modemodern vintage and antique jewelry accessories and decorative arts
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1980 item #1229218
modemodern
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Beautiful huge statement signed YSL necklace in antiqued goldtone with three tiers of chains with large Byzantine style coin form drops of varying sizes and designs. 1970s. Some of the coins are two sided. Marked YSL on the attached metal tag, and also marked YSL on the S shaped hook close. Wearable length is 18 1/4 inches (inside strand) and center drops 8 inches. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1980 item #946455
modemodern
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Stunning vintage necklace in YSL's signature bohemian chic style, with seamless black Lucite beads, goldtone metal beads and drops, and black silk tassels, all strung on a fine metal chain in typical French construction. Circa 1970 or 1980. Marked YSL on the attached hang tag. Wearable length is 16 1/2 inches and it drops 3 1/2 inches in the center. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail. Necklace form is life size.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1980 item #717663
modemodern
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Outstanding vintage necklace in heavy gunmetal gray chain links with quatrefoil shaped elements which are made of translucent tortoise Bakelite. This piece can also be worn as a belt. Marked YSL on an attached metal tag. 1970s. The quatrefoil form is of course a classic medieval and Moorish motif and is here translated into a stunning modern look. Very wearable and versatile -- there is a hook at each end, allowing it to be arranged in many lengths and configurations...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1980 item #1305344
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Very big vintage Santo Domingo Native American necklace with slightly graduated carved free form turquoise tab beads with traditional silver cone terminals, and hook and eye clasp. 1970s or earlier. The color is amazing, variegated and with great depth. Strung on fine monofilament. It weighs 204 grams. 24 1/4 inches wearable length and 1 1/4 inches wide at center. The center is about 33mm wide. Excellent condition. There are three beads with losses, pictured in last image...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Ethnic : Native American : Pre 1980 item #1301136
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Gorgeous big statement vintage 1970s or earlier Santo Domingo Native American necklace with large graduated turquoise nuggets spaced with small shell heishe beads, and with heishe beads at the ends, and with small silver wire hook clasp. It weighs 191 grams. 25 inches wearable length and the largest bead is 1 3/8 inches wide. Excellent condition with some discoloration of the turquoise stabilizing material on a few beads toward the ends, not noticeable at a short distance...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1960 item #1318844
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Fabulous lush vintage circa 1940 or 1950 red coral necklace, natural and undyed, in graduated very large branches, with a dark silver spring ring clasp. It weighs 92 grams. 23 inches wearable length and 1 inch wide at center. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1970 item #1123702
modemodern
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Fabulous heavy vintage coral necklace of graduated barrel shaped beads in soft pink and salmon colors, warmer than the photos show. Circa 1960 or 1970. The coral is natural and undyed. Great to wear alone or to layer with other similar necklaces. It has been professionally restrung on a fine flexible gold finished wire, with a new gold filled filigree clasp. Substantial at 75 grams. Wearable length is 24 inches. Just under 5/8 inch wide at center...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1950 item #1298457
modemodern
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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 : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1980 item #657100
modemodern
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A beautiful heavy bib necklace in matte goldtone, with outstanding very dimensional drops in modern geometric shapes. 1970s. Very dramatic and bold.

Wearable length is 19 inches. The longest drop is 4 1/2 inches long. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.

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...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1920 item #1305346
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Stunning antique circa 1900 Victorian or Edwardian draped bib necklace with six strands of natural untreated undyed salmon angel skin coral beads with low karat gold stations set with tiny half pearls, and a low karat gold pin slide clasp. The mountings test positive for low karat gold, possibly 9K or lower. It has been professionally restrung on very fine soft flex wire. The new end pieces at the clasp are gold filled. It weighs 72 grams. The beads are 4mm to 4.5mm. Wearable length is 15 to 15 ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Victorian : Pre 1900 item #732342
modemodern
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Wide antique hinged bangle in genuine tortoise shell, with gold mountings and a gold slide clasp. Late 19th century. Not marked but the metal tests positive for 14KT gold with jeweler's acid.

