modemodern vintage and antique jewelry accessories and decorative arts
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1960 item #1022038
modemodern
SOLD
Stunning statement size bangle in shiny black celluloid with dark cream celluloid applied dimensional flowers with black celluloid centers. Circa 1950. 2 5/16 inches wide, 5/8 inch deep, and 2 9/16 inches inside diameter. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail. Display form is lifesize.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Period : Pre 1960 item #1262629
modemodern
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Classic vintage circa 1950 bracelet with carved agate scarabs mounted in 14KT yellow gold. Marked 14K. With scarabs in carnelian, rock crystal, tiger eye, banded onyx, unakite, and bloodstone. 7 1/4 inches wearable length and 1/2 inch wide. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #1229139
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Beautiful 1940s or 1950s French Renaissance revival bracelet in dark goldtone metal with ornate repousse elements with fine dark enameling, and red and black opaque poured glass stones. Marked MADE IN FRANCE. In the style of Chanel jewelry of the period. With large ornate box slide clasp. I am also listing the matching necklace. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Pre 1960 item #1255296
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Beautiful classic 1950s Francisco Rebajes copper link bracelet with stylized hearts in dark copper backed with silvertone metal. Marked REBAJES. Box slide clasp. The links are curved to conform to the wrist. 1 5/8 inches wide and 7 inches wearable length. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #743230
modemodern
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Early Elsa Schiaparelli bib necklace in goldtone metal with glass drops in a classic French color combination of red, blue, green, and topaz. Circa 1940. Marked SCHIAPARELLI in script. With a hook clasp and rope twist extender chains. The metal elements are decorated with delicate engraved designs. Wearable length is 17 inches. 1 1/8 inches wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #1368948
modemodern
$195.00
Gorgeous vintage 1940s or 1950s French five strand bracelet with glittering pink faceted glass bezel set open back unfoiled pointed back stones and glass based faux baroque pearls mounted in goldtone metal with an early oversized spring ring clasp with a thumb collar rather than a tab. Excellent condition with two small losses to two pearls, pictured but not noticeable when worn. Slight wear to the goldtone finish at the clasp is also pictured but again not noticeable when worn...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #1166354
modemodern
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Amazing huge vintage signed Ledo bracelet in rhodium plated metal with pave large and small brilliant strass rhinestones in an Art Deco design. Marked LEDO. This is the mark of the Polcini jewelry company, founded in New York in 1911. The Ledo mark dates from the late 1940s. With slide clasp and safety chain. Great size -- 1 3/4 inches wide and 7 inches wearable length. Excellent condition. All stones are bright and much better than the photos. Display form is life size...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763957
modemodern
SOLD
Beautiful glowing marbled tequila sunrise bangle in the popular rope pattern. The color is much better than the photos. Circa 1940. Tests positive for Bakelite. Guaranteed vintage and original. From a collection. Standard 2 1/2 inches inside diameter, 1/2 inch wide, and 3/8 inch thick. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #796550
modemodern
$245.00
Fabulous very unusual vintage copper cuff with inset navy blue leather. From a Philadelphia estate that had a large quantity of Arts & Crafts and Art Deco jewelry. Circa 1940. 1 1/2 inches wide and 7 1/2 inches inside diameter including the gap, which is 1 3/8 inches. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763950
modemodern
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Stunning deeply carved bangle in cherry red. Circa 1940. Tests positive for Bakelite. Guaranteed vintage and original. From a collection. Standard 2 1/2 inches inside diameter, 7/8 inch wide, and 3/8 inch thick. Excellent condition. It is a bit dusty; I have brushed it but have not cleaned it further so as not to disturb the oxidized finish. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1950 item #1119447
modemodern
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Beautiful vintage necklace of large round beads made from genuine natural translucent cherry amber. Probably circa 1930. Hand knotted with the original pale pink silk cord. Guaranteed genuine vintage amber. Three of the beads have small inclusions but most of the beads are clear, which is considered very desirable. The color is dark reddish brown under white photo lights. Under yellow incandescent light it is a warmer more red color. The beads have a beautifully aged patinated finish...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763947
modemodern
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Fabulous vintage Bakelite bangle with very complex carving. Cherry vanilla marbled, with pierced decoration around the edges. Tests positive for Bakelite. Guaranteed vintage and original. From a collection. Standard 2 1/2 inches inside diameter, 1 inch wide, and 7/16 inch thick. Excellent condition. It is a bit dusty; I have brushed it but have not cleaned it further so as not to disturb the oxidized finish. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #790686
modemodern
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Early vintage Mexico sterling bracelet with fabulous graphic impact. Circa 1940, made before the eagle assay mark was introduced in 1948. Marked R. RIVERA, 925 SILVER, and TAXCO in a cartouche. These marks are listed on page 56 of "The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks" by Bille Hougart. Classic sinuous feather form design with decorative oxidized detail in the recessed areas. It weighs 51 grams. With slide clasp and safety chain...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #748511
