Classical Greek More Objets d'Art and Vertu

The "Ostrich Feather Tickler Attachment" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1996 and continues to seduce BV collectors today. Fabricated using multiple l...

This highly unusual and very rare pair of cufflinks is executed in the archaeological style by the jewellers G.Roccheggiani of Via Condotti 19, Ro...

Navajo needlepoint concho belt. Signed LMB, marked sterling. 11 conchos total. Exceptional design on each concho, featuring floral style center with complementary scalloped silverwork and final layer of turquoise framing concho. Old Pawn. Acquired from a Navajo trader. PERIOD: After 1950 ORIGIN: Navajo, Southwest SIZE: Total Belt Length 62 1/2" Leather; conchos 2 1/4"D The word “concho” sometimes spelled “concha”, comes from the Spanish word meaning shell. Some of the first “conchos” were made of melted silver dollars and resembled a shell. Concho belts reportedly began appearing in Navajo country in the late 1860s. Other Native Americans including Zuni and Hopi also made traditional concho belts before long. Concho belts can cost into the thousands of dollars depending upon the craftsmanship, amount of silver, rarity of turquoise and stones used. Belts in the upper end of the price scales are usually made before the turn of the century. Buyers should deal with reputable dealers as many fakes and look-a-likes exist. A well-made belt with age to it will fetch a bigger premium and hold its value better. The earliest concho belts are now referred to as “First Phase” belts. This style of belt was made before Native silversmith had learned much about soldering. The conchos were hammered out from melted coins, cut, and filed into shape, engraved and a diamond shape slot was cut out of the middle of the concho, with a bar left across the center of the diamond shaped slot for the leather loop. Conchos that required no soldering are generally thought to be made from 1860-1880. Second phase conchos were done 1890-1900s in which silversmith began to solder. Third phase conchos is when you start to see the “butterfly” or “bow” appear between conchos and the use of turquoise as an adornment. A butterfly (bow) is a smaller concho in between bigger conchos. A belt with butterflies and sometimes turquoise would be from the early 1900s – 1930s. The timelines may slightly differentiate depending upon who you ask. Natives first had concho belts for personal use only, but around the turn of the last century, tourist demand had kicked in and a new outlet emerged. belts & buckles jewelry silver belts conchos navajo needlepoint southwest turquoise...

Alex Jona, hand crafted in Italy, sterling silver money clip. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design, but also for the careful attention given to details duri...

Alex Jona hand crafted in Italy, sterling silver money clip. Alex Jona gifts stand out, not only for their special design and for the excel...

Alex Jona hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated Sterling Silver money clip. Alex Jona gifts stand out, not only for their special design and for the excellent quality, but also for ...

Boucheron Paris 1940s Art Deco sterling, gold & ruby jeweled compact - necklace The exquisite Boucheron compact is designed with a beautiful gold pie...

Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, sterling silver money clip. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and for the excellent quality of the ge...

A minimalistic paperclip style money clip made of solid British sterling silver. The clip measures 6.4 x 2 centimetres and there is a gross weight of 13.2 grams.

The "Leather Whip Necklace" was designed in 1997 by Betony Vernon. The "body" of the whip is made of handwoven leather. The empowering unisex necklace is part of Vernon's personal ar...

Rare, large Ostrogothic silver eagle-headed buckle, circa 6th Century A.D. A bold projecting eagle head profile set with a cabochon ruby color glass eye, the neck chased with linear ...

An archaeological-revival coral and gold Spartan diadem, in the form of a gold band with seven concave discs each set with a cabochon coral, alternating with eight floral motifs each set with a small cabochon coral, all with gold wirework decorations of Etruscan style, made in Naples circa 1840, bearing gold hallmarks N3 with the profile of Parthenope, gross weight 94 grams. A gorgeous and sumptuous Spartan diadem, made in the mid-nineteenth century in Italy. Beginning in the early nineteenth century, jewellery inspired by the Ancient World became very popular. This diadem is made from bright yellow gold in which is set seven glowing orange cabochon-cut coral stones within carved gold discs. Further gold wirework and smaller coral stones add to the beauty of this piece, which is simple and bold. By family repute, this diadem, purchased in England during the early part of the 20th century, was once owned by Empress Eugénie of France. Winterhalter's portrait of the Empress in 1864 depicts her wearing a gold diadem similar in design to this one. Eugénie loved jewels and as well as enjoying the sumptuous French crown jewels...