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Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

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Material: Jade
Cartier Art Deco, 18K Powder, Lipstick 4.365 Oz. Auction Prices exceeded $35000
Located in Soquel, CA
Cartier 18 Karat Yellow Gold Powder - Lipstick 4.365 oz., Art Deco, Rare - Paris Rare and Precious Object from Cartier Paris, 1920-1925, .750-18KT yellow gold, carved antique Jade, 30 Ceylon sapphires, enamel. Please note the recent auction records prices reflect sales of $28,000-$40,000 for one of these compacts. The Jadeite Jade plate comes from the apprêts. The term apprêts referred to a stock of fragments from disassembled jewelry and other objects, including ancient items...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Vintage 18K Carved Rock Crystal, Jade and Diamond Lily of the Valley Clip Brooch
Located in Norwood, NJ
A lovely 18K yellow gold vintage floral brooch realistically modeled as lily of the valley, set with frosted carved rock crystal flowers, each suspending a sparkling full round cut diamond, mounted on an 18k yellow gold stem and a carved jade leaf...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Rock Crystal, Gold

Antique French Style Chased Repoussé Gilt Telephone with Carved Jade Inset
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique French style telephone. Decorated in the Asian style. Hand chased gilt brass. Inset with carved jade moth plaque. Bakelite and brass handset. Circa 1920's. Made by Bensabott ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Metal, Brass

Antique White Jade Chinese Hair Pin Finely Carved
Located in Somis, CA
This beautiful white jade hair pin is a work of art. An oval head with scalloped edges is fully carved in three dimensions, showcasing an elegant peasant perched among the branches o...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Antique Tibet Po Cha Mug Silver Finely Engraved Jade White Coral
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Antique Tibet Po Cha Religious Mug Silver finely engraved White Jade Coral , refined object of great class and history, in excellent condition.
Category

1880s Tibetan Tibetan Antique Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Silver

Jade, Amethyst And Diamond 14K Gold Form Brooch Pin
Located in Norwood, NJ
14k yellow gold brooch in the form of a floral grouping. Set with amethyst flowers, jade leaves and single cut diamonds. Marked 585 with makers mark. Weight 16.4g.
Category

20th Century Italian Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Amethyst, Jade, Gold

Jade And Coral 14K Gold Strawberry Branch Pin Brooch
Located in Norwood, NJ
This vintage brooch represents a branch of a strawberry plant with engraved jade leaves. The vines are from 14k yellow gold and the strawberries are of carved coral. Carved crystal f...
Category

20th Century Austrian Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Coral, Jade, Gold

Vintage Polished Agate Gold Hinge Mounted Bangle Bracelet.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This exquisite vintage bangle bracelet is a true statement piece, featuring a captivating combination of polished red-orange agate and luxurious gold accents. The agate showcases a s...
Category

20th Century Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Jewel walking stick depicting an eagle’s head, signed André Aucoc, France 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Walking stick: jeweled stick, sculpted nephrite jade knob, depicting the head of an eagle, glass paste eyes, 18K gold band and ebony wood barrel. Signed André Aucoc (1856-1911). Andr...
Category

Early 20th Century French Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Antique 14K Gold And Jeweled Articulated Snake Bracelet
Located in Norwood, NJ
Art Deco jeweled 14k gold, diamond, Jade and amethyst enameled and articulated bracelet in the form of a snake. 8 rose cut diamonds. Jade and amethyst cabochons with multicolored en...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Amethyst, Jade, Gold, Enamel

Antique Chinese Black-and-White Jade Pebble Snuff Bottle
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Chinese Black-and-White Jade Pebble Snuff Bottle, nephrite carved in the overall shape of a white peach of longevity with a black bat of happiness resting...
Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Jade And Rock Crystal 14K Gold Floral Form Pin Brooch
Located in Norwood, NJ
14 karat yellow gold floral form carved Jade and rock crystal pin brooch with two pearls and 10 rubies. Carved jade leaves and rock crystal flowers with pearls and rubies set in center.
Category

20th Century Austrian Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Gold

Chinese Agate, Jade and Rose Quartz Flower Model in a Cloisonné Enamel Pot
Located in London, GB
Chinese agate, jade and rose quartz flower model in a cloisonné enamel pot Chinese, 20th Century Height 28cm, width 37cm, depth 25cm Crafted in 20th century China, this delicate fl...
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Agate, Jade, Metal, Enamel