modemodern
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Stunning vintage three stranded glass beaded French necklace with pink, blue, green, pale yellow, lavender, and colorless poured glass beads. 1940s. The beads are hung from fine brass chains. Beautifully designed; the beads alternate between plain head pins, glass based faux pearl ends, and tiny prong set colorless rhinestone ends. With a hook clasp and extender chain with matching beads. Very modern and wearable with its casual and densely draped design...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #1022035
modemodern
SOLD
Stunning rare true black Bakelite clamper with a carved bow in the center, accented with engraved brass decoration. Tests positive for Bakelite and true black in that it has not oxidized to black from another color. Circa 1940. Guaranteed vintage and original. 1 1/4 inches wide at center, 6 3/8 inches inside circumference and inside diameters are 2 7/16 and 1 3/4 inches. Excellent condition. Spring is tight. Photos enlarged to show detail. Display form is lifesize.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Designer Signed : Pre 1950 item #845696
modemodern
SOLD
A lovely sterling necklace with an asymmetrical centerpiece with an amazing and huge blue glass openback and unfoiled stone. Marked OTIS STERLING. Circa 1940. With brilliant paste rhinestones. The color of the blue stone is more intense than the photos depict. A classic collectible Art Deco piece, and currently perfectly of the moment as well...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #691924
modemodern
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Beautiful baroque style sterling necklace with a very large brilliant synthetic color changing alexandrite stone as a centerpiece. Marked NESTOR 925 and STERLING MEXICO. 1940s, without an eagle mark...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #1318841
modemodern
$145.00
Gorgeous big statement vintage 1940s French wired necklace with very big faceted yellow topaz glass beads, ornate French filigree beads, and snake chains, with a matching link chain section at the back. Great on its own or layer with other similar sautoirs. 32 inches wearable length and 3/4 inch or 20mm at the beads. Excellent condition with some slight flea bites to some beads, not noticeable at a short distance. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763943
modemodern
SOLD
Fabulous group of very similarly carved tube shaped Bakelite bangles, two in slightly different greens, one in rust, and one in milk chocolate. Circa 1940. All test positive for Bakelite. Guaranteed vintage and original. All are from the same collection. They make a stunning statement worn together. All are standard 2 1/2 inches inside diameter, 3/8 inch wide and 3/8 inch thick. All are in excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Period : Pre 1950 item #769696
modemodern
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Beautiful silver filigree bracelet with 8 panels each featuring a different figure in carved and painted bone. Marked CHINA, circa 1930. With a slide clasp. It tests positive for at least 900 silver. Substantial at 49 grams and with excellent detail. Great size -- 1 1/4 inches wide and 7 1/8 inches long clasped. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #1288550
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Gorgeous large signed Joseff brooch in Victorian Celtic style with brilliant openback unfoiled faceted glass stones in bezel settings. Marked JOSEFF. Circa 1940. Joseff jewelry was designed and made for costuming in top Hollywood movies in the 30s through the 60s, and also sold to consumers in exclusive stores such as Nieman Marcus. A key signature of Joseff jewelry was the matte metal finish which was intended to reduce glare under studio lights during filming, and was used in the r...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #744439
modemodern
SOLD
This beautiful necklace is pictured on page 137 of "Miriam Haskell Jewelry" by Cathy Gordon and Sheila Pamfiloff. It has seven clusters of genuine red coral spezzati, turquoise glass beads, and brass bell shaped caps, attached to a brass braided chain, with a spring ring clasp and extender chain. Each cluster has a large turquoise bead at the top, and three turquoise beads at the bottom. The turquoise beads have painted detail simulating the matrix in turquoise stone. This piece i...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Designer Signed : Pre 1950 item #850066
modemodern
SOLD
Beautiful chic and modern signed Tiffany gold bracelet great to wear alone, layer, or use as a starter charm bracelet. Marked TIFFANY and 14K. Circa 1950. With slide clasp and safety catch. It weighs 18 grams. Wearable length is 7 1/4 inches. 1/4 inch wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #1262736
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Stunning vintage 1940s unsigned Miriam Haskell memory wire bracelet by early Haskell designer Frank Hess. Guaranteed Haskell Hess design, pictured on page 157 of "Miriam Haskell Jewelry" by Cathy Gordon and Sheila Pamfiloff. With slightly marbled opaque glass beads simulating salmon coral, strung on memory wire, with a center element with goldtone metal leaves set with tiny rhinestones. The center element is wired onto a clear plastic circle, per early Haskell construction documented in the book...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #691523
modemodern
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Fabulous and iconic vintage Mexican silver feather or leaf form clamper by Alfredo Villasana. Early 1940s, pre eagle mark. Marked with the conjoined AV for Villasana, TAXCO, HECHO EN MEXICO, and STERLING 925. Substantial at 78 grams/2.7 ounces. A stunning collectible piece.

