Berkshires
1
to
203
989,033
694,956
1,540
609
600
417
298
289
160
128
113
87
85
85
83
71
67
51
49
47
45
43
37
35
35
32
21
15
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
35
34
29
20
15
Maud Frizon Multi Suede Wedge Slingbacks
By Maud Frizon
Located in Alford, MA
Maud Frizon shoes epitomized 1980s style, and these shoes are indicative of her creative design. Crafted basically of black suede, the shoes feature a wedge heel and an open toe with...
Category
1980s French Berkshires
Pair of Antique Painted Chinese Side Tables or Small Blanket Chests
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of rustic black painted Chinese lidded blanket chests, great as side table, end table or night stand. The top lifts open fully allowing full use of interior storage. A protrudin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Country Berkshires
Materials
Elm
1950sRobertGoosensStyle CastOakLeafTalisman BaroqueFauxPearls GoldChain Sautoir
Located in Chicago, IL
While contracted as an independent craftsman to create one-of-a-kind costume jewelry for French Masion Degorce from 1953 until it closed in 1957, Parisian goldsmith Robert Goosens (1927-2016) was initially commissioned by Gabriel "Coco" Chanel to craft one-of-a-kind Byzantine-style long decorative-chain necklaces with multiple charms made of metal and filigree-or-sculptural-prong-capped glass faux pearls, while she intended to layer many of them to accessorize her couture clothing for clients and herself.
Relevant to the unclear designer of our vintage 9-pendant ribbed-chain sautoir with an unsigned gold-gilt silver barrel clasp and five unique kinds of intricately textured vermeil and baroque-faux-pearl charms, a similar lost-wax-cast center pendant with three-lobed-foliate prongs also in the shape of oak leaves can be seen in the book (p.28), Bijoux de Haute Couture: Collection Robert Goossens, by Gilles Plazy and Chantal Bizot published in Paris in 2000. The same year, that Chanel-signed pendant necklace was auctioned by Christie's in a lot including an unsigned long chain sautoir also attributed to Chanel. Further, another 1stDibs dealer currently has a $12,500 listing for an unsigned but book-published early-1950s faux-pearl sautoir for Chanel that also features intricate pinecone talismans like ours, but decorated with poured glass and crystals crafted by Maison Gripoix.
When Chanel relaunched her post-war business ventures, Goosens soon became her favorite parurier before founding his eponymous Maison Goosens, whose venerable workshop later designed metal work for its own jewelry-and-furnishings brand Goosens Paris.
Notably, Chanel did not add a brand signature to costume jewelry until the late 1950s, while some pieces prior to this by multiple paruriers are documented to lack any identification that Chanel was earlier known to stamp such as "France", "Made In France" and/or "Depose". Recently, a similar unsigned/unmarked longer chain sautoir with fewer filigree-and-pearl pendants that was believed to be by Robert Goosens for Chanel...
Category
1950s French Byzantine Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal, Silver, Vermeil
Large Gustavian Style Gilt Metal Accent Waste Basket
Located in Sheffield, MA
Large 10" D rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom, bathroom or office. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. S...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Berkshires
Materials
Metal
Antique Folding Lounging Deck Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Hard to find, stylish and practical, the metal framed antique boat, ship or sailing yacht deck chair is great for relaxing and enjoying a leisurely cruise. The chair is fitted with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Berkshires
Materials
Metal
Carolee Pearl/Rhinestone Chandelier Earrings
Located in Alford, MA
Dramatic, long Carolee clip-on chandelier earrings, the domed earpieces with pave rhinestones suspending by links a gold metal lobed crown capping twelve strands of small pearls, the strands of varying lengths. Each strand terminates with a rhinestone rondel and black jet faceted bead. the 4 1/2" length skims the shoulder and provides a glamorous evening look. Carolee jewelry...
