Silver Objets d'Art and Vertu

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...

Solid silver buffalo figurine very good vintage condition. Dimensions: Height 24 mm / 0.944 inches - Length 50 mm / 1.968 inches - Weight 27 grams. It is stamped with the Silver Ita...

CARTIER pocket hand mirror with leather case A very rare and limited piece 925 Sterling Silver with Lapis stone detail Looks like a sea shell - such a special piece! The front has a mirror Ideal gift for any Cartier fan...

This fine 1st half 19th century Silber and fabric hand bag was made in France in the first half of the nineteenth century. on both outer edges of the bulges we see an impressed French makers mark and a French silver mark The bag is worn on a long silver chain. the paisley fabric...

This is a fantastic antique 19th Century Chinese Cricket Cage decorated with Cloisonne Enamel with silver Rabbits on the top! The cage is silver with ...

A very fine cylindrical sterling silver box by Jocelyn Burton. The box's lid is richly encrusted with miniature silver sea shells and bezel set with 2 ...

Gorham Art Nouveau Sterling Buckle, 1902. Marks for Gorham Sterling and B1949 copyrighted with 1902 (year). Beautiful open floral nouveau whiplash des...

Vintage sterling silver dresser/vanity/pin tray in the Victoria pattern by George Shiebler, with monogram. Monogram appears to be JK A reticulated o...

Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated sterling silver and enamel golf bag and club cufflinks with brown enamel. These cufflinks feature a T-Bar fastening...

Original miniature oil paintings on ivorine by esteemed miniaturist Beth de Loiselle (United States) of Fox Hunting themes featuring a Fox Hunt Master and Fox encased in bespoke sterling silver solid back cufflinks by the master jewelry maker Paul Eaton VPRMS MAA (England) are collectable, stunning miniature oils for the fox hunt...

A fine antique, small-scale rectangular dresser box. In 800 silver. By the German silversmiths Storck & Sinsheimer of Hanau, Germany. With a conforming, hinged lid and repoussé de...

A makeup brush (real hair) with sterling silver handle. Brush has never been used. Marked 'Sterling' on handle as shown in last image. A great piece for a curated vanity area.

Solid silver bear in very good vintage condition. Dimensions: Height 64 mm / 2.519 inches - Length 24 mm / 0.944 inches - Weight 62 grams. It is stamped with the Silver Italian Mark...

A fine Art Deco mixed metals vase. From the La Pierre Manufacturing Company's 'Babylonian' line. In sterling silver and copper. Consisting of a copper body with a wide sterling silver neck and rim and a sterling silver ferrule. With a lovely burnt red-orange patina to the copper. Founded in 1885 in New York City by Frank H. LaPierre, the LaPierre Manufacturing Company were makers of high quality sterling silver wares...

Sterling silver gold wash interior Esrog Holder/Etrog Box with engraving. Engraving of Hebrew inscription, "Yonah Meir" A large and beautifully ornate hinged box to hold and protec...

Apparently unmarked but Russia, circa 1820 Elongated compressed oval, decorated with floral garlands within similar borders on gilt stippled ground, the screw top with ball finial ...

A finely detailed sterling silver repousse plaque with knight, castle, coat of arms swan by Henryk Winograd. Henryk Winograd was one of the world's greatest 20th Century masters of ...

A fine antique silver-topped cut glass hunting flask. With a narrow tapering cut glass body with a diamond pattern terminating in a screw-top integral s...

As a hallmark of elegance and timeless design, Cartier stands at the forefront of luxury craftsmanship, with a legacy that extends beyond jewellery to iconic lighter designs. The dis...

Antique sterling silver ink well by A&J Zimmerman of Birmingham, England, circa 1908. No monogram or engraving A beautiful ink well with a hinged lid atop the ink well that contain...

Original miniature oil painting on ivorine by esteemed miniaturist Beth de Loiselle (United States) of a Harlequin Great Dane dog encased in a bes...

THIS IS AN ANTIQUE ART DECO SILVER FILIGREE CHINESE EXPORT CORAL AND TURQUOISE PERFUME BOTTLE, SNUFF BOTTLE. THE SILVER FILIGREE IS OF THE HIGHEST Q...

