is a 14 karat (585) rose gold box, marked with letters “AV”. Antique jewelry, circa 1950. Owl hallmark.
Victorian silver snake watch chain. Antique watch chain made of snake chain, imitating the body of a reptile. The clasp clasps onto the snake’s head, whose eyes are set with two red glasses. Secure screw clasp. This chain can be worn as an ankle chain. Antique chain, circa 1880, France.
Boar hallmark (French state hallmark for 800 silver)
Length: 28.5 cm
Note: This chain can be worn as an ankle bracelet.
Condition: scratches and patina.