Category
Late 20th Century American Berkshires
Materials
Pearl
CommeDesGarcons 1997 AdultPunk Transparent EcruOrganza WhiteSilk Dinner Jacket
By Rei Kawakubo Comme Des Garcons, Comme des Garçons
Located in Chicago, IL
1997 arguably marked the pinnacle of Japanese Comme des Garcons founder and fashion designer Rei Kawakubo's collection debuts when she introduced deconstructed asymmetrical "lumps and bumps" padding and transparent tops that both deformed and revealed female bodies. For her Fall/Winter 1997 "Adult Punk" collection, she debuted this transparent ecru organza pullover dinner jacket or evening oversized blouse, whose bodice and lower long sleeves are color-blocked with white textured silk-blend appliques and lined in white tulle that is hand-sheered above the outer hem. A recent Parisian exhibition at Musee de la Mode, "1997 Fashion...
Category
1990s Japanese Berkshires
1921 Early ArtDeco SterlingSilver BlackOnyx Marcasite Signed Rectangular Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
On this antique early Art Deco-period solitaire cocktail ring, a long rectangular mirror-cut black onyx is surrounded by 28 faceted marcasite stones. The American silver ring, whose ...
Category
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Marcasite, Onyx, Sterling Silver
Mimi Di N 1981 GoldGiltMetal Set Pinecone Sprays ConvertiblePendants BeltBuckles
By Mimi di N
Located in Chicago, IL
This curvilinear textural gold-gilt metal two-piece belt buckle or convertible pendant depicting pine cone and needle sprays was designed by Mimi di N in 1981, as noted in the signed...
Category
1980s American Artisan Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Agent Provocateur 1990s BlackLaceSet LingerieLike BikiniHalterTop & Short Shorts
By Agent Provocateur
Located in Chicago, IL
Vivienne Westwood's son Joe Corre opened the first lingerie boutique for his sexy London-based brand Agent Provocateur in Soho in the mid-1990s, when the sole owner of this black lac...
Category
1990s British Berkshires
Classical Wood and Gilt Mirror
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage horizontal or vertical mirror has a beautifully grained polished light wood outer frame and a inner gilt liner. Its simplicity lends itself to almost any room with either...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Restauration Berkshires
Materials
Wood
1991 RunwayLook1 KatharineHamnett IridescentGreen FeltedCollar Fitted Skirt Suit
By Katharine Hamnett
Located in Chicago, IL
For the Spring/Summer 1991 made-in-Italy collection of her eponymous London-based brand, Katharine Hamnett debuted this fitted elongated jacket skirt-suit as "Look 1" in her fashion show (see our photo of the video coverage). Her working-woman styled model was unexpectedly accompanied by a male model adorned in a cowboy hat, which suggests her power over a strong man. In a different color without metallic accents, this sleek three-button single-breasted lined jacket is paired with a matching seafoam-green tucked skirt with back slit. Immediately apparent based on the seven piped princess seams around the torso, the jacket is expertly tailored like Savile-Row menswear. It also has a speckled-grey felted collar, piped front pockets, and triple-buttonhole split sleeves. The skirt closes in back with a center zip with hook-and-eye fastening.
The durable cotton-blend fabric, which is in excellent condition, is notable for its slight iridescence with a soft luster that links it to the reflective elements that dominated that colorful collection by Hamnett. We included photos of the suit lit by sunlight with yellow tones and in lighting with...
Category
1990s British Berkshires
Early 1800s Antique Drop Leaf Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Step back in time and bring a piece of history into your home with this exquisite gate leg drop leaf table from the early 1800s. A meticulously built piece showcasing the beauty of A...
