Enamel Historical Memorabilia

Early 20th century English Enamel Equestrian Silver Flask Unidentified Maker England; early 20th century Silver, enamel Approximate size: 6 (h) x 3 (w) x 1.25 (d) in. Crafted in E...

The spiritualist movement may have begun in the 19th century in America, but it was still alive and well at the turn of the century, when this magnificent and rare occult collectible...

An extremely rare ring that commemorates the naval hero, Horatio Nelson, who died in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, fighting against the Napoleonic forces. Dr William Nelson, the admiral's brother, ordered 58 mourning rings for family and friends and every admiral and post-captain who fought at the Battle of Trafalgar . The ring is inscribed on the bezel ‘Trafalgar’; outside the hoop with Nelson’s motto in Latin, ‘Let him who earned it bear the palm [of victory]’, adopted by Nelson from a poem ‘Ad Ventos’ written in 1727 by John Jortin (1698-1770). Inside is the inscription ‘Lost to his country 21 October 1805, aged 47’. The initials N and B stand for Nelson and Bronte. Admiral Nelson was given the title of Duke of Bronte in 1799 by the King of Sicily and in 1801 became a Viscount. The two coronets above the initials refer to these titles. Tthe motto Palmam qui meruit ferat ("let him who has earned it, bear the palm") was added to his coat of arms in 1798 after the Battle of the Nile. Nelson was buried with full honours in St Paul's Cathedral. His cortege consisted of 32 admirals, over a hundred captains, and an escort of 10,000 soldiers. This ring is an example of only fifty-eight that were made by Nelson's jeweller John Salter in 1806. Thirty-one were for Nelson's close family and friends, the rest for pall-bearers and other dignitaries (see The Nelson Dispatch, vol.3 pt.XII, oct.1990). Three similar examples of this ring are held extremely prestigious museums in the capital. One is in the Greenwich National Maritime Museum in London, another in The British Museum in London and another in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, exhibited in the Jewellery Gallery, case 23, no. 8. The ring has a particularly special provenance, arguably like no other mourning ring of Admiral Nelson’s. The ring belonged to the Reverend Alexander John Scott. The Reverend Alexander John Scott (1768-1840) was a British naval chaplain. He was appointed to the flagship H.M.S. Victory in 1803 where he served as private secretary to Lord Nelson. He was with Nelson when when he was shot on the quarter-deck of the Victory at the battle of Trafalgar on the 21st October 1805. Scott attended his dying chief in the cockpit of the flagship, receiving his last wishes. He refused to leave Nelson's body until it was brought back to England and placed in the coffin to lie in the Painted Hall Greenwich. The ring, lock of hair and music book were passed down by the direct descendants of the Reverend Alexander John Scott's family and eventually gifted to the previous owners. The music book was a personal possession of the Reverend which gives watertight provenance of the person who owned the ring. It is not clear exactly what Admiral Nelson’s last words really were although Scott documents Nelson’s last words to be “God and my country“. However, it is also recorded that a statement during his last hours was "Thank God I have done my duty.” Perhaps these two statements uttered in the last moments sound similar when mumbled by a feeble dying man. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy is that Scott remained by Admiral Nelson’s side as he died and his version is probably the most reliable. The lock of hair is reputedly that of Lord Admiral Nelson. Without a DNA test there can be no conclusive proof of such. However, given that Reverend Alexander John Scott was with Nelson from the moment he was shot on the quarter-deck of H.M.S. Victory until the moment he was placed in his coffin, there is no reason to believe it is not a lock of Nelson’s hair. It is difficult to overstate the significance and rarity of Nelson’s mourning rings. With only fifty-eight made, the vast majority of them were given to close family members and only a few were given to close friends. A close friend who receives a morning ring...

A magnificent and rare English sterling silver photograph frame by the top notch silversmith, Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company L...

This enamel-on-iron street sign, produced in Israel in 1948, features Hebrew and English text in a classic blue-on-white design. It marks "Rehov HaGaon Eliyahu," a street named in ho...

A rare find are these totally original enamel gents matching cufflinks dating from the 1930s. Great Art Deco geometric styling and color, can't be confused with any other era can the...

A monumental vintage advertising sign from France, believed to be custom one-of-a-kind, the giant sign crafted of metal, dual sided, polychrome enamel paint...

For your consideration are these wonderful and original 1930s Art Deco three toned gents cufflinks. Slightly staggered and raised three toned enamel cufflinks on a rolled rose gold b...

