Continental US - More 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...

A necessity during the Victorian Era, hat pins not only balanced precarious hats atop piles of hair but also moonlighted as weapons against overzealous gentlemen. Though teetering ha...

Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Reverse Intaglio Fish Tie Clip This lovely tie clip features a beautifully detailed reverse intaglio fish (16 mm x 13 mm) set on...

An 18K gold, diamonds, amethyst, tourmaline, bloodstone, carved emerald, opal and jasper toucan bird resting on a gold tree branch, mounted on a carved malachite base. A very rare and unique gold-mounted jeweled object...

Gucci, Two-tone Gold and Diamond Purse This purse is made of woven 18k yellow gold on the sides with a band in the center and 18k white gold thr...

A necessity during the Victorian Era, hat pins not only balanced precarious hats atop piles of hair but also moonlighted as weapons against overzealous gentlemen. Though teetering ha...

Exquisite!! Art Deco! Natural pearl, mother of pearl diamond and onyx compact, circa 1920's. Here is when we say and Picture Is Worth Thousand Words Estimated diamond weight...

An Exquisite 14K Gold, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Semi Precious Stone Mounted Rhodonite Camel. Circa 1970, Italy A very good quality and unusual gold mounted jeweled object...

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

This sophisticated platinum diamond cross tie tack and clutch exudes timeless elegance with its minimalist yet refined design. At its center, a dazzling 4.0mm...

A rare 18K gold, enamel and diamond mounted carved labradorite turkey bird sculpture on a petrified wood base, attributed to Manfred Wild, Idar-Oberstein, ...

A Rare American Gold Mounted Intaglio Seal of a Bust-length portrait of the first President in uniform enclosed by the inscription "George Washington", Early 19th Century. In a fitted green leather box retailed by: D.S. Lavender Antiques Ltd., Bond Street, London, England; PROVENANCE: D.S. Lavender Antiques Ltd., Bond Street, London, England Anita and Irvin Schorsch Collection Exhibited: Museum of Mourning Art...

Carved Rock Crystal Fish Desk Objects by Boucheron A pair of rock crystal and gem set table ornaments, circa 1970 Designed as a rock crystal carp upon a jasp...

Rare 1900's Cartier belt buckle with flower motifs set with old mine cut diamonds. Signed 'Cartier Paris', numbered, with maker's mark and eagle st...

The MOXI Cocktail Ring is impossibly detailed, forming delicate webs that all at once seem half biological, half geological and all otherworldly. Thin ribs and loops seem to grow aro...

A vintage Mikimoto Pearl on a beutiful unique paper weight by Mikimoto Its in shell shape Weight 57 gm i inch wide and 1 and Half inch tall ...

Stunning four piece gold bracelet, ring, bolo and buckle set made by Robert and Burnice Leekya. Navajo four-piece set: bracelet, ring, bolo, and buckle. 14K gold overlay and turquoise nuggets. Signed "RBL". From the Sleeping Beauty Mine. Zuni husband and wife Robert and Bernice Leekya are known for their bold turquoise nugget jewelry. They have been making unique pieces since 1953. Robert was taught by his father, a master Zuni jeweler Leekya Deyuse...

A necessity during the Victorian Era, hat pins not only balanced precarious hats atop piles of hair but also moonlighted as weapons against overzealous gentlemen. Though teetering ha...

Fabulous emerald lizard form brooch set with emerald green pastes on silver. The Roman symbol of wedded bliss and popular in jewelry in fin de siecle (end ...

Sculptural twisted pen designed by Angela Cummings. Sculptural pen, created back in the 1981 in New York city at the Tiffany Studios. This fabulous sculpt...

The legendary Michelangelo's Moses is meticulously recreated in this 19th-century cameo brooch. Crafted of beautiful onyx, the intricate cameo resides in ...

Certified Natural Multicolor Fancy Diamond Brooch An 18 karat white gold brooch set with 5 multi color marquise cut diamonds each weighing approx...