1 1/4 inches wide by 1/4 inch thick and 6 inches inside circumference. Very good condition. Clasp is tight. There are two very small outside chips at the hinge and a scratch inside one side. These do not show when the piece is worn. Photos enlarged to show detail.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Arts and Crafts : Pre 1900 item #864635
modemodern
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Beautiful distinctive antique gold ring with two luminous globe shaped moonstones. The ring has Etruscan style wirework and an unusual oval shape. Not marked but tests positive for 14KT gold with jeweler's acid. Late 19th century. It weighs 2 grams. Each moonstone is 5 millimeters. The top is 1/2 inch long. Ring size 4. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Victorian : Pre 1900 item #864651
modemodern
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Spectacular and big antique bracelet made from pink coral beads and matching flower form carved coral elements, centered by an amazing full length carved coral three dimensional cherub or putto, all wired on a gold frame. Circa 1850. The center element and the clasp element are hinged to the sides. With a slide clasp with a carved coral cabochon. The color is warmer than the photos depict.

Great size -- 1 1/2 inches wide at center and with a wearable length of 6 7/8 inches. Excel...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1900 item #1277842
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Stunning antique Victorian gold mounted banded agate bead necklace with matching oval drop. Mid to late 19th century. The original metal mounting and spring ring clasp with jump ring test positive for 14KT gold with jeweler's acid. The necklace has been professionally restrung with soft golden brown silk thread with decorative hand knotting between the beads. 17 1/4 inches wearable length. The pendant is 1 3/4 inches long. The largest beads at either side of the pendant are 15mm each...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Victorian : Pre 1900 item #732341
modemodern
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Fabulous antique 14KT gold mounted earrings with exceptionally detailed and executed Neoclassical shell cameos set in Etruscan revival wiretwist frames. With shepherd's hook backs. Circa 1860. The metal tests positive for 14KT gold with jeweler's acid. Together they weigh 8 grams. Extremely wearable, in excellent condition. 1 3/8 inches long and 7/8 inch wide. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre Victorian : Pre 1837 VR item #866692
modemodern
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A fabulous and huge antique 14KT yellow gold ring with pearls and dark blue translucent enameling. Georgian, circa 1800. Not marked but tests positive for 14KT gold with jeweler's acid. With three 4 mm diameter pearls in the center, and 34 pearls around the frame, each 2 mm in diameter. With engraved flower form detail on each side and with matching dark blue enamel in the engraved areas. Heavy and substantial at 15 grams. An outstanding and very wearable cocktail size antique ring....
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1950 item #763946
modemodern
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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 : Silver : Arts and Crafts : Pre 1920 item #1356510
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Amazing very big antique circa 1910 leaf form brooch in sterling silver with a large egg yolk butterscotch Baltic amber stone in a bezel setting. With a C clasp. Not marked but tests positive for sterling silver. Fabulous Arts & Crafts design with a beautiful dimensional textured hammered finish. Substantial at 51 grams. Great size -- 3 7/8 inches long by 2 3/4 inches wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #710138
modemodern
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Very large vintage brooch in the form of an articulated fish, with brilliant crystal colorless stones and red stones as eyes. Marked FRANCE. C. 1950 or 1960; possibly a Roger Jean Pierre piece. All stones are prong set. With a French trombone clasp. The metal is silvertone.

Great size -- 5 1/4 inches long and just under 2 inches wide. Excellent condition. All stones are bright. There is a tiny darkened area at each tip of the tail but this is not noticeable at a short distance. Pho...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Deco : Pre 1930 item #697139
modemodern
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A beautiful and early vintage sterling brooch in the form of a turtle, with a huge cut glass center stone, clear paste stones, and red glass stones as eyes. Circa 1920. Not marked but tests positive for sterling silver. Possibly French.