Revolver Hand Carved Nephrite Jade Life-Size .357 Magnum
Located in Southbury, CT
A life-sized .357 Magnum revolver carved entirely by hand from one piece of natural nephrite jade. I'm a second-generation jade collector, so it isn't often I come across something t...
Category

2010s American Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

19th Century Antique Chinese Hetian Jade Hand Carved Dragon Bangle Bracelet
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Immerse yourself in the allure of history with this captivating Antique Chinese Hand Carved Jade Bangle Bracelet. Crafted with skill and precision, the jade bangle boasts an enchanti...
Category

Early 18th Century Antique Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Large Chinese Hardstone Model of a Flower Tree in a Cloisonné Enamel Planter
Located in London, GB
Large Chinese hardstone model of a flower tree in a cloisonné enamel planter Chinese, 20th Century Height 48cm, width 39cm, depth 23cm Craf...
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Agate, Jade, Metal, Enamel

Chinese Jadeite Longevity Pendant
Located in Chicago, IL
Valued for its rarity and lustrous appearance, jade (yù) has long been a symbol of excellence, longevity and purity of virtue. Worn as jewelry or as a protective charm, the stone was...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Jade And Rose Quartz 18K Floral Form Brooch
Located in Norwood, NJ
Jade and rose quartz 18K yellow gold floral form brooch pin. Pearls and diamonds with carved rose quartz pedals and jade leaves. The delicate blossom of this brooch is crafted from ...
Category

20th Century Austrian Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Chinese 14-Karat Gold and Jade Buddha Necklace Pendant with Ruby
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Chinese 14-Karat Gold and Jade Buddha Necklace Pendant with Ruby
Category

1950s Asian Vintage Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Chinese Jade Top Matchbox Holder, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
With vintage charm and petite scale, this Chinese matchbox holder features an openwork jade lid carved to depict flowers and foliage in translucent green. The jade panel is removable...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Brass

Pair of Large Chinese Hardstone, Jade and Cloisonné Enamel Flower Models
Located in London, GB
Pair of large Chinese hardstone, jade and cloisonné enamel flower models Chinese, 20th Century Height 39cm, width 25cm, depth 25cm Crafted in 20th century China, this pair of lar...
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Jade, Metal, Enamel

Pair of Chinese Hardstone, Jade and Cloisonné Enamel Flower Tree Models
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese hardstone, jade and cloisonné enamel flower tree models Chinese, 20th Century Height 24cm, width 18cm, depth 10cm This pair of charming Chinese models depicts flower trees and is crafted from a large array of high quality materials. The flower trees are crafted from jade as well as other hardstones. The leaves are rendered from deep green jade, making the multi-coloured flowers beautifully stand out. The stigma on each flower is represented by several round beads. Some flowers also include additional twisted metal spring detailing. From the metal tree trunk extends a number of wire branches covered in thread. The execution of the models is outstanding as it creates a trompe l ‘oil effect tricking the observer into believing the model is real. Both models are displayed in vivid cloisonné enamel planters...
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Jade, Metal, Enamel

Chinese Hardstone and Cloisonné Enamel Flower Tree Model
Located in London, GB
Chinese hardstone and cloisonné enamel flower tree model Chinese, 20th Century Height 54cm, width 42cm, depth 39cm Depicting a basket filled with a lavi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Carnelian, Jade, Enamel

Vintage Nephrite Jade Beaded Necklace
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-Century necklace of large Nephrite Jade 10mm beads and smaller Jadeite 8mm beaded necklace. Jade, revered for centuries, embodies both healing proper...
Category

1950s Vintage Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Chinese Moss-in-Snow Jadeite Ruyi Pendant
Located in Chicago, IL
Valued for its rarity and lustrous appearance, jade (yù) has long been a symbol of excellence, longevity and purity of virtue. Worn as jewelry or as a protective charm, the stone was...
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Pair of Chinese Hardstone and Jade Flower Models
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese hardstone and jade flower models Chinese, 20th Century Height 33cm, width 25cm, depth 17cm This superb pair of hardstone flower models are almost identical in design, comprising hardstone trees set within rectangular jade planters...
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Metal

