Silver Collectibles and Curiosities

c. 1875 Gilt Interior Dimensions: 2 7/8 x 2 1/8 x 1.5 in.

Vintage Navajo Southwestern sterling silver Turquoise cross pendant Stamped sterling Measures: 3.5 tall x 2 width x .19 thick Preown...

1970s Jens Andersen and Erik Dunning for AD Design silver plated modern bangle cuff bracelet AD Design Made in Denmark 2.25 tall x 2.75 w x 1 d Preowned...

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...

Rare Taxco Mexican Modern early Silver Artisan jewelry by famed William Spratling Sterling silver slender cuff bracelet Jeweled Amethyst and brass Ma...

Stunning 1900s collectible Ottoman style Turkish silver brooch or veil pin with Arabic writing repousse. Middle Eastern collectible sterling silver jewelry brooch pin in circular Ar...

A very special silverring with a big and clear crystal brilliant cut stone in the middle and solid silvercrown embracing the stone. Made by Ge Kå Smycken Kaplan. Stockholm, Sweden 19...

Necklace Modernist Talleres Los Ballesteros choker collar necklace in green stone and sterling silver 1960s Mexico Taxco Inspired by William Spratling and Mayan design Measures: 1...

Margaret Thatcher and state of Qatar, Garrard & Co. Silver gilt presentation set, London, 1983. MARK OF GARRARD LTD, LONDON, 1983 A Three piece Elizabeth II, silver and silver ...

Along with Georg Jensen and Anton Michelsen Bernhard Hertz is probably one of the most internationally known Danish gold- and silversmiths. This because he designed af number of Tiff...

A circular and practical silver necklace in which can also be used as a brooch if you wish. This jewelry is made by Smycka Kumla (company established 1926, Sweden) in 1979. Nice pati...

Italian midcentury walking stick cane high gloss black lacquer silver handle polished brass tip decorative embossed silver grip. 35.25 tall x .75 diameter top 1.75 diameter inches...

Latin American Taxco Jewelry by modernist Antonio Pineda sterling silver Mexican circles link bracelet 1960s Maker stamp is present. Measures: 6.5 lo...

This is a beautiful antique gentleman's silver pommel and bambo shaft walking stick, circa 1880 in date. This decorative walking cane features an exquisite silver pommel decorate...

For your consideration: Mid century Mexican modernist Taxco sterling silver fashion ring. Stamped on the inside. Wide Band signet design. Dimensions: ...

Mid-Century Modern silver bracelet attributed to Antonio Belgiorno. Made in Argentina. 1950s Fabulous modernist design in geometrical link form. Silver purity 900 Dimensions: 7.75...

An Art Deco sterling silver and carved jade matchbook cover by Edward Farmer NYC . The carved oval jadeite held with 14 k gold pins on a sterling base. Signed, rare, one of a kind.

Made in Sheffield circa 2000, this handsome and stylish, soapstone and sterling silver ashtray, features five Labradorite stones set around the top. The ashtray measures: 7" (29cm) i...

Hell-III Ring, in sterling silver with 18-karat gold insert. From the "Cantos" series. Designed and made by Anne Fischer, 2011. (Size 6.5, also available for custom order).    

Club ring one in sterling silver. Designed and made by Anne Fischer, 1998. (Size 6.5, available for custom order).  

Untitled ring in sterling silver, 18-karat gold, rubies, and sapphires. Includes the following text carved on the verso of the ring band: "Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night - Jack Kerouac." Designed and made by Anne Fischer...

Murex Braccia partially silvered shell 4". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered shells. Our workshop h...

Magnifying glass partially silvered distaff spindle 8". Creel and Gow has been working with the same atelier in Rome, Italy for over 20 years to make our signature silvered shells. O...

Collection of Masonic keepsakes consisting of two silver round lidded containers both showing different symbols of Freemasonry. Lidded containers may have been used to hold a ring, c...

Vintage Danish gilded silver daisy ear clips and pendant with white Enamel. Manufactured by Bernhard Hertz in Denmark during the 1970s-1990s. The chain is Danish and made from 585 Ha...

An unusual piece of Bertoia's jewelry with a figurative quality. This brooch was included in an exhibit, "In Nature's Embrace: The World of Harry Bertoia" at the Reading Public Museu...

This early wire wrapped pendant was likely made by Harry Bertoia while he was at Cranbrook.

Silver jewelry with round brilliant cut rock crystal. Salovaara, Åbo 1973. Neckline of sterling silver. Norway. Kultaseppä Salovaara was founded ...

Bertoia stopped producing jewelry in the late 1940s except for rare occasions when he would barter a piece in exchange for materials from his metal supplier. This piece has remained ...