Category
Early 19th Century American Empire Antique Berkshires
Materials
Wood
Set of 11 Signed Orrefors Hand Painted Enamel Goblets W/ Whimsical Decoration
By Orrefors
Located in Great Barrington, MA
A wonderful set of 11 large goblets, made by Orrefors with panel cut and polished columnar stems. Each signed glass is individually hand painted with whimsical and playful "drawings"...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Blown Glass
StellaMcCartney 2003 Runway RedPatent&Translucent 4InchStiletto OmbreResin Heels
By Stella McCartney
Located in Chicago, IL
Among the early standout sexy shoes designed by Stella McCarney for her eponymous British brand, these four-inch stilettos with maroon-ombre-resin silver-st...
Category
Early 2000s British Berkshires
Georgian Mahogany Bachelors Chest England Circa 1790
Located in Hudson, NY
Very handsome, 18th century bachelors chest with pull out writing surface.
Made with dense hard mahogany and oak. It may be small but it is heavy and substantial. We'll make peace wi...
Category
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Berkshires
Materials
Leather, Oak, Mahogany
MartinMargiela Early1990s UniqueUpcycled Garters&Crotch Velvet CroppedHalter Bra
By Maison Martin Margiela
Located in Chicago, IL
Captured in a video still from his Fall/Winter 1992 collection fashion show in Paris, Martin Margiela uniquely upcycled the seam intersections from the crotch, dart or tuck on decon...
Category
1990s French Berkshires
Painted Swedish Blue/Grey & Gold Accent Louis XVI Style Vanity Mirror
Located in Sheffield, MA
A large vintage painted Swedish Gustavian style vanity mirror. Perfect for the master bathroom or in an entry hallway or fireplace mantel where an important mirror is needed. Hang it vertically or horizontally. Will cover the area of a two sink bathroom.
Painted a dark blue/grey with gold accent.
Generously sized rectangular mirror. The mirror itself does show aged distress in areas.
Serach terms: Louis XVI style, neoclassical style, Hollywood Regency
Mantel Mirrors / Fireplace Mirrors / Pier Mirrors...
Category
Early 20th Century Gustavian Berkshires
Materials
Wood
AncientGreekStyle Sculptural OpenWork BezelSetLapisCabochon Handmade Gold Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Found in Greece, this ancient style gold-smithed sculptural open-work ring features at its raised end a bezel-set lapis cabochon, while the other end of the by-pass band below is sha...
Category
20th Century Greek Classical Greek Berkshires
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold, Gold, Gilt Metal, Bronze
French 18th Century Carved Walnut Bench from Provence
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare, Louis XV carved walnut bench with original finish and original leather upholstery. Such a wonderful state of preservation, yet strong and ready to be used.
Please contact me wi...
Category
1740s French Louis XV Antique Berkshires
Materials
Walnut, Leather, Oak
Pair of Italian Neo-Classical Style Marble Urns
Located in Sheffield, MA
A most attractive pair of Italian Neo-Classical style white Carrara marble urns. Elegant fluted bodies giving it both a clean modern and yet classical look. Marble shows aged patina...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Berkshires
Materials
Marble
MiriamHaskell 1926-1939 Hess CrystalGlassGalalithBeads GoldGilt WireCoilBracelet
By Frank Hess for Miriam Haskell
Located in Chicago, IL
This Miriam Haskell (1899-1981) brass-wire wrap coil bracelet that features handcrafted peacock-colored beads and decorative gold-gilt brass was created by her first designer Frank H...
Category
Early 20th Century American Baroque Revival Berkshires
Materials
Crystal, Brass, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Ivory Lace 1930s Wedding Ensemble
Located in Alford, MA
A rare find, this wedding dress and jacket from the 1930s is made of ivory lace and is in excellent condition. The bias-cut dress has a V-neck and empire bo...
Category
1930s American Berkshires
Allertons English Blue Willow, Set of 8
By Allertons
Located in Sheffield, MA
A wonderful collection of Allertons Ltd. English glazed blue willow 19th century stone China plates.. These plates are stamped by the maker (shown in the photos). There are, actually, 9 plates. 8 are in excellent condition, the 9th has a very minor chip but is included without additional charge.