Old Asian Handcrafted Tibetan Miao Silver Earrings Jewelry with Jade Inlay
Located in 景德镇市, CN
Vintage Tibetan Miao Silver Earrings with Jade Inlay – Handcrafted Ethnic Asian Jewelry Celebrate the beauty of traditional craftsmanship with these O...
Category

20th Century Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Silver

Elegant 18K Rock Crystal Diamond And Emerald Flower Brooch Pendant
Located in Norwood, NJ
Large 18k white gold, diamond and emerald floral form pin brooch with spinach Jade and rock crystal. Diamond and emerald centered above carved rock crystal petals and Jade leaves. 39...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Gold

Chinese Hardstone Flower Model in a Cloisonné Enamel Flowerpot
Located in London, GB
Chinese hardstone flower model in a cloisonné enamel flowerpot Chinese, 20th Century Height 18cm, width 11cm, depth 11cm This intricate flower model combines super cloisonné enamelling with several carved semi-precious stones, making it a highly collectable object. A metal trunk is set within the planter, treated with resin to evoke the natural texture of the bark. The trompe l’oeil illusion is continued via the branches, which are comprised of wire wrapped with brown thread. The branches are capped with a number of nephrite leaves and hardstone blooms, which contrast dark green shades with light red and pink flowers. The petals are carved from carnelian, rose quartz, and jade, and these hardstones can connote symbolic symbolism such as strength and healing. Each bloom is centred by a beaded stigma, the bright colours of which stand out against the hardstones. The cloisonné enamel planter...
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Carnelian, Jade, Quartz, Metal, Enamel

Jadeite Jade Pendant Monkey on Peach
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful jade pendant featuring a monkey perched on a peach. The material is all natural white jadite jade with shades of green. The depiction of the monkey is vivid and adorable....
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Chinese Hardstone Flower Model in a Cloisonné Enamel Pot
Located in London, GB
Chinese hardstone flower model in a cloisonné enamel pot Chinese, 20th Century Height 20cm, width 16cm, depth 9cm Crafted in 20th century C...
Category

20th Century Chinese Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone, Carnelian, Jade

Jewel walking stick depicting a duck’s head, signed Georges Fouquet, France 1900
Located in Milan, IT
Walking stick: jeweled stick, sculpted jadeite knob, depicting a duck's head, ruby eyes, 18K gold band with rubies and ebony wood barrel. Signed. This masterpiece was created by Geor...
Category

Early 20th Century French Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Chinese Moss-in-Snow Jadeite Pendant of Bat & Citrons
Located in Chicago, IL
Valued for its rarity and lustrous appearance, jade (yù) has long been a symbol of excellence, longevity and purity of virtue. Worn as jewelry or as a protective charm, the stone was...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Antique Carved Green Jade Cabbage on Brass Base by Studio Maison Nurita
Located in Toronto, ON
This charming, unusual Antique Chinese Carved Jade Cabbage is part of a pair and sold individually. Jade is a symbol of serenity and purity, signifying wisdom and tranquility. Jade c...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Brass

Old Asian Silver Carving Ring Jewelry with Jade Engraving Maitreya Buddha
Located in 景德镇市, CN
Vintage Asian Silver Ring with Jade Engraving – Maitreya Buddha Carved Spiritual Jewelry Discover timeless elegance and spiritual meaning in this Old Asian Silver...
Category

20th Century Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Silver

Chinese Mustard Jade Archer's Ring, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved of the highest quality jade, this 19th century Archer's ring was likely worn by a gentleman-scholar in Northern China. Traditionally, Chinese archers wore these rings to ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Sterling Silver

Art nouveau gold and jade vinaigrette, by Georges Fouquet France 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
Round Art nouveau Vinaigrette, made of 18K gold. Configured as a pendant with safety lock.The lid of the box is in white jade with in the center several coiled snakes that also invad...
Category

Early 20th Century French Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Antique Carved Green Jade Cabbage on Brass Base by Studio Maison Nurita
Located in Toronto, ON
This charming, unusual Antique Chinese Carved Jade Cabbage is part of a pair and sold individually. Jade is a symbol of serenity and purity, signifying wisdom and tranquility. Jade c...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Brass

