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Unusually, perhaps one of a kind, Victorian garnet necklace featuring flowers and arrows set with flat cut bohemian garnets.   The back of the setting is open allowing lots of light to reflect through the stones, enhancing their fire and rich color.

The setting is 800 silver (European).  If polished, it might show a faint rose gold wash.

Dimensions:  17 inches;   flower medallion in the center is 2 inches long

Condition:  excellent and all original,  all stones intact

Year: 1860-70

Price:  $1295

Shipping and insurance:  $18

Reference number:  9592

A French artisan combined both beauty and whimsy to create this brooch.   Fashioned in the shape of an arrow,  this 18kt. gold Victorian brooch has a carved coral fly on one end and rose cut diamonds on the other!   In the center of the arrow is a small but fine quality mine cut diamond.   Circa 1880.

Size:  2.5 inches long (6.4 cm);  coral carving is 0.6 cm by 1 cm

Price: $425

A gift of love created during the height of the Victorian era. 

This footed, silver repoussé box is decorated with scroll work, flowers and cherubs.    It has a beautiful gold gild interior and a warm rich patina on the outside.

European in origin,  800 silver marks on the bottom.  Weight is 3.9 ounces.

Dimensions:  3.25 inches by 3.5 inches;  depth is 1.75 inches

Condition: excellent, no damage or restoration

Year:  1870-90

Price: $425

Reference number: 0981

Domestic shipping and insurance:  $12

I am pleased to be able to offer you a wonderful collection of Victorian cameo jewelry. 

A: sold

B: wonderful pair of Victorian 14kt. yellow gold earrings with a most unusual Gryllus cameo carving.   The unique carving is of a  Zeus and Hera depicted in the Egyptian style with Zeus as Ammon.   (Zeus depicted wearing a ram’s horn).   Excellent, all original condition.  sold

C: Cameos depicting animals are hard to find.   This carving has a dog (representing loyalty) standing next to a woman in Renaissance clothing who is holding a book.   To her left, in the background, is a castle or church tower.   On the right, flowers adorn the base of an obelisk.   The pendant is sterling silver; excellent condition, ca. 1850-70.   Size is 1 and 2/3 inches by 2 inches (not including pendant loop.)   SOLD

D: Fine, high relief,  cameo carving of Aurora, goddess of the dawn.   Aurora (or Eos) was renewed every morning and  would fly across the sky, announcing the arrival of the sun.    The carving is set in an ornate repousse brooch frame made from pinchbeck.  Ca. 1840-60 and in excellent condition.    1.5 by 1.75 inches   $425

E: Large cameo brooch depicting a group of putti’s playing with a goat ! Two cherubs are trying to lead the stubborn goat;  one putti appears to be gathering flowers beneath the goat;  one is riding it and several are trying to push the poor goat.   Whimsical cameo with a unique carving is set in 9kt. rose gold, ca. 1870-90.   Excellent, all original condition.   Nice detail and the dark background provides sharp contrast to the white carving.   2 by 2 and 1/3 inches. $695

F: Superb carving in high relief of Psyche.   On the reverse, is a locket back which contains a plume of light blonde hair, accented with gold wire and seed pearls.  Engraved around the lock of hair is, “In loving memory of Grandmother, Louisa S. Baker, died Oct. 28, 1891.   This memorial brooch is especially poignant as Psyche was the guardian of the Human Soul.   Here, the soul of a beloved Grandmother.

Psyche was goddess of the soul and is always depicted with a butterfly.  In Greek mythology, Psyche was the goddess of the human soul. She was portrayed in ancient mosaics as a goddess with butterfly wings (because psyche is also the Greek word for ‘butterfly’). The Greek word psyche literally means “spirit, breath, life or animating force”.    Excellent, all original condition.  4.3 cm by 3.7 cm.    sold

G: Fine cameo carving depicting two angels being lead towards heaven by a torch bearing cherub.  This carving could be a modified depiction of Day or, it could be a mourning cameo.   I tend to think it is a mourning cameo.   The adult angel has her arms around a young girl leading her towards heaven.  The cherub holds a torch to light their way.

The brooch is 18kt. yellow gold with fine cannetille work around the frame.  1.75 by 2 inches  Circa 1870′s  $895

ThingsGoneBy has some exciting news! The owner of a vast collection of antique hair work jewelry has chosen ThingsGoneBy to sell her collection.

I am deeply honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to offer these wonderful items to you.

The collection is extensive and quite diverse; containing both mourning jewelry as well as sentimental jewelry. They span 200+ years; from early Georgian to early 1900′s.

Due to the size of the collection, items will be photographed in groups, rather than individually.

If you are seriously interested in a specific item and need more information or photos, please don’t hesitate to email.