Search terms: blue and white porcelain plates, ceramic plates, dish ware.
Category
1880s English Chinoiserie Antique Berkshires
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Four Steelcase Coalesse Wrapp Side Chairs
By Marc Krusin
Located in Sheffield, MA
Designed by Spain's Marc Krusin for Coalesse. The MCM Wrapp chairs are stackable, clean and elegant with a snug winged back and generous contoured seat inclined slightly for comfort and support. Great for office or dining. Polished Trivalent chrome legs. Each with manufacturers labels underneath. Design origin, Spain, 2007 by Marc Krusin. MCM Chairs...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Berkshires
Materials
Metal
Small Rococo-Style Picture Frame
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique rococo-style picture frame has shell-like motives. Will hold a 12" x 9.15" painting.
Baroque style picture frame.
Category
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Berkshires
Materials
Wood
Judy Hornby Multicolor Silk Dress with Handkerchief Hem
By Judy Hornby
Located in Alford, MA
Judy Hornby multicolor silk print dress featuring a bias cut, double-tiered handkerchief hem, a deep V-neckline, and puffed sleeves. The British-born designer made her way to the Uni...
Category
Late 20th Century American Berkshires
Six Painted Chippendale-Style Dining Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
The six elegantly carved chairs are composed of five side and one arm, all newly painted in cream. The frames are secured by angled blocks at all corners. The padded pop-out seats ar...
Category
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Berkshires
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Yamamoto 1990s BiasCut NotchedLapelJacket & MaxiSkirt RibbonTrimmed NavyWoolSuit
By Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Chicago, IL
In his classic long flared silhouette, Japanese Yohji Yamamoto skillfully designed with bias-cut draping both this navy ribbon-trimmed notched-lapel single-breasted lined jacket and ...
Category
1990s Japanese Berkshires
Art Nouveau Azurmalachite MilapillasMine Cabochon MexicanSilver Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
First appearing like an intense green-blue black opal without the flash, this antique natural azurmalachite oval-cut 10mm cabochon in a bezel setting features curvaceous vivid-green ...
Category
Early 1900s Mexican Art Nouveau Antique Berkshires
Materials
Malachite, Sterling Silver
Couture 1939-50 Schiaparelli-SchlumbergerStyle GlassBeads ProngSetCrystal Brooch
By Artisan NYC
Located in Chicago, IL
In the style of Elsa Schiaparelli couture jewelry and one of her paruriers since the late 1930s, Jean Schlumberger, this handcrafted highly-textural glass-and-crystal rhodium-plated ...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Crystal, Pearl, Silver, Rhodium
Vintage Brass Andirons Arts and Crafts Circa 1900
Located in Hudson, NY
A fantastic pair of fireplace and irons in the forms of winged dragons. Heavy and substantial these pieces with a fire burning behind them are most impressive. They would make any fi...
Category
Early 1900s Arts and Crafts Antique Berkshires
Materials
Brass, Iron
Hollywood Regency Style Square Tissue Box
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add a touch of glamour to your countertop, nightstand or bath or powder room with a gold gilt edge, Swedish grey finish square tissue box cover for added protection for your facial ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Berkshires
Materials
Metal
Black Tahitian Pearl Dutch DroogDesign 1998 Unique ThirdNipple GoldDisk Brooch
By Artistian Made
Located in Chicago, IL
In the 1990s when the Dutch collective Droog introduced international leaders of late 20th-Century functional art such as Ron Arad, Marcel Wanders, Jurgen Bey, Hella Jongerius, and Tejo Remy, the Netherlands-based brand was one of the most successful producers of conceptual design. The collaboration was co-founded in 1993 in Amsterdam by the jewelry and product designer Gijs Bakker (b. 1942), who commissioned his protege French artist Frederic Braham in 1998 to create this one-of-a-kind brooch for his young Droog-represented jewelry line "Chi ha paura...?". The Italian phrase means "who is afraid of?".
