USA - Figurines and Sculptures

This dark green (almost black) nephrite jade pendant is inscribed with a brief poem about spring. The text — 泛好 红时春 万辰 风 象翠沐 新绿 雨 — which would appear to be an ode to the cleansing, ...

Weight: 301.6 grams Stone: Jade, 3.75 x 3.25 inches Wood stand dimension: 10.25 x 6.5 x 3 inches Item #: BR-1318-061224-13

A pair of natural translucent light greenish-gray jadeite jade smoking pipes, featuring one smaller and one larger pipe. The smaller pipe measures approximately 62.10 x 23.61 x 14.47...

This powerful, absolutely stunning Midcentury nephrite jade statue has been attributed to the artist Mary Polon, known mostly for her paintings. The textu...

Five German 812 silver figures, ca 1880. This set comprises two musicians, a tankard-bearing tavern keeper, a fowl-serving wench, and a dagger-wielding pierrot let loose among these ...

Preowned 14K yellow gold key chain with the Rod of Asclepius. * Weight: 20 grams

THIS IS A SUPERB ANTIQUE AUSTRIAN VIENNA BRONZE OF A BLACK POODLE DOG. This wonderful antique Austrian Vienna Bronze (Bronze de Vienne, Wiener Bronze, Cold Painted Bronze) dates to ...

We are are offering this Large Outstanding Monumental Signed Original 19th Century Dresden Figural Group Showcasing 2 Couples. German porcelain figural court scene grouping, with blu...

Dutch Silver Bench and Chair Miniatures for a Doll's House, Schoonhoven, 1970s Two Beautiful Dutch silver miniatures comprising a classic ladder back bench...

Mid to Late 20th Century Silver and Gold Plate Belt Buckle with Tibetan Motif A round medallion shaped belt buckle with a carved whimsical dragon in a field of clouds, surrounding l...

THIS IS A SUPERB AUSTRIAN VIENNA BRONZE OF A WHITE POODLE DOG CARRYING A PURSE. This wonderful antique Austrian Vienna Bronze (Bronze de Vienne, Wiener Bron...

Depicting the Russian emperor, Tsar Nicholas I (r 1825-55) in profile within a 19th century neoclassical style bronze circular frame. French, 1825-55. ...

This beautiful collectible piece dates back to the roaring twenties. In 1922 this figurine won first price in the Salon De L'Auto in Paris. It is set in a marble stand. Dimensions: ...

The Following Item we are Offering is A Magnificent Louis XVI Style Gilt Metal and Bronze Mantle Cherub 3 Pc Clock Set, circular white enamel dial with Floral Wreaths and Numbers enc...

This is a very RARE pair of antique shakers hand-wrought in sterling silver by the craftsmen of Edward Charles Brown of London England in 1867. These lifelike little monkeys are remi...

THIS IS A SUPERB SET OF THREE LITTLE PIGS BRONZES. THE PIGS ARE ANTIQUE AUSTRIAN VIENNA BRONZES. These wonderful antique Austrian Vienna Bronzes (Bronze de Vienne, Wiener Bronze, Cold Painted Bronze) date to circa 1900. The bronzes are of the highest quality of Vienna Bronzes with superb modeling and expression. They are cold painted with beautiful details. The bronzes are very possibly made by Bergmann. They are marked GESCHUTZT, the German mark for imports. The three pig...

This is a beautiful and one-of-a-kind rough Colombian emerald sculpture. It is an Egyptian-styled rough; handcrafted, and made of natural black and gray shale with minimal traces of ...

The Following Item we are offering is An Outstanding Rare Important Fine Impressive 19th Century Estate Marble and Alabaster Figure of a Beautiful Gorgeous Young Woman Holding a Wate...

This is a beautiful and one-of-a-kind rough Colombian emerald sculpture. Our national bird, the bald eagle. This majestic head sculpture contains medium-dark, rough Colombian emerald...

French Second-Empire artist Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse is known as the most prolific sculptor of this period. His sculptures were displayed in the Tuileries, the Louvre and the O...