Extremely stylish and totally original are these matching pair of English 1930s Art Deco modernist enamel gents cufflinks. Fabulous geometric patterning and color, with a slight mode...

Extremely stylish and totally original are these matching pair of English 1930s Art Deco modernist enamel gents cufflinks. Fabulous geometric patterning and color, with a slight mode...

For your consideration are these wonderful and original 1930s Art Deco three toned gents cufflinks. Slightly staggered and raised three toned enamel cufflinks on a rolled rose gold b...

Antique 19th Century Austrian exceptionally rare solid silver gilt, enamel and rock crystal drinking horn, by Hermann Ratzersdorfer, Vienna, circa 1880s. The drinking horn is made of...

These exquisite portrait plaques were made in the French town of Limoges, which is renowned for the fine quality of its enamel wares. The panels have been painted with oval, half-length portraits of British Tudor monarchs...

Russian Silver and Enamel "Mizpah" Sentimental Brooch, Judaica Interest, Circa 1880, Unmarked. Museum Quality. 340 Grams of Silver A finely crafted Victorian-era silver brooch, deli...

This charming set of brushes and jars was once used by a well-to-do lady to store her cosmetics and maintain an elegant updo hairstyle. Also known as a toilet service...

This is an absolutely rare and one of a kind custom made Plaque represents the History of Jewish People and their acceptance in society and freemasonry through out the world. The Plaque had been hand crafted and designed by August Klein- Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court of the Emperor Franz Josef of Austria. The Revolution of 1848 in the Austrian Empire seen by many Jewish intellectuals as a welcome opportunity to agitate for the emancipation of their community. Generally the social evolution of the Jewish community, the growing number of Jews who wanted to become Masons,their cultural integration, and the progress of the process that would soon lead to their legal emancipation all worked in favor of this change in attitude. In Austria it all started in 1742, only 25 years after the founding of the Grand Lodge of London and Winchester, the Lodge "Aux Trois Canons” was consecrated in Vienna by a Lodge from Breslau. It was, however, closed only six months later by order of “Empress” Maria Theresa I. Her husband Franz Stephan von Lothringen, (later the German Emperor Franz I...

This enamel-on-iron street sign, produced in Israel in 1948, bears the name "Rehov Ba'al-Nes" in Hebrew (רח' מאיר בעל-נס) and transliterated into Latin script as "Rehov Ba'al-Nes." T...

An orignal enamel sign that was used as a warning for the people on one the ABC Islands. Papiamentu (or Papiamento) is a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, a...

A Vietnam war naval "Air Medal" and issued to lieutenant commander Dennis Moore of the U.S. Navy for "meritorious achievement in aerial flight. The medal (complete set of medal and ...

Three languages iron and enamel street sign, circa 1920. The sign was made for 58 street in the city of Haifa. The three languages indicate the sig...

Antique 20th Century framed enamelled London street sign, created for Strand, WC2 (Central London, Westminster). This sign showcases the icon...

Rare early 20th century opticians English enamel trade sign A rare example of an early 20th century opticians English enamel trade sign. With highly decorative graphics, stating ...

his is an original enamel-on-iron street sign from Israel, dating to 1948. The sign bears the name "Rehov Yirméya" in both Hebrew (רחוב ירמיה) and its transliteration into Latin scri...

This enamel-on-iron street sign, made in Israel in 1948, displays the name "Rehov Elisha" in both Hebrew and English. The Hebrew inscription, "רח' אלישע," translates to "Elisha Stree...

This enamel-on-iron street sign, produced in Israel in 1948, features bold Hebrew lettering spelling "רחוב החיל" (Rehov Ha-Hail), translated into English as "Street of the Soldier." ...

Antique 20th Century enamelled London street sign, crafted for Harley Street, W1 (Central London). This sign features the classic red and bla...

This is without question a most unique Austrian silver cigarette case, the front of the case is decorated with a finely detailed road ma...

'Duchesse de Richmond' French Limoges enamel portrait plaque French 19th century Height 22cm, width 16cm, depth 2cm This exquisite Limoges enamel plaque is based on a painting of the Duchess of Richmond by the 17th century French artist, Henri Gascar...

Three languages iron and enamel street sign, circa 1920. The sign was made to Honor Bezalel who was the chief artisan of the Tabernacle and was in charge of building the Ark of the Covenant...