This natural satin-lustre South Sea black-Tahitian 15 x 10 mm baroque thick-nacred pearl, which is bezel-set in oxidized sterling on a sharp silver stud for push-back fastening as a lapel or tie pin, is surrounded by a removable textured gold disk brooch with the Chiapaura maker's mark, artist's signature, abbreviated year and assay symbol. Notably, while farmed pearls from this French-Polynesian region are scarce, it is rarer to find one over 12mm. This dark gray one is also exceptional for its desirable secondary tone of peacock green with minimal surface imperfections.
From normal use, the unseen back of the disk is missing chips of ecru enamel where it contacts the fastening knob. This reveals that the disk is solid gold.
Like other functional conceptual design represented by Droog, the brooch is more than a beautiful piece of fine jewelry featuring multiple contrasting elements, as it could be a provocative "third nipple" if worn on a tie or scarf. Given the Dutch origin of the brand, we recall the famous 15th-Century oil-painting by Johannes Vermeer, known as "Girl with a Pearl Earring". Who is afraid of girl or boy with a third nipple?
We acquired this brooch from a jewelry collector who had purchased it from the Italian gallery...
Category
1990s Dutch Artist Berkshires
Materials
Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, Silver, Mixed Metal, Sterling Silver
Rustic Vintage Farm or Work Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Industrial Country Style work table, kitchen, or dining table made from reclaimed wood. Use it in a modern or traditional setting, this table will a...
Category
20th Century American Rustic Berkshires
Materials
Wood
Couture DiorDesigner WesternGermany MaxMuller TealCrystal GoldGilt Textural Ring
By Max Müller Kaufbeuren
Located in Chicago, IL
With a cross-over ring interior and textured exterior like raw silk that matches Christian Dior rings marked "Chr. Dior Germany" from the late-1950s and 1960s, this bold modernist ye...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Modernist Berkshires
Materials
Crystal, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
A Collection of 7 Antique Iron Gate or Fence Panels, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
A collection or a group of 7 antique metal wrought iron gate panels. Depending on your needs, you can buy a single panel or all 7. These gates offer...
Category
19th Century Antique Berkshires
Materials
Iron
Classic Antique Oval Sterling Silver Napkin Ring +
Located in Sheffield, MA
Treat yourself or a friend to this simple elegant and classic oval sterling napkin ring stamped "sterling".
Category
Early 20th Century American Classical Berkshires
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vakko Black Suede Jacket with Gold and Stone Trim
Located in Alford, MA
Vakko black suede jacket embellished with gold braid interspersed with multicolor gems is a showstopper. The long, shaped jacket hits below the hips and features an open neckline tr...
Category
Late 20th Century American Berkshires
MiriamHaskell 1930s FrankHess TripleSeashell RussianGilt Flora WoodLeaf Brooch
By Frank Hess for Miriam Haskell
Located in Chicago, IL
This early Miriam Haskell lacquered-shell and brass-decorated clip brooch was created by Frank Hess, her first designer since 1926. The 1930s brooch features three seashells supporti...
Category
1930s American Baroque Revival Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Gold, Base Metal, Brass, Gilt Metal
Pair of 19th Century Hand-Painted Spode Sauce Tureens
By Spode
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a special pair of 19th C, Spode sauce tureens with matching attached underplates and handles. The raised molded relief depicting pheasants ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Berkshires
Materials
Porcelain
Artist Sterling ProngSetCrystalPendants For FreshFlowers Jewelers'Werk Necklace
Located in Chicago, IL
Made by a gallery-exhibited artist, this ingenious signed sterling-silver chain link collar necklace that fastens with a handcrafted filigree floral clasp features eight convertible ...
Category
1990s American Artisan Berkshires
Materials
Crystal, Morganite, Sterling Silver
JohnGalliano 1stYearChristianDior Ballerina Silk Georgette Layered BiasCut Gown
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Chicago, IL
During his first year as French Christian Dior creative director in Paris for haute couture and ready-to-wear in 1997, John Galliano designed for his Spring/Summer 1998 button-enhanc...
