Antique Essex Crystal English Terrier Stickpin

We love our wonderfully esoteric Grotesque man (or "other") crafted by a talented unknown carver in the 19th century from a chunk of the most desirable orange-red toned coral. Connoisseurs of literature or theater or the arts understand the term Grotesque as referring to fantastical, exaggerated or distorted representations, usually of the human face or figure. (The word "grotesque" originates from the Italian "grottesca", meaning of a cave" (grotto = cave in Italian) and refers to doubled, metamorphosed, or altered forms). Originally Italian, the concept of the Grotesque was used in French and German literature as well, and is a an integral part of English literature and theatre (The Theatre of the Grotesque preceded the Theatre of the Absurd) today. We find our Grotesque stickpin guy (gal) to be not grotesque at all but endearing, with his (or her) exaggerated features and droopy skin folds. And as a reference to classic theatre, this coral stickpin...

Essex crystal carving of a horse and jockey surrounded by rose diamonds. Perhaps they are symbolic of the winners wreath. The crystals are carved in reverse or intaglio into the flat...

18K gold and blue and white enameling enhance this stickpin of a handsome jockey ready for the race. The pin is in 15K for strength.

Colorful Victorian rock crystal bug brooch in delightful colors of red and purple set in silver. Fun to wear alone on a lapel or with companions on one's sh...

Late XIX century bronze figure of a resting Cossack holding a rifle and smoking a small pipe mounted on cut natural rock crystal base to simulate ice. Model by Vasily Grachev (1831-...

An antique nineteenth century 14 karat gold equestrian theme money clip, centering an Essex Crystal depicting a horse.

An antique Chinese inside painted rutile hair crystal snuff bottle, signed "YE ZHONGSAN" (1875-1945), dated "FU RI" (summer day), "BING CHEN" (year matc...

Antique Chinese rock crystal snuff bottle, finely carved in low relief with a lotus scene to one side and a scroll in flowing ribbons to the other, with tiger's eye stopper and bone spoon...