French neo classic desk seal. Wonderful desk seal, created in France during the late 18th century, back in the 1798-1808. This magnificent piece of art was conceived as a miniature sculpture mounted in a Louis XVI neoclassical style base. This base is crafted in 18 karats gold over silver with chiseled and incised decorations, supporting a magnificent extremely detailed carving of a women. The carved piece, depicts, the naked portrait bust of the classical Greek-Roman goddess of the flowers and nature Flora (Heba), facing forward and exhibiting her breasts, undressed and crowned with flowers, wheat and ivy. Flora or Heba She was the deity of the flowering plants, fertility, spring, and blossoming. Although she was a minor figure compared to other goddesses of the Roman empire, she was important as a fertility goddess. Flora was responsible for the abundance of the crops in spring, so her worship strengthened as this season approached. Her name derives from the Latin floris, which means flower, and her Greek counterpart was the nymph, Chloris. The Sabine King Titus Tatius introduced Flora into the Roman pantheon...

Alex Soldier created a conceptual work of art titled Essence Of A Woman to celebrate women around the world in all of their incredibly versatile nature, character and beauty. The sta...

A Beautiful and Rare Original 19th Century Russian Bronze Sculpture by Evgeni Lanceray, Cast bronze figural group. Bronze Showcases a young bo...

This beautiful and one-of-a-kind rough Colombian emerald sculpture. A hand-carved large cat, created by gray and black shale, white calcite and gorgeous natural Colombian emerald rou...

The Following Items we are offering are a Rare Pair of Large Original Maitland Smith Impressive Cast Bronze and Patinated Parrots resting on Tree Stumps, their wing and tail feathers...

Rough Emerald- Color: Green Clarity: Opaque Origin: Colombia Sculpture- Stone(s): Black Shale, Gray Shale, Calcite Measurement: 4.5" x 2.25" x 1.5" Weight: 300.6 Grams

This is a beautiful and one-of-a-kind rough Colombian emerald sculpture. Featuring a magnificent Egyptian goddess, made of black and gray shale with b...

This is a beautiful and one-of-a-kind rough Colombian emerald sculpture. Featuring a rare and exotic, hand-carved Komodo Dragon made of black and gray s...

A piece of art, painting made with diamonds, diamonds are natural 100% this piece is perfect for pendant making or further art. *Item will come with a beautiful packaging and certif...

A Beautiful Museum Quality French Ormolu-Mounted Mahagony and Fruitwood Center Table Circa Early 1900's. The rectangular grey-veined white marble top above a spring-activated frieze ...

An Exquisite and Beautiful Museum Quality Estate Bronze boy holding monkey. The Bronze with a mid brown patina, depicting the young boy with the monkey hanging from his shirt, on cir...

From Great Britain Paul Eaton VPRMS MAA sculpted a Greyhound dog head pendant (3/4"w x 1/2"h x 3/8"d). An elegant sterling-silver bespoke miniature Grey...

"Terrie" Sculpted by Tom Bennett in 1976 Artist's Proof from a Limited Edition of 100 which Sold Out in the Late 1970s Terrie is inspired by Tom's daughter, who became a sculptor in ...

An exceptionally stunning carving of the Hindu Gods Radha & Krishna in a rare Bi-Color Aquamarine with paint work as well. The figurine’s dimensions are 2” ...

The Following Item we are Offering is a Lovely Museum Quality Large and very elaborately openwork carved in an Exceptional even White Stone. Beautifully carved as a standing figure o...

Gorgeous Ashton-Drake "Diana, Princess of Wales" doll never removed from its' original box! Designer: Titus Tomescu. Includes the certificate of authenticity. Limited Edition #4185 F...

One of history's most important American Indian leaders, Seminole Indian chief Billy Bowlegs (also known as Holata Micco, or "Alligator Chief"), is repre...

The Following Item is a Museum Quality Original Beautiful Italian White Marble and Alabaster Lamp Sculpture of a Figural Nude Woman Sitting on a Rock by Artist Ferdinando Vichi (1875...