A classic collectible Art Deco piece, and currently perfectly of the moment as well. The fashion world is in the midst of a major Art Deco revival, with top houses such as Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, and Gucci showing jewelry and accessories with a glamorous graphi...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1980 item #1249184
modemodern
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Great statement vintage 1970s Trifari heavy chunky chain necklace with very big enameled pendant in the form of a Chinese junk sailboat. Great Chinoiserie motif. Marked TRIFARI. 30 inches wearable length and the pendant drops 4 inches with bail. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1970 item #725585
modemodern
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Vintage bib necklace and matching clip earrings with exceptional and very large inverted unfoiled openbacked glass stones in an intense blue green with hints of purple. Circa 1960. An unsigned Schreiner piece. Many Schreiner pieces were made for designers such as Christian Dior, Norman Norell, Pauline Trigere, and others, and were unsigned because they were made to be shown or sold as accessories to the designer's couture clothing collection. Signed Schreiner pieces were made to ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1970 item #725594
modemodern
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Stunning, dramatic, and big vintage bib or collar necklace in Egyptian revival style. Circa 1960. An unsigned Schreiner piece. Many Schreiner pieces were made for designers such as Christian Dior, Norman Norell, Pauline Trigere, and others, and were unsigned because they were made to be shown or sold as accessories to the designer's couture clothing collection. Signed Schreiner pieces were made to be sold individually in stores. The dogtooth prongs on the large stones, the crimped ba...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #818298
modemodern
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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 : 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 : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #744439
modemodern
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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...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1950 item #818308
modemodern
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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 : Designer : Pre 1980 item #1022482
modemodern
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Very glam necklace with gunmetal gray glass beaded strands and with a black Lucite pendant with brilliant colorless Swarovski stones and enameled decoration, in an Art Deco revival style. The glass beaded strands are caught in matching black Lucite end stations, and the hook catch and extender chains are silvertone metal. Late 1970s or early 1980s. Marked U. CORREANI and MADE IN ITALY. By the late Italian designer Ugo Correani, who had his own label beginning in the 1970s, and also designed ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1960 item #1141265
modemodern
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Two matching sumptuously long necklaces of unusual chain which is made of dark brass tone French filigree balls enclosing a "lamp cord" type of linked chain. The clasps are two different metals. Circa 1940s or possibly later. Each is 60 inches long and 1/4 inch or 5mm wide. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1970 item #716495
modemodern
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Very glam vintage fired enamel hinged bangle in turquoise with matching big opaque glass stones simulating Persian turquoise, and with textured metal decorative elements. Marked ORIGINAL BY ROBERT in palette shaped cartouche. 1960s. Always a classic, enameled jewelry is a top trend this year.

Just under 3/4 inch wide and 7 inches inside circumference. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1970 item #948650
modemodern
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Stunning articulated collar necklace in goldtone metal scale shaped elements which have a tiny cross hatched textured pattern, and small slightly smoke colored rhinestones. With a slide clasp. Circa 1960 or 1970. Substantial and weighty but flexible and drapes nicely. Perfectly on trend with the glam, edgy look of the metals, chains, and studs which are all over the runways and fashion magazines. 2 inches wide and 15 1/4 inches inside circumference. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1970 item #691057
modemodern
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Beautiful dimensional vintage pendant with a pale chartreuse adamite crystal stone, on a goldtone neckring. Circa 1960. The pendant is made of metal with a crackled gold finish, and is signed with a signature which I am not able to identify. A very distinctive modernist piece which is totally on trend. Crystal, agate, and geode stones in natural forms are being featured in many current jewelry collections this year.

The pendant is 2 1/2 inches long by 1 3/4 inches wide and 1 inch deep. ...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1970 item #680378
modemodern
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An amazing and rare saphiret glass demi parure consisting of a necklace and matching clip back earrings. Marked KRAMER OF NY. Circa 1960. An outstanding find from a Philadelphia estate. Saphiret glass is a unique color changing art glass which was originally developed by the Victorians and was used off and on throughout the 20th century. It is currently enjoying a huge surge in popularity and collectibility.

The earrings are marked KRAMER OF NY. All stones are prong set. The metal is goldto...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Period : Pre 1930 item #696536
modemodern
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A fabulous vintage Chinese sterling bracelet with large jade cabochons and beautifully detailed figural decorations executed in a layered shadowbox technique, with an openwork panel over a backing panel. Each of the four figures are different. Marked MADE IN CHINA in a diamond shaped cartouche, with an illegible word before the word China. Tests positive for sterling silver. Circa 1900 - 1930. Very substantial at 3.1 ounces/88 grams and drapes beautifully because of its weight. With a slide...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1960 item #1123946
modemodern
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Luminous vintage aqua teal textured glass beaded clip earrings with all beads wired in dark brass and hanging from matching fine chains. French, 1950s or 1960s. Each earring has the same number of beads at the top and in the drops. 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.