Category
1990s French Berkshires
Custom Garden Metal Dining Table Base Made by BH&A
Located in Sheffield, MA
Elegant and rustic at the same time, this custom made wrought iron garden dining table base can be used indoors or outdoors, porch or patio. Add the table top of your choice be it wo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Berkshires
Materials
Iron
Square Zinc top dining table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A timeless Swedish Gustavian inspired farmhouse table made with square zinc table top and a white washed wood pedestal table base. The table m...
Category
20th Century Berkshires
Materials
Zinc
MiriamHaskell 1930s Hess GlassFauxPearl ClusterCascade FrenchClip DangleEarrings
By Miriam Haskell
Located in Chicago, IL
Miriam Haskell's first designer since 1926 Frank Hess created in a Baroque style these handcrafted cluster-cascade-dangle earrings that feature coated-glass ecru round faux-pearls wh...
Category
1930s American Art Nouveau Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Pearl, Brass, Gilt Metal, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
MiriamHaskell 1947-49 FrankHess EarliestSignature RussianGilt FleurDeLysEarrings
By Frank Hess for Miriam Haskell
Located in Chicago, IL
With the earliest brand signature from 1947-1949, these Miriam Haskell (1899-1981) hand-wired Russsian-gilt brass floral French-wire-clip earrings were created by her first designer ...
Category
1940s American Baroque Revival Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Brass, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Couture MartinMargiela 1994 Artisanal Line0 UpcycledSocks Overdyed Pullover
By Maison Martin Margiela
Located in Chicago, IL
In 1994, Martin Margiela did something unprecedented with his contemporary luxury fashion brand Maison Martin Margiela, which was to debut a collection with no new designs but rather...
Category
1990s Belgian Berkshires
Louis XVI Bergère
Located in Sheffield, MA
French Louis XVI stripped armchair giving it an informal casual charm with rose dust moire upholstered back & overstuffed feather seat cushion over fluted turned legs, wonderful hand...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Berkshires
Materials
Wood
MiriamHaskell 1945 CrystalRosesMontees Filigree Glass Enameled ClimberEarrings
By Frank Hess for Miriam Haskell
Located in Chicago, IL
Before the brand signature was added in 1947, Miriam Haskell's first designer Frank Hess since 1926 designed these asymmetrical Baroque-style climber earrings with hand-painted white-and-ecru enamel leaves, crystal and glass beads, and Russian-gold gilt metal flowers, which are attached to a thick filigree branch that launched the post-war style of covering wires used to attach roses montees and beads behind an additional filigree plate. A similarly constructed and shaped pale-blue pair of climbers dated 1945 are in the renowned Barbara Berger museum-exhibited costume-jewelry collection.
Characteristic of the materials favored by Hess for his designs, the clear rosette-cut rhinestones, intricate gilt-metal decorations, and white round glass beads were handcrafted in France by Parisian Louis Rousselet, who was among the first paruriers for Coco Chanel's couture clothing since the 1920s. In contrast to bold costume-jewelry by Chanel using...
Category
1940s American Art Nouveau Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Crystal, Pearl, Gold, Enamel, Gilt Metal
CoutureChanel Antique Byzantine ThePurpleHeart PearlAmethystQuartz GoldMedallion
By Chanel
Located in Chicago, IL
During the ArtDeco period when Gabriel "Coco" Chanel was at her peak as a Parisian couture fashion-designer in the early 1930s, this antique one-of-a-kind handcrafted gem-fringed and gilt-chain medallion brooch with trombone clasp was commissioned to accessorize one of her clothing designs. Marked only "FRANCE" like some early 1930s Chanel couture jewelry (without a brand stamp until the 1950s), its artistic origin is most likely from ornate organic-form sketches by her favorite parurer Fulco di Verdura. The Sicilian duke began creating fabric patterns for Chanel in 1927, which shortly expanded to fine jewelry beginning with custom pieces for herself. These include the iconic Byzantine-influenced gem-adorned cuffs referencing the Maltese military-cross, which the French designer can often be seen wearing in circa-1930s photos.