Antique Jade-Handled Magnifying Glass with Ornate Silver plated Detailing
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Jade-Handled Magnifying Glass with Ornate Silver plated Detailing. Dimensions: Height:14 cm Width: 6 cm Weight: 65 grams Key Features: Design: The handle is crafted from p...
Category

20th Century Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Silver Plate

Chinese Moss-in-Snow Jadeite Pendant of Peaches
Located in Chicago, IL
Valued for its rarity and lustrous appearance, jade (yù) has long been a symbol of excellence, longevity and purity of virtue. Worn as jewelry or as a protective charm, the stone was...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Chinese Double Gourd Repoussé Snuff Bottle with Jade Buttons, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Metal, Copper

Antique Chinese 14 Karat Yellow Gold & Apple Green Jade Woman's Necklace
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique necklace is signed by an unknown maker and originates from China, dating to approximately 1920 and done in the period Chinese Export style. The necklace is composed of 1...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Antique Chinese Carved Jade Necklace, Ring & Earring Set in 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This necklace, ring and earring set is signed by an unknown maker, and presumed to have originated from China and date to approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese Export style...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Antiques Carved Asian Jade Pendent on A Silver Chain
Located in Toledo, OH
This beautiful antique silver necklace is adorned with an Asian style carved jade pendent. The handmade sterling chain has unusual links and jade beads th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Silver

Burmese Jade Pendant
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
A thick jade pendant carved from Burmese Jade. It features a beautiful range of colors including icy-yellow, apple-green and pale-green jade. Weight: 34.20 ...
Category

1970s Burmese Vintage Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Art Deco Clip Earrings in Silver and Yellow Jade, Angel Wings, France, 1920s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of highly stylized clip-on earrings made from 830/1000 silver and set with yellow jade stones. Anonymous French silversmith circa 1925 in the ...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Silver

Jade 18K Gold Ring
Located in Bronx, NY
This impressive 18K gold & jade ring was designed & custom made by Merrin jewelers of New York in the 1960’s. It features a spectacular sculpted setting with a huge solid domed dark ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Vintage Chinese Jade Carving Kid Riding Elephant Safety Lock Pendent Jewelry
Located in 景德镇市, CN
Vintage Chinese Jade Pendant – Kid Riding Elephant Safety Lock Carving, Symbolic Protection Jewelry Embrace tradition and symbolism with this exquisite Vintage Chinese Jade Pendant, featuring a finely carved design of a child riding an elephant, combined with the auspicious safety lock motif. Expertly hand-carved from genuine jade, this piece embodies wishes for protection, peace, and prosperity. In Chinese culture, the elephant (象, xiàng) symbolizes strength, wisdom, and good fortune, while the child signifies blessings of fertility and happiness. The safety lock design was traditionally used to "lock in" good luck and ward off evil. A rare and meaningful piece of antique Chinese jewelry...
Category

20th Century Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Chinese Jade Pendant
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Nicely carved Jade pendant. Weight: 29.13 grams. Jewelry / Necklace.
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade

Antique 14 Karat Yellow Gold & Hand-Carved Jade Chinoiserie Styled Necklace
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique women's necklace is unsigned and unmarked but dates to approximately 1900 and presumed to originate from China and done in a period Chinoiserie style. The necklace is composed of 14 karat yellow gold with a thick robe chain and features and prong set hand-carved floral jade...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Gold

Midcentury Era White Jade and 14-Karat Yellow Gold Chinoiserie Styled Pendant
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This jade and yellow gold pendant is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Europe, likely England, in circa 1965 in a Chinese inspir...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Multi-gemstone, Gold

Small Jade Bottle Vial with Silver Mountings
Located in Stockholm, SE
A small masterpiece. A carved bottle vial with lid carved of grey/brown jade and with decorations of ropes made of silver.
Category

19th Century European Antique Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Silver

Audrey Werner, Iron, Sterling Silver & Jade Heart Necklace, United States, 2016
Located in New York, NY
Seamlessly mixing influences from around the world, Werner works with oft-overlooked materials--including her signature black iron--to create bold pieces of striking beauty. "I am am...
Category

2010s North American Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Jade, Sterling Silver, Iron

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver, and Smoky Quartz Carved Horse
Located in New York, NY
Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...
Category

20th Century French Jade Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Rock Crystal, Jade, Quartz, Gold, Silver

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