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.
Antique gold wedding hairpins in 18 karats gold and blond organic material. These hairpins are composed of two teeth made of blonde organic material and a twisted-effect element in 18 karat gold (750). Sold as a pair. Wedding hairpins from the late 19th century, France.
Genuine head jewels, these late 19th-century hair accessories will adorn and enhance your wedding bun, giving it a romantic final touch. These antique gold pins will be perfect for a religious event or an anniversary.
Height: 8 cm
Width: 1.5 cm
Note: these pins are sold as a pair
Condition: small chip on one of the tips of one of the pins
Weight: 2.1 gr and 2 gr
A larger pair of the same model is available to complete a set of 4 hairpins (last photo). To view them, click here.
More about hairstyles: From the 19th to the 20th century, women styled their hair with “accroche-coeurs” (twists pinned to the forehead) and curls framing each side of the face. They adorned their hairstyles with combs, flowers, leaves, or ribbons adorned with jewelry.
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
French Art Nouveau Spring brooch in 18 karat (750) gold. Antique circular brooch featuring a woman in profile, wearing a bun and surrounded by flowers. The brooch is inscribed “Printemps”. This brooch represents an allegory of the Spring season. It was made by Fonsèque et Olive. Antique brooch, circa 1890, France.
Eagle head hallmark (French state hallmark for 18-karat gold), bears the monogram of the medal maker ED, master hallmark illegible.
Antique French gold watch chain in 18k yellow and rose gold (750). Antique chain that can be worn as a choker or bracelet. The chain is composed of two braided links, adorned with two cylindrical slides with black enameled geometric decoration. Both slides are movable. The chain closes with a large spring ring. Antique watch chain, Napoleon III period, circa 1880.
Rhinoceros and horse hallmarks (1838-1919)
Total length: 30.5 cm Dimensions of spring ring clasp: 19 x 16 mm
Ring size: 13 x 7 mm
Condition: old traces of minor soldering on the chain and some missing enamel. Scratches from use.
French enamel flower ring in 18 karat (750) rose gold. Antique ring with a cartouche decorated with a blue and white enameled flower within a blue border. The shoulders of the ring are decorated with leaves and the band is faceted. This antique ring is suitable for both men and women. Antique wedding band ring, Normandy, second half of the 19th century.
Horsehead hallmark (French state hallmark for 18 karat gold between 1838-1919) and DH goldsmith’s hallmark.
Finger circumference: 63 UE or 10.25 US (can be changed)
Victorian photo portrait enamel ring in 18 karat gold (750). Victorian sentimental ring with a photograph on enamel depicting a portrait of a man. The photograph is sepia-toned, and the man is dressed in late 19th-century fashion. The ring is set in gold, highly decorated with foliage. Sentimental ring, circa 1860-1870, France.
Eagle head hallmark
Size: 61 UE or 9.5 Us (can be changed)
Bezel size: 2 x 2 mm
Condition: scratches to the enamel, small lack at the bottom.
Weight: 3.08 g
More info: In 1854, Lafon de Camarsac invented photographic enamels, and was one of the first to fix photographic images on metal and ceramic materials. Working with Eugène Disdéri, he joined forces with photographers François Martial Pinel Peschardière (1858-1862) and Étienne-Prosper Berne-Bellecour (1864-1865).
French Georgian regional necklace in 18k (750) yellow gold and silver. Rare and lovely French regional necklace, composed of three silver medallions set with imitation diamond glass, linked together by four rows of yellow gold chains. The necklace fastens with an enameled clasp, decorated with a fleuron on a sky-blue background, surrounded by midnight-blue enamel. The two thin chains linking the necklace to the clasp are in metal. Regional necklace from the late 18th – early 19th century, Bresse region, France.
Silver axe hallmark, rooster hallmark (head on right 1798-1809)
Length: 38.5 cm
Dimension of central plate: 30 x 25 mm
Note: The two thin chains linking the necklace to the clasp are in metal.
Condition : Usual wears
Antique mediterranean coral necklace. Four-strands coral necklace with flower clasp in 18k (725) gold. Important necklace composed of four rows of Mediterranean coral pearls of the same diameter. The necklace’s clasp takes the form of a flower adorned with 8 coral pearls and a coral button at its center. The clasp is made of 18 karat gold. Antique necklace, 19th century, circa 1880, France.
Eagle head hallmark (French state hallmark for 18-karat gold) and Ducreux Alfred goldsmith hallmark (active in Paris from 1872).
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