This bright yellow-gold brooch suits goldsmith Verdura's early anti-Art-Deco aesthetic that was considered a radical departure from 1920s silver-tone jewelry, which otherwise featured linear geometric designs or figurative representation. The softly-shaped deconstructed gem-bouquet mixes amethyst and rose-quartz beads with natural Keshi pearls and intricate tiny gilt leaves, which are wired to a Baroque-motif open-work frame that dangles another gem surrounded by a thick gilt-rope halo. Notably, Verdura is credited with re-introducing since Victorian times the rope motif to jewelry.
Since 1930, Verdura's unique style was influenced by travels with Chanel to explore Byzantine art, Baroque architecture, and exotic flora-and-fauna among his native Italian aristocratic estate. The legendary fashion-editor Diane Vreeland and American entertainment-stars were among the first Chanel clients to acquire couture real-gem-adorned jewelry made by Verdura, while one of the two brooches treasured by Vreeland was titled "Theodora". See our photo of the Byzantine mosaic of Empress Theodora, whose image wearing many teardrop pearls above her chest and surrounded by a golden halo seems to be the inspiration for this brooch.
As one of the most important modern-design collaborations, Chanel's close relationship with Verdura lasted largely-undocumented years in Paris, until he launched his first outside jewelry venture with a Hollywood designer-boutique after emigrating to the United States in 1934. By 1939 as a financially-backed in-demand goldsmith, he founded the namesake jewelry-company Verdura in NYC. After he retired in 1973, the brand continued to operate without him with different owners.
Given the duo's designs that played with historic and military references, Chanel's couture commission for this purple medallion may have been sparked in the early 1930s when the internationally-new...
Category
1930s French Byzantine Vintage Berkshires
Materials
Amethyst, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Couture GaultierDesigner 2000s SemiPreciousStones Textiles DangleChains Earring
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Chicago, IL
A Parisian haute-couture runway accessory designer for French Jean-Paul Gautier handmade this decadent street-culture-inspired wire-hook earring with multiple tumbled semi-precious stones, gilt chain and cord, and multi-color sequins that suggest divergent international cultures. On both the front and back, an explosion of deconstructed couture-textile remnants...
Category
Early 2000s French Egyptian Revival Berkshires
Materials
Quartz, Coral, Tiger's Eye, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
Petitte French Rococo Style Painted Console Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
This French Rococo style console table, The distressed ivory painted finish. Three cabriole legs support the table beneath. Beautifully unique, this table will add a bit of romance a...
Category
Early 20th Century Berkshires
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Silver Plate Vermeil Three-Piece Centerpiece Set
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Magnificent three-piece French silver plate vermeil centerpiece/garniture with grapevine and leaf motif. Centerpiece features three detachable hanging baskets for flowers, fruit or s...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Berkshires
French Louis XV Provincial Style Bergere Lounge chair and Ottoman
Located in Sheffield, MA
Classic over-sized French Louis XV provincial style bergère with matching curved ottoman. The chair features an slightly arched back, straight turned arms and a cushioned seat with a...
Category
20th Century Louis XV Berkshires
Materials
Wood
Vintage Swedish Style White Washed Table Painted Base Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
A timeless Swedish Gustavian inspired painted farmhouse table made with reclaimed whitewashed wood table top and a red painted colored wood table base. The table makes a perfect addi...
Category
Early 20th Century Gustavian Berkshires
Materials
Wood
Dolce&Gabbana 1995 Lace CutWork Black Ensemble WoolKnitTurtleneck Belt & Skirt
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Chicago, IL
The Italian duo Dolce & Gabbana for their Fall/Winter 1995 runway show featured black lace ensembles that included this trio of merino-wool turtleneck knit with asymmetrical vertical...
