modemodern vintage and antique jewelry accessories and decorative arts
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #790686
modemodern
SOLD
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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : Silver : Designer Signed : Pre 1950 item #845696
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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. 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 access...
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 : Gold : Deco : Pre 1950 item #850068
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Beautiful matched pair of white gold eternity rings, one ruby and one sapphire. Both have square cut stones mounted in 14KT white gold. The gold tests positive for 14K with jeweler's acid. Both are from the same estate. The stones on both are just under 2 millimeters square. Together they weigh 3 grams. Both are ring size 6 1/4 and are 2 mm wide. Excellent condition. A few of the ruby stones have very slight edge abrasion and one has a tiny flea bite; nothing is visible without a ...
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 : Rhinestone : Pre 1950 item #1043866
modemodern
$545.00
Fabulous articulated bracelet in silvertone rhodium plated white metal / pot metal with large and small square emerald cut invisibly set blue openback unfoiled glass stones and tiny colorless strass stones. Examples of this type of French bracelet are pictured in "European Designer Jewelry" by Ginger Moro. Slide clasp with safety chain. Wearable length is 7 1/2 inches. 5/8 inch wide. Excellent condition. Some colorless stones are dark but all are better than the photos depict. Some s...
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 : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1950 item #1063926
modemodern
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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 : 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 : 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. Some wear to gold wash on ...
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. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged ...
All Items : Popular Collectibles : Nostalgia : Fashion : Accessories : Pre 1950 item #1169063
modemodern
$195.00
Glittering black glass microbeaded box bag with a tortoise Lucite top and dark brass hardware, and heavy black glass beaded handle. Black satin lining and snap close. 1940s. These bags are fabulous headturners. 7 1/2 inches wide, 5 inches long and 3 1/2 inches deep. The handle drop is 5 1/2 inches. Overall excellent condition. No losses to beaded exterior. There is a very very faint hairline in the Lucite at the clasp, not visible at a short distance. There is black discoloration inside,...
All Items : Popular Collectibles : Nostalgia : Fashion : Accessories : Pre 1950 item #1177152
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Fabulous large vintage 1940s gathered pochette or wristlet bag beaded in brilliant glittering bronze coppery glass micro beads, with a soft flexible beaded strap which pulls through a large loop to close. The beads are very high quality and are cut on every side. With matching peach color silk lining. Exterior is in excellent with no losses to beading. The lining has some slight losses as shown. 7 1/2 inches long, 7 1/2 inches wide and 2 inches deep. The strap drop is 4 1/2 inches. D...
All Items : Popular Collectibles : Nostalgia : Fashion : Accessories : Pre 1950 item #1177155
modemodern
$145.00
Big statement making fabulous vintage 1940s round box bag beaded in brilliant glittering iridescent peacock blue vitrail glass micro beads, with a soft flexible beaded strap. The beads are very high quality and are cut on every side. The beading is softly ruched or gathered around the sides of the bag. The top lifts off and has a mirror inside. With fabric Saks Fifth Avenue label sewn on the black grosgrain fabric lining. Excellent condition with no losses to beading. The mirror is ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1950 item #1178253
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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
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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 #1207448
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SOLD
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 : 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 : 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 : 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 : Vintage Arts : Regional Art : Asian : Chinese : Jewelry : Pre 1950 item #1244261
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Vintage circa 1940 Chinese export big necklace with an amazing variety of antique and vintage Chinese beads, including a carved cinnabar lacquer center bead, a kingfisher enamel bead, large coral beads, carved early stone beads, malachite, quartz, tiger eye, turquoise, and agate beads, cloisonne beads, carved bone beads, a very large lampworked glass bead, metal beads, a butterscotch amber or copal bead, and a very large wood bead inlaid with silver dots. Also with small red glass sp...
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 #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 : 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 : 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. Excellent condition with some miniscule...
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 : 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 #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 : 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. Display form is ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Period : Pre 1940 item #696169
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Stunning vintage hinged bangle in openwork silver, with an angelskin coral carved rose surrounded by turquoise cabochons. The silver is worked in beautiful dimensional flower and foliate designs. Marked CHINA, and STERLING. Circa 1930. With a slide clasp and safety chain. The silver has a dark aged finish and appears to have a gold wash. The color of the coral is warmer and brighter than the photos depict. A rare Chinese piece, outstanding and very wearable.

Great size -- 1 3/4 inches wide ...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Deco : Pre 1940 item #697976
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Beautiful sterling articulated necklace with many glittering crystal round and baguette stones and a pendant with a huge brilliant peridot green glass openback and unfoiled stone. Marked OTIS STERLING. Circa 1940. Substantial at 49 grams. The green color is much more intense than the photos depict.

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...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Deco : Pre 1940 item #697979
modemodern
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A fabulous fringed necklace, wearable for day or night, in sterling silver with very big glittering purple openback and unfoiled glass stones in prong settings. Circa 1935. The clasp is marked STERLING and the other elements test positive for sterling. The color is much more intense and slightly warmer than the photos depict. Huge stones, statement necklaces, and the color purple are all very significant current fashion trends. Also perfectly of the moment because it is a classic Art Deco p...