Reed & Barton wonderfully large sterling silver plated "Lady Bug" accented with hammered detailing as well as etching throughout. The "self-wind" musical note plays "You Are My Sunshine...

Large Art Deco period lorgnette with a long, elegant reticulated 14K white gold handle accented by two diamonds and three sapphires set in a stylized geometrical and scrolled design ...

One of the finest game boxes we've had the pleasure of offering, classic Regency Style, the case beautifully constructed of rare, dramatically figured Coromandel wood, lift top with front panel doors opening to reveal a hand carved chess set...

This exquisite and rare black jade tablet dates to the Qing period. The Qing Dynasty period spanned the years 1636 -1912. Precisely dating jade artifacts...

Very unique and stylish diamond spear hat pin, created by Merkaba Jewelry in 18K white gold. The round brilliant diamonds weigh a total of 0.50 carats. Total length - 1.75" inches R...

Adorable 18k yellow gold and black enamel excited Chihuahua dog brooch. Chihuahua brooch is accented by two round sapphire gemstones for the eyes and a ...

This box made of volcanic lava is topped with a sterling silver and crystal ball finial. The four silver circles are movable to create either a flat or three dimensional form. The in...

Armand American Horse nickel silver and turquoise jewelry box. Includes moon face motif on lid and hand stamped detail along sides. Stamped on bottom with artist hallmark. Three genu...

Art glass vase sign: Daum Nancy France. Evidenced by this Daum sculptural colorless blown and hot-shaped lead-crystal heavy vessel vase, the finest irreproducible artistic works in the history of the iconic French decorative-glass maker feature ornamental thick glass applications. Its most in-demand pieces today were made between 1925 and 1935, with very few major ArtDeco-period pieces remaining in private hands and even less without damage. As a significant gift acquired from Don Jacques Daum in 1950, a similarly shaped, constructed and sized circa-1925 vase with "stylized foliage" motif is in the collection of the French Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris as Inventory #36309. A later-produced vase with a similar application-motif at just the rim, but in a "Champagne" bubbled style, is among the photos in the published book about the Leo and Irina Esterkin acquisitions from 1910-1940 titled Daum Art Deco Glass--A Private Collection. On our prime-condition antique vase, applied transparent glass is styled in high relief into a flowing undulating motif that evolved from Daum's Art Nouveau foliage designs. The angular and curvilinear shapes of this vessel epitomize the bold vases, bowls and sculptures for which Daum is best known. Its tiny pencil-etched signature on the side near the bottom reads "Daum (plus the Lorraine-cross symbol) Nancy France", which resembles some published signatures since 1925. Revealing how ahead of its time this particular design was--after WWII in 1945 coinciding with the revitalization of the French glass industry--Daum used...

Piel Frères Art Nouveau double prong buckle circa 1900. Of rich matte gilt bronze foliage and japanned silver plated blooming poppies with matte gilt detai...

Shadowbox belt buckle with multi coral nuggets. Marked sterling silver. Made by Navajo silversmith J. Begay. Stunning oxblood coral stones surrounded by twisted rope border and sterl...

Hammered Finish Signed Henry Dunay Seashell Brooch/ Pin in 18K Yellow Gold.

Large bronze roundel with mythological scene depicting Hercules fighting a centaur. France, circa 19th century.

Exceptionally rare antique Russian Icon of Saint Tryphon, the Patron Saint of wine growers, restauranteurs, falconers. Saint Tryphon's saint day is February 14th, according to the Old Calendar, which is the time for wine growers to prune their grape vines for an abundant harvest in the fall. This day became a wine festival celebrated with much drinking to toast the upcoming growing season, particularly in Greece, Macedonia and the surrounding Balkan Countries where wine is an important source of income. By extension, Saint Tryphon also came to be revered as the Patron Saint of restauranteurs and bar keepers. A Russian legend relating to Saint Tryphon is that Tsar Ivan the Terrible...

Antique sterling silver belt buckle from Georg Jensen in the Acorn pattern #67, circa 1915-1927. The Acorn pattern was introduced ...