A rare find with only one of five known to exist. This is a rose-colored mineral catch-all paperweight created by Cartier in the 1960s. The base of the paperweight is made of a sterl...

Highly unusual paperclip in the form of a silver bejewelled Ladies hand with an elaborate lace cuff and a bracelet. The hand is mounted on a fabric covered base.

Tiffany & Co. Sterling Golf Ball Tee Ballpoint Pen. The simple & sleek design is functional and stylish. This piece has a twist retractable closure and a...

Sterling Silver Greek Round Pill Box "LC" - This vintage round Greek pill box with monogram "LC" on top in a polished sterling silver. Size: 39.31 mm x 39.18 mm Stamped: 925 Weig...

Tiffany & Co Estate Money Clip Silver By Elsa Peritte TIF491 TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 PLEASE SEE OUR HUNDREDS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACKS FROM OUR CLIENTS!! FREE SHIPPING This elegant...

This highly elegant Art Deco handbag combines the craftsmanship of a master jeweller with accurate needlework. The bag can be worn over the shoulder o as a clutch. The silver frame i...

A fine antique German solid silver table box or casket. By B. Nieresheimer & Söhne. With Neoclassical swags & garlands to the sides, and a repousse Romantic style scene with cherub...

Buccellati centerpiece oval shape measures approx. 21 1/2" in length, 18" in width, 5 1/2" in height. Basket top diameter is 13" x 10" and tapers down to a bottom diameter of 11" x...

Vintage sterling silver coin purse by La Pierre Manufacturing Co. Etched floral and flourish engraved design with monogram on one side. Rou...

A fine figural paperclip paperweight. In sterling silver. By the Thomae Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts. In the form of an oversized paper clip that doubles as both a paperwei...

The “Dragon” bracelet is part of our jewelry collection. All our sterling silver pieces of jewelry are handmade: it means that none is like the other. ...

Absolutely stunning details on this antique renaissance revival 800 silver purse frame which is handmade most likely in Norway featuring dragons, snakes, bird sitting in an foliage . Purse is in Henrik...

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY RARE STERLING SILVER LADIES HANDBAG OF EXTRAORDINARY BEAUTY WITH THE FACES OF FIVE WOMEN MAIDENS WITH EXTRAORDINARY FLOWING HAIR THAT ENCIRCLES AND ENTWINES THE FIVE MAIDENS BY THE ESTEEMED MAKER UNGER BROTHERS. THE MESH SILVER HANDBAG HAS THE REPOUSSE SILVER DESIGN OF THE WOMEN'S FACES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BAG. This is truly one of the finest Sterling Silver purses we have seen. The purse is hallmarked Sterling with a maker's mark. The beautiful mesh...

Italian Silver 3.75” by 2.75” by 3/16 “ Deep Sodalite 800 Silver Plique a Jour Enamel Box 152.9 Gram Sodalite In good condition, no damage, no evidence of repairs Marked 800 an...

This exquisite Japanese Meiji iron, gold & silver vesta case was made circa 1905 by Komai Otojiro. (駒井音次郎), the third son of Komai Seibei (駒井清兵衛), a sword fittings maker who establis...

Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated Smile Sterling Silver key holder. Dimensions: Diameter: 1.39 in/3.53 mm Alex Jona gifts stand out, not only for th...

An Elegant Mario Buccellati Sterling Silver Duck Perched on an Amethyst Base, Milan, 20th Century This exquisite creation epitomizes the craftsmanship and luxury for which Mario Buc...

French neo classic desk seal. Wonderful desk seal, created in France during the late 18th century, back in the 1798-1808. This magnificent piece of art was conceived as a miniature sculpture mounted in a Louis XVI neoclassical style base. This base is crafted in 18 karats gold over silver with chiseled and incised decorations, supporting a magnificent extremely detailed carving of a women. The carved piece, depicts, the naked portrait bust of the classical Greek-Roman goddess of the flowers and nature Flora (Heba), facing forward and exhibiting her breasts, undressed and crowned with flowers, wheat and ivy. Flora or Heba She was the deity of the flowering plants, fertility, spring, and blossoming. Although she was a minor figure compared to other goddesses of the Roman empire, she was important as a fertility goddess. Flora was responsible for the abundance of the crops in spring, so her worship strengthened as this season approached. Her name derives from the Latin floris, which means flower, and her Greek counterpart was the nymph, Chloris. The Sabine King Titus Tatius introduced Flora into the Roman pantheon...