Great size -- 3 1/4 inches wide at center front and 6 1/2 inches inside circumference. Excellent condition. There is oxidation on the hinge on the inside only; this does not show when the piece is worn. Photos enlarged to ...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Rhinestone : Pre 1950 item #707849
modemodern
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Fabulous vintage glass beaded necklace with color changing alexandrite lead crystal glass beads and tiny clear glass spacer beads. Circa 1940. With a beautiful geometric Art Deco pave diamante slide clasp in silvertone metal. From a Baltimore estate and I also have listed several 1940s signed pins and clips from this same estate. The color is a pinkish lavender in natural light, and a pale aqua in white artificial light. Both colors are more intense than the photos depict.

Wearab...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #691379
modemodern
SOLD
Outstanding vintage signed Los Castillo heavy sterling bracelet with a repousse foliate motif. 1940s, pre-eagle mark. Marked LOS CASTILLO TAXCO, STERLING MADE IN MEXICO, and with design number 116. Very substantial at 94 grams/3.3 ounces. With a hook closure and safety chain.

Great size -- 1 3/4 inches wide and 7 1/2 inches long. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #743229
modemodern
SOLD
Fabulous French Art Deco beaded rope necklace with beads made of glass, glass based faux pearls, antiqued brass, carved stone, and composition or celluloid. Circa 1930 or 1940. From the estate of a serious glass collector. I've owned many of these necklaces, in rope and bib form. All the beads are wired on brass wire. Continuous strand, 18 inches wearable length. The largest beads are over 20 mm long. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #1207639
modemodern
SOLD
Vintage long necklace of graduated Gripoix poured glass beads in green and purple, wired with dark goldtone metal, with ornate filigree caps, and cylindrical stamped dark goldtone metal beads, with a screw barrel clasp, circa 1940. Marked MADE IN FRANCE. 37 1/4 inches wearable length. The largest center bead is just under 3/4 inch wide or 17mm. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1950 item #1178253
modemodern
SOLD
Fabulous vintage very long necklace of carved round creamy white or celadon jade beads graduating from 8 mm to 13 mm at the center. With original silver screw clasp. Circa 1940. Possibly Chinese. The beads have a slightly matte finish. Very weighty at 198 grams. It has been professionally restrung on very fine silvertone fabric covered soft flexible wire. 48 inches long and 1/2 inch wide at center bead. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail. ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Ethnic : Far Eastern : Pre 1950 item #1207445
modemodern
SOLD
Beautiful vintage circa 1940 Chinese export drop screwback earrings in gilt/gold washed silver filigree, with blue enameling and genuine carnelian cabochons. Not marked. 2 1/4 inches long and 5/8 inch wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1950 item #1316686
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Beautiful vintage 1940s wired necklace, probably Chinese export, with carved stone beads alternating with clear faceted beads that are either glass or rock crystal. The carved stone beads include amethyst, what looks like one celadon jade bead, serpentine, carnelian, rose quartz, what looks like lapis or sodalite, and a large pale green bead that looks like flourite or some other quartz. There are also smooth beads in various hardstones and in turquoise. Continuous strand (no clasp) wired in dar...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #1262740
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Rare early vintage Joseff of Hollywood heavy double chain Byzantine or Etruscan revival ornate necklace in dark antiqued goldtone metal with hook clasp. 1940s. Marked JOSEFF HOLLYWOOD. Joseff jewelry was designed and made for costuming in top Hollywood movies in the 30s through the 60s, and also sold to consumers in exclusive stores such as Nieman Marcus. A key signature of Joseff jewelry was the matte metal finish which was intended to reduce glare under studio lights during filming, and was us...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763946
modemodern
SOLD
Incredible very dimensional carved bangle with rose, leaf, and floral motifs. The floral motifs have "worm" style carving around the center flowers. Circa 1935. Tests positive for Bakelite. Guaranteed vintage and original. Standard 2 1/2 inches inside diameter, 15/16 inch wide, and 7/16 inch thick. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #1207616
modemodern
$275.00
Very unusual vintage sautoir necklace in dark goldtone metal with very large double sided green glass faceted glass stones in bezel settings. Circa 1950 or possibly earlier. 55 inches wearable length. The green stone stations are 7/8 inch long and 5/8 inch wide. Excellent condition with some slight losses on the edges and points of a few stones. This is pictured but not noticeable when worn. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763959
modemodern
SOLD
Not sure if raisin is an "official" Bakelite color name, but it best describes the unusual rich deep brown with purple undertones color of this hinged bangle. Circa 1940. Tests positive for Bakelite. Guaranteed vintage and original. From a collection. With excellent very deep carving in a roses and leaves motif. Excellent condition. The hinge is tight. It is a bit dusty; I have brushed it but have not cleaned it further so as not to disturb the oxidized finish. Photos 1 1/8 inches ...