modemodern vintage and antique jewelry accessories and decorative arts
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763943
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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 : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #637422
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Outstanding vintage Art Deco/Retro Moderne horse form figural brooch in ebonized carved wood with inlaid silver detail. Circa 1945. Unsigned, most likely by Elzac Inc., which produced jewelry from materials such as ceramic, Lucite, fur, feathers, cloth, and wood during World War II when other materials were in short supply.

With an embedded pin back and with silver decoration, including beads around the collar and along the mane, and thin wires above and below the beads around the collar...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #743230
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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 : Strands : Pre 1950 item #1132649
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Sumptuous vintage necklace with two strands of graduated oxblood red undyed Mediterranean coral spezzati, or branches, with a gold washed silver clasp. The color is a true red and darker than the photos depict. Best representation of color are the photos on light background. Circa 1940. The clasp is not marked but tests positive for at least 900 silver. 18 1/2 inches wearable length on the inside strand. It drops 3 1/2 inches in the center. Excellent condition...
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 : 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...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Ethnic : Far Eastern : Pre 1950 item #1207445
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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 : Pre 1950 item #1298457
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Lovely vintage 1930s or 1940s genuine butterscotch egg yolk honey amber necklace with graduated oval beads and silvertone spring ring clasp. All the beads are about half opaque and half translucent. Professionally restrung on silk cord. The clasp has an early collar opening, without the thumb tab. It weighs 24.5 grams. Guaranteed genuine amber. Wearable length is 19 1/2 inches. The largest center bead is 18mm by 7mm. The smallest end beads are 10mm by 7mm...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #691523
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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...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1950 item #1207448
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Stunning statement vintage 16 strand necklace of undyed natural Mediterranean salmon to red coral beads, with a large goldtone metal sliding element with cannetille wirework, and a matching goldtone metal hook clasp. Circa 1940. 17 1/2 inches long and about 1 inch wide. It weighs 126 grams. The beads are about 1/8 inch wide or 5mm by 4mm. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #818308
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In the signature Chanel colors of red and green, and marked MADE IN FRANCE on the screw barrel clasp, this fabulous necklace is probably by Chanel. Circa 1940, in moghul style, with aged brass chains, large and small glass based faux pearls, red glass beads, and huge teardrop shaped green glass beads. 15 3/4 inches wearable length. The sides are 1 1/8 inches wide. The drop is 4 1/2 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763946
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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 : Designer : Pre 1950 item #1166354
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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...
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 : 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 : Silver : Modernism : Pre 1950 item #790710
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Chunky heavy early modernist ring with a large faceted genuine amethyst stone. With two tiny marks on the outside of the shank. One is 800 or 900 (I can't be sure which), for silver content, and the other is a tiny hallmark or maker's mark in a cartouche. Circa 1940. Most likely European, based on the silver content and the other mark. Very well worked, with deep parallel ridges, in a great Deco/modernist design. Heavy for its size at 20 grams. Ring size 6. The top is just over 3/4 ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #790686
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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. 1 3/8 inches wide and 7 3/8 inches...
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 : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1950 item #1305342
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Beautiful vintage genuine Baltic translucent honey amber necklace with graduated faceted beads. Guaranteed tested, genuine, untreated, natural Baltic amber. 1940s. It has been professionally restrung with new goldtone spring ring clasp. It weighs 46 grams. The largest center bead is 16mm and the smallest beads are 6mm. Wearable length is 31 inches. 5/8 inch wide at center. Excellent condition with some slight age related crazing that is typically found in these beads. Display form is life size....
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763947
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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 : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763959
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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 ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #748511
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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. Fresh and fabulous for ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Designer Signed : Pre 1950 item #850066
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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 : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #1022035
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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 : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #1207639
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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 : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1950 item #743229
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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 #1207575
modemodern
$175.00
Lovely necklace with black glass beads and groups of dark blue melon beads with pale blue ruffled beads, all wired in dark goldtone metal. Circa 1940, probably French. 58 inches wearable length. The large melon beads are 3/8 inch wide. Excellent condition. One of the small light blue flower form beads is missing a petal -- this is very hard to see and does not show when worn. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763950
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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 : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #818298
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Fabulous vintage bib necklace which is most likely a Frank Hess design for Miriam Haskell, from the 1930s or 1940s. With graduated sizes of beautiful solid glass dark blue beads in lily form, mounted on chains in a characteristic Hess for Haskell style, and with long dimensional brass leaves. The color is warmer than the photos depict. Slide clasp. 16 inches wearable length. The center drops 3 1/2 inches. 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 : Silver : Period : Pre 1950 item #769696
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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 : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763957
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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 : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #1063926
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Beautiful earrings in classic MATL style. By Matilde Poulat of Mexico City. Circa 1950. Marked MATL in script, 925, and MEXICO, and both earrings are marked with eagle 129, which is the correct number. The screwbacks, which are original, are marked ALPACA, which is of course a white metal alloy. With detailed baroque wirework, tiny turquoise cabochons with beautifully aged green color, and pyramidal amethysts. 1 1/2 inches long and just under 1 inch wide. Excellent condition. One ame...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #1063924
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Beautiful dimensional bracelet with repousse work in pre-Columbian style motifs. Circa 1940. Marked STERLING 925 TAXCO MEX and signed CP or OP. It weighs 51 grams. This piece and most of the other Mexican silver I have listed came from one long time collector's estate. 3 3/4 inches wide in front and with a wearable length (when the edges meet) of 6 1/2 inches. Overall excellent condition. The tips of the longest "fronds" have some very slight unevenness which is most likely from the ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1950 item #1119447
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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. 4...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #744439
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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...