Miniature wildlife artist, Paul Eaton from England, hand sculpted a Greyhound dog head pendant (3/4"w x 1/2"h x 3/8"d) which is elegantly framed with one or two drop freshwater pearls (2"h). The bespoke Greyhound dog sculpture is made into jewelry you can wear close to your heart. Paul Eaton possibly the world's best miniature sculptor of animals is also a professional gold/silversmith. Born in London Paul Eaton soon moved to the countryside where his love of wildlife started thus enabled him to produce sculpture with finite detail. Paul carves his original sculptures from wax, then casts in metals. Each are cast individually and hand finished. Paul Eaton’s jewelry can be customized with any animal in Sterling, 9ct, 18ct and any combination of metal or stones. The Greyhound pendant...

Miniature wildlife artist, Paul Eaton from England, hand sculpted a Retriever dog head pendant which is elegantly framed with two drop baroque freshwater pearls. The bespoke Retrieve...

Miniature wildlife artist, Paul Eaton from England, hand sculpted a horse head pendant (3/4"w x 5/8"h x 3/8"d) which is elegantly framed with two drop baroque freshwater pearls...

Chinese carved coral figure of a woman's face Very finely hand-carved. Late 20th Century, China Weight: 182 grams with base Dimensions: approximately...

From Great Britain Paul Eaton VPRMS MAA sculpted a Labrador head with an elegant diamond set collar resting in a heart. The pendant will be a jewelry piece you can wear close to your heart. A perfect bespoke Labrador sculpture...

The Following Item we are offering is a Large Spectacular Estate Hand Carved Cow Bone with the Seven Happy G-ds Aboard. Taken out of a Private Collecti...

Louis XIV Style Marble and Ormolu Votive Cassolettes Votives Gorgeous! Gorgeous Ormolu Cassolettes Louis XIV Beautiful Set of Two Ormolu Candle Votive Cassolettes Appx Height = 10" ...

Victor Salmones Sculpture Bronze Nude Women Sculpture Mexico, 1937-89

Antique French 18 Karat Yellow Gold Serpent Snake Belt Buckle Cabochon Rubies 30.38 grams W 81.06mm H 41mm

This is a beautiful and one-of-a-kind rough Colombian emerald sculpture. This unique item represents the woman in the morning, selling fruit to their local hometowns in Colombia. In ...

This whimsical coral smiling Happy Buddha pendant is crafted in solid 18-karat yellow gold. Showcasing an expertly carved salmon colored coral Bud...

Turn-of-the-century European silver bell. Tulip-bowl with twisted gadrooning. Figural handle depicting an old-fashioned countryman holding two live fowl. Here’s dinner—eventually. Su...

Miniature wildlife artist, Paul Eaton from England, hand sculpted a sterling silver Doberman dog head pendant which is elegantly framed with two drop baroque freshwater pearls. ...

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock Crystal, Enamel, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, Agate, Emerald, and Obsidian Polo Player, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1999. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved obdisian hardstone horse and polo player, mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, emaralds, enamel, lapis lazuli, and agate, .The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / MELLERIO DITS MELLER PARIS / 5003 DIV 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 12" high x 8" 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...

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...

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamond, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Obsidian & Lapis Horse An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt rock-crystal, obsidian and lapis lazuli jeweled sculpture "Bucéphale, Chevaux de légende", "Bucephalus, A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1998. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock crystal slab is finely applied with a lapis lazuli half-horse with harness mounted in 18k gold and brilliant cut diamonds, between two crystal and lapis lazuli columns adorned with gold and diamonds, insert with 7 ruby cabochons and 1 emerald cabochon, the obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5029 DIV Bucephalus (c355-326 BC) is among the most famous horses in history, and it was said that this he could not be tamed. The young Alexander the Great, of course, tamed him – and went on to ride his beloved equine companion for many years and into many battles. 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" high x 9" 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...