So, to begin:

# 1775-E Victorian hair work earrings with rose gold fittings. Especially nice with the three articulated hair work drops. Excellent, all original condition. 1.5 inches long, not including wires. $350

# 8.70 Victorian hair work in shape of a bow. The bow has a rose gold forget me not in the center. Dangling from the bow is a puffy rose gold heart and two round hair work balls. The two balls have a few strands of loose hair, otherwise, this romantic piece is in superb condition. This does not have a brooch fitting but one can easily be added. It was designed to be sewn onto one’s clothing. 1 and 1.3 inches wide by 2 inches long. $ 225

#9614 Victorian Snake bracelet with ornate chase work on head and tail. Head is accented with natural turquoise; eyes are set w/garnets. Flexible bracelet is comprised of woven brown hair and gold head & tail. (most likely 14kt gold but has not been tested). Superb condition with a dents on ball hanging from mouth. SOLD

#4404-C Victorian earrings made from a hard to find color of hair. Lovely, light blonde hair is tightly woven and attached to 9kt. rose gold tops/wires. Hair work is in excellent condition. Approx. 1 inch wide and 2 inches long, not including wires. $450 SOLD

# 00.2c Georgian hair work necklace in pristine condition. The puffy, dark brown hair work “beads” are accented with rose gold fittings. The centerpiece of the necklace is a delicate, puffy flower made from light brown hair. Note the ornate rose gold link that it hangs from, which is identical to the clasp. Fine workmanship; French in origin. Length is 17.5 inches; flower is approx. 1 inch in diameter $895 SOLD

#04.13 Unusual Victorian hair work earrings set in 14kt. rose gold. Earrings are 1.5 inches long and in excellent condition; old repair to the back of one earring. $350 SOLD

# 1897 Victorian hair work cross accent with 14kt. yellow gold. Fine quality brooch is in pristine condition. 7/8 inch by 1 inch. SOLD

# 1775-E Victorian hair work earrings with rose gold fittings. Especially nice with the three articulated hair work drops. Excellent, all original condition. 1.5 inches long, not including wires. $350

# 8.70 Victorian hair work in shape of a bow. The bow has a rose gold forget me not in the center. Dangling from the bow is a puffy rose gold heart and two round hair work balls. The two balls have a few strands of loose hair, otherwise, this romantic piece is in superb condition. This does not have a brooch fitting but one can easily be added. It was designed to be sewn onto one’s clothing. 1 and 1.3 inches wide by 2 inches long. $ 225

# 8.54.a Magnificent Georgian bracelet, ca. 1820-30. The clasp is adorned with an ornate 18kt. rose gold monogram set in thick beveled glass or crystal. The initials of the monogram are contrasted by the multicolored hair work beneath them. The contrast is beautiful and quite striking. The bracelet is made of dark brown and medium brown braided hair. The dark brown hair has a hint of gray in it. The clasp has a locket back with light green fabric in it.

Superb, all original condition; French in origin. 18kt. rose gold clasp is 1 and 5/8 inches tall; bracelet is approx. 8 inches long (including clasp and 18kt. gold fittings). SOLD

# 772.a Finely executed, Georgian portrait miniature on ivory depicting a lady in mourning. Note the mourning jewelry she is wearing. The miniature is decorated with an ornate chases work frame and attached to a medium brown hair work bracelet. Setting is pinchbeck. Superb, all original condition. Clasp is 3 cm by 3.5 cm. Bracelet is 7 inches long (including clasp) and 1 inch wide. SOLD

Wonderful two dimensional sterling silver Mizpah brooch highlighted with rose and green gold.

This brooch has several symbols of love other than Mizaph:  the double hearts,  the key (you hold the key to my heart) as well as the Faith, Hope and Charity motif at the top (anchor, cross, heart).

Dimensions:  1 and 2/3 inches by 1 and 3/4 inches.

Year:  Birmingham hallmarks for 1880

Condition:  excellent

Price:  $245

Reference number: 00.45F

Sweet double heart Mizpah brooch in 9kt. rose gold. A warm, rich patina enhances the fine detail.   Mizpah symbolizes the unbreakable bond between two people who are separated, even if they are separated by death.

The symbolism is from Genesis 31:49:   “And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.”

Dimensions:  1.8 cm by 3.2 cm (approx. 6/8 inch by 1 and 3/8 inches),  brooch weighs is 2.1 grams

Year: 1885-1905

Condition: excellent

Price: $245

Reference number: 9.01-T

A gorgeous  snake brooch accented with a large rose cut diamond and two cabochon ruby eyes.   This fine quality brooch is 14kt. gold and can also be used to hold a watch or pendant.   The rose cut diamond is triangular,  white in color and beautifully faceted.

Dimensions:   weight is 9 grams,   approx. 1.25 wide and 1.25 inches high (3.2 cm by 3.4 cm) , diamond measures 0.4 cm by 0.5 cm

Year:  1880-90

Condition:  excellent and all original

Price: $895

Reference number:  9607

Unique pendant featuring a large, superbly faceted smoky quartz.   Atop the round gem rests a carved scarab beetle with yellow gold legs and antennae.    The pendant’s original, faceted bale is still intact.

Symbolism:

Smoky quartz was often used to remind the wearer that there is light in the darkness.  Legend has it that rubbing the stone will give one a feeling of security and calm.

The scarab is a symbol of regeneration and rebirth, thus scarab jewelry was thought to bring protection, luck and vitality to the wearer.  Ancient Egyptian soldiers were given scarabs before going into battle.  Women were given scarabs for fertility.

Dimensions:  1 inch in diameter;  1.5 inches long (including bale).  Depth is approx. 3/4 inch.

Year:  1930-40

Condition: pristine

Price: $695

Reference number: 9510