Illinois - Enamel Frames and Objects

The piece on display is an absolute marvel of craftsmanship that is bound to leave you in awe. It is a testament to the skilled artisans who created it, showcasing elaborate and deta...

DETAILS • signed JAY STRONGWATER • gold tone with enamel • vintage designer photo frame MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • excellent vinta...

Pendant with Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven Western Europe, Southern Germany (?), Italy (?), c. 1550-1560 Gold, enamel, diamonds, and pearls Weight 13.2 gr; Length 36.9 x 31.2 mm (incl. pearls) This sumptuous image exudes regal power. It portrays the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven wearing a dress and crown studded with seven large diamonds and set against a translucent, rich blue celestial background. Far removed from the tender, humble Virgin seen in German and Netherlandish artworks of the period, she is a majestic ruler, mouth sternly set, head tilted upward, and face in full profile. The oval pendant cast in high gold relief with a central medallion, the single figure filling the space, echoes jewelry portraits of the aristocracy during the Renaissance, which similarly offset the ruler’s image against a blue field composed of enamel or lapis lazuli, symbolic of divine power Only the rays of the shining gold halo that emerge behind the Virgin’s head and her long flowing hair (instead of neatly coiffed) distinguish her from female ruler portraits of the period. Three studded pearls, forming an axis, also recall pendants of European rulers. Wealth, royal status, and divine power come together in this opulent pendant. Portraits of the period show similar small oval pendants worn by women in the square of the garment or by men nestled inside multiple chains below the base of the neck. PROVENANCE European Private Collection LITERATURE Compare images from ancient Rome, for example a sardonyx cameo with female head (Kugel 2000, no. 18; Milan, c. 1550), and a pendant with gold, pearls, and enamel in the Staatliche Museum Kassel (Schmidberger/Richter 2001, no. 43; France, c. 1555-1560). For ruler pendants with blue backgrounds see a pendant of King Frances I...

Circa 1920s Repeater Clock by D. Fresard Switzerland, Gold Gilt Sterling Silver case with Red Enamel measuring 3 X 2 X 1 1/4 inches, Rose Quartz Base a...

This exquisite Russian Imperial era silver-gilt and shaded cloisonne enamel jeweled bowl (bratina) was made in Moscow in the 1890s by Nicholas Alexeev. Height 3 1/2 in. (9 cm). Diameter 5 in. (12.8 cm). Weight 396 grams (14 oz). The lobed body is enameled with stylized corals and floral designs and embellished with cabochon cut chrysoprases and faceted garnets. This piece is significantly bigger and heavier than other known Alexeev bowls (bratinas). Bratina – is a traditional Russian medieval...

A SUPERB antique gilded silver and shaded cloisonne enamel vodka cup (charka) in the Russian Moderne style of the early 1900s by Peter Carl FABERGE, workmast...

A rare, museum quality, highly important FABERGE two-color gold and guilloche enamel double picture frame. The frame was made in St. Petersburg between 1908 and 1917. Two rose gold round frames are joined together with a gold bow. The frames are embellished with a superb quality bluish-white guilloche enamel that has a golden sheen. Each frame is applied over the enamel with a finely chased matte green gold laurel wreath tied with a polished rose gold bow.  The borders of the frames are chased with matte green gold laurel leaves. The scrolling strut is made out of gilded silver. The majority of Faberge picture...