Charming and Rare Austrian Art Nouveau Silver and Enamel Owl Seal by Georg Adam Scheid. A rare and enchanting work of Viennese decorative art, this early 20th-century Austrian silve...

An Adorable Family of Six Italian Buccellati Sterling Silver Furry Chicks Resting on a Petrified Wood Base, Milan 20th Century This enchanting creation by the renowned Italian silve...

Elephant handicraft in silver

A captivating example of Edwardian craftsmanship, this circular belt buckle is rendered in sterling silver and adorned with deep royal blue enamel, accented by elegant silver scrollw...

84 Silver Russia Enamel Pencil Case Pendant. Another sign unclear perhaps r.ii or r.u.

This Art Nouveau desktop seal is engraved with the ligated initials A and B. Around the handle is a typical Art Nouveau entwined flower and leaf motive. The...

Never Give Up Unique design men's cufflinks with citrine tourmaline and colored enamels on rhodium-plated sterling silver. Funny handmade cufflinks depicting a pelican eating a frog ...

This stunning sterling silver and enamel buckle from the 1890 Victorian era is gorgeous. The enamel is in absolute incredible condition, especially for...

From Great Britain Paul Eaton VPRMS MAA sculpted a Greyhound dog head pendant (3/4"w x 1/2"h x 3/8"d). An elegant sterling-silver bespoke miniature Grey...

Celebrate with Alex Jona champagne bottle & cork cufflinks! These sophisticated green champagne bottle cufflinks are perfect for special occasions. They have been designed by Alex Jo...

Mellerio Paris, A Large Silver, Gold, Lapis Lazuli, Coral, and Hardstone Picture Photo Frame with Two Falcons. France, circa 2000 The frame resting on a lapis lazuli base with ...

Monumental guilloche enameled round box. An extraordinary early 20th century guilloche enamel box, created in Pforzheim Germany, with Edwardian neo classical patterns, circa 1910. T...

Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Pendant Designed for GPS Tracking System. This innovative pendant, crafted in 925 sterling silver with rich gold plating, is designed with both beauty an...

Mario Buccellati Life Size Silver Yorkshirre Terrier Dog. A life-size silver dog crafted with a technique know as ‘lavorazione a pelo’ or ‘hair-like workmanship. This technique invo...

Orvis sterling buckle set on chocolate basket weave leather belt. Buckle features elborate scrolled silver work with rope border that is mirrored o...

A hammer finished Sterling Silver Cigarette Case measuring 4 inch by 3.25 Inch engraved "Alvin Robinson" Hallmarked weighting 80.2 gram plus a Mayan Sterling Silver Belt Buckle 1 3/4...

This little elegant travelling inkwell is made out of plated silver. The lid and the bottom of the box are set with slices of agate dyed blue.

From Great Britain Paul Eaton VPRMS MAA sculpted a Spaniel dog head (sml 1/2" x 1") pendant. An elegant sterling-silver bespoke miniature Spaniel, dog ...

French lacquered case with the crest of the Zorrilla Family. Magnificent cigarette case holder, created in Paris France, back in the 1929. Crafted at the atelier of the goldsmith Paul Delahais in solid .950/.999 sterling silver with gilded interiors and polished finish. It is embellished with applications of black lacquer and decorated with the crest of the Zorrillas family, made up in solid yellow gold of 18 karats. This piece probably associated to the Uruguayan poet Juan Zorrilla De San Martin (1855-1931) or his entourage. This piece show no trace of use or wear. Crest: The coat of arms of the Zorrilla family with a chevalier helmet to the left, garlands with inscribed motto and the Spanish royal crown beneath. Most probably a personal gift by the Spanish King Alfonso XIII...

Buccellati centerpiece measures approx. 28" in length, 18" in width, 13" in height. Includes purity mark "800", Italian lozenge and makers marks: Signed "M Buccellati"; circa 1960's.