Category
1990s Italian Berkshires
StellaMcCartney 2003 SilkSatin Print OffShoulder Disco MiniDress or BomberJacket
By Stella McCartney
Located in Chicago, IL
Arguable the most significant design in the Stella McCartney Spring/Summer 2003 collection since it debuted in several colors on the runway and was worn by the British designer to take her fashion-show bow, this pink-printed dark-grey silk-blend zip-front mini-dress with white satin stripes and pink piping was a favorite of the Vogue critic and her father Beatles co-founder Paul McCarthy.
Vogue wrote: "Her hippest new idea came in the form of puffy satin bombers--she transformed one, a fusion of sport and chinoiserie print, into an off-the-shoulder bubble dress. McCartney is so into the glam-bomber idea, in fact, that she bounded onto the runway wearing a black version herself."
The garment's voluminous batwing sleeves and stretch-cotton ribbed neckline and hem, plus custom golden-charm two-way zipper, enable it to have two different necklines and lengths to convert to a shorter puffier bomber jacket.
Notably, the versatile piece that is subtly printed with mock-Beatles lyrics seems to have been the first tribute fashion-design that McCartney created to reference her father. Prior, she had credited her stylish mother Linda for instilling her with a love of fashion and inspiration for her initial namesake collections, which followed her first commercial collections with Phoebe Philo for Chloe.
For background, when McCartney was a young girl in 1978, the mock-rock band The Rutles parodied a Beatles song, which was recorded by EMI as "Ging, Gang, Goolie". Given its lyrics, the chinoiserie-style dragon motifs were substituted by McCartney with bird skeletons...
Category
Early 2000s British Berkshires
1950s LingerieLike Ruched CrepeSilk & SemiTransparentOrganzaNetSkirt MiniDress
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusual mid-century lingerie-style black semi-transparent mini dress that conjures a historic pinup-girl like Bettie Page is suitable as a cocktail dress as part of an evening ensemble. It was probably meant by its New York designer to be paired with slim cropped pants, which became popular in The States after worn by Hollywood-movie actresses Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. The A-line dress was most likely made by the former ready-to-wear fashion company following the revolutionary debut by French Christian Dior of his couture cinched-waist-voluminous-skirt "New Look" collection, whereafter German Sonja de Lennart introduced "Capris" in 1949, and American Hugh Hefner launched Playboy magazine in 1953.
The complex hourglass-shaped garment features a double v-neck four-seamed ruched lined bodice in a crepe silky woven fabric. Its defined gathered bust extends from the chest seams at two angles to form short dolman sleeves only in the front, while there are arm seams in back. The gathered see-through black faux-lace organza flared skirt reveals a black velvet-textured scalloped floral pattern with a net underlayer. With beige lining, the self-trim band at the waist enables the folded scalloped-lace pattern to continue to stand out on the opaque black torso. The edges of the peplum and sleeves are further cut in a scallop shape to resemble more delicate eyelash-lace trim.
The brand label of the obsolete line is the only interior tag that remains. Camouflaging the midsection, the flattering dress will best suit a U.S.-size 6. It can also be worn by larger sizes with a relatively slim waist and small or large bust as there is no restriction at the hips or wide armholes. At the waistline, a hook and looped cord fasten over the bypass zipper to better conceal it. Notably, the steel-tab-and-teeth zipper is an original U.S-made Murlen model, which was used in new clothes from the 1940s to 1960s and helps to date the mid-century dress.
Category
1950s American Berkshires
Antique Marble Top Metal Base Coffee Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th Century Continental metal base with fine detailing, distressed painted surface with residue of early paint, topped with white Carrara marble makes this coffee table a fine addit...
Category
19th Century Gothic Revival Antique Berkshires
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