This wonderful enamel buckle by Cartier, Paris features meticulous attention to detail in its very fine enamel work. Dating from around 1890 this 18 karat yellow and rose gold beauty...

A articulated antique pendant, composed by an articulated gold and silver mounting structure, centering an old mine spinel weighing approximately 8cts, embellished by rose cut diamo...

Sterle Gold Hand Mirror A double sided mirror with an acrylic handle set in 14 karat gold accented by 19 round diamonds Signed Sterle Paris and n...

A necessity during the Victorian Era, hat pins not only balanced precarious hats atop piles of hair but also moonlighted as weapons against overzealous gentlemen. Though teetering hats are no longer de rigeur, glorious century-plus-old pins such as these can be pierced through modern hats as statement accessories or even arranged in the hair like chopsticks. This outrageous set taken from a 1930s hat...

This is a museum quality Belle Epoque - Art Deco Egyptian Revival masterpiece with a Lapis Lazuli Pharoah, adorned with Old Mine and Rose Cut Diamonds, Ruby, and Pearls and set in 14...

A fine antique English sterling silver perfume flask. With a tapered spiral form body and a conforming lid. Made by Gourdel, Vales, & C...

14 Karat Ridged Tie Bar. Simple design yet sophisticated piece that will add a nice detail to any tie. The top of the tie bar has a zig-zag design and the enti...

A fine silver, enamel, & agate bowl. With a carved agate bowl mounted on a silver & enamel base. We're unsure about the bowl's origin, although we have a strong inclination to think that it's Austrian. The base has intricate embossed flowers in silver...

Indulge in an Antique Pair Of French Napoleon III - Belle Epoque Gilt Bronze and White Marble Cherub Putti Candelabras dating to circa 1870. Elevate your interior with this exquisite...

Authentic rare Chanel Hologram fob key chain or bag charm. A signature gilt curb chain suspends a round fob embedded with gilt motifs which display ...

A rare Early Victorian sterling silver inkstand or standish by Henry Wilkinson. Retaining its original bottles, lids, taper stick, snuffer and a quill or wafer compartment. The body...

A wonderful pair of antique Champagne nippers or wire cutters. Likely French with an ornate gilt bronze sheath, cornucopia handles, and steel blades. A real rarity and a must-have ...

14 Karat Yellow Gold Telescopic Pencil- This elegant piece features a telescopic pencil that opens 96 mm. Can be attached to chain or fob. Size: 67 mm x 9 mm Weight: 6.9 dwt. / 1...

Indulge in a Museum Quality Pair of French Patinated Bronze and Gilt Bronze Cherub Candelabra Lamps with Silk Shades. This is an exquisite Pair Of Antique French Napoleon III - Belle...

Gentleman's Sterling Silver and Leaded Glass Antique English Flask. Six inches tall with removable bottom to form a cup. Measures 6 x 3 x 1 inches. In ...

A splendid spectrum of color awaits your hand with the Precious Kaleidoscope ring, a Zorab Creation. Mesmerizing in its brilliantly light catching tones, yellow diamonds 0.26 carats...

Vintage Sterling silver nurses buckle. Beautiful open work buckle made popular by nurses who used them for the capes of their uniforms. Measures approx...

Metallic art tie designed by Pierre Cardin. Very rare metallic tie, created in Paris France by the fashion designer Pierre Cardin, back in the 1970. It was crafted as a piece of art...

Yaakov Agam a Gold Kinetic Sculpture. The 5" x 2 1/8" 18k yellow gold movable sculpture in the shape of a deconstructed Star of David. Comes with the origi...

Brand: Cartier Condition: Excellent Total weight: 135.5 g SKU#O-00626

A Large Marble and Brass Mounted Cassolettes, Vases. It is topped with a cover terminating with a pine cone finial and a further collar of downward hanging overlapping leaves.The vas...

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...

Vintage 1947 Johannes Siggaard Sterling Silver Demitasse Spoon Set with Original Case. This elegant set includes twelve spoons, each hallmarked with the Danish three towers mark and ...