modemodern vintage and antique jewelry accessories and decorative arts
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1950 item #1132649
modemodern
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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
modemodern
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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
modemodern
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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 : 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 : Mexican : Pre 1960 item #691073
modemodern
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A stunning, very big and weighty vintage Mexican silver cuff by Margot Van Voorhies Carr, or Margot de Taxco. 1940s or 1950s. Marked MARGOT DE TAXCO, STERLING MADE IN MEXICO, with eagle #16, and design number 5291. With her signature swan motif in a very stylized form. Very substantial at 75 grams/2.6 ounces. A fabulous piece from the estate of a serious Baltimore collector.

Great size -- 2 inches wide by 7 inches inside circumference, including the gap, which is 1 inch. Overall excelle...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Modernism : Pre 1960 item #691485
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Vintage sterling articulated necklace with a detachable matching pendant with cabochon cut genuine amethyst stones. Circa 1955. A studio piece, not marked or signed but tests positive for sterling silver. With a hook clasp. The color of the stones is a bit warmer than the photos depict. Very versatile and wearable and an excellent length.

The necklace is 17 inches long clasped by 1/2 inch wide. The length can be adjusted by hooking anywhere along the necklace links. The pendant is 3 1/2 i...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1960 item #691914
modemodern
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Lovely vintage silver enameled link necklace by Margot Van Voorhies Carr. 1950s. Marked MARGOT DE TAXCO, STERLING MEXICO, with eagle number 16, and with design number 5614. A signature Margot enameling technique, with leaf forms enameled in translucent green and small circular shapes in opaque white with tiny black speckles. Photos do not capture the fine detail of the enameling. Slide clasp. Fresh and beautiful and very wearable.

Wearable length is 16 inches. 1/2 inch wide. Excellent cond...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #710133
modemodern
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Excellent vintage flower form fur clip with brilliant smoke gray stones in gunmetal japanned metal settings, with a very large faux pearl trembler in the center of the flower. French, marked DEPOSE, and a possible Roger Jean Pierre piece.

Great size -- 4 inches long and just under 2 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches deep. Very good to excellent condition. There is a slight amount of yellowed glue residue on the front right side, and a tiny dark spot on the faux pearl, however these are no...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #710138
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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 : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #710142
modemodern
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Stunning vintage necklace strung with dozens of rondelles with brilliant colorless stones. With an asymmetric buckle motif and a slide clasp with pave stones. There are four strands strung with alternating rondelles and round beads; The two outer strands are brass or goldtone base metal and the two inner strands are silvertone base metal, creating a fabulous and versatile gold and silver effect. This piece is most likely French, circa 1950. The metal at the clasp is goldtone.

1 1/...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #715187
modemodern
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Fabulous vintage necklace in gunmetal gray with brilliant openbacked topaz crystal stones. Circa 1950, French. A possible Roger Jean-Pierre piece based on the design, the stones and metal, and the construction. With a lacy leaf and branch motif. Also with a slide clasp with a very large matching stone. Articulated to drape smoothly and comfortably, with the side sections encircling the neck and the center section dropping right at the collarbone. (It is not draping properly on my neckl...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #748499
modemodern
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Stunning vintage French fringed bib necklace with a very complex construction. 1940s or 1950s. Marked FRANCE. With glass beads simulating turquoise suspended from brass chains, and framed by layers of petal form brass elements. With a slide clasp and safety chain. Extremely wearable for day or evening and fabulous with white or black. Wearable any time of the year but especially perfect for resort and spring. Wearable length is 16 inches and it drops 3 inches in the center. Excell...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Period : Pre 1960 item #753276
modemodern
$1195.00
Stunning and very big vintage gold and genuine angelskin coral ring with 10 diamonds. Circa 1950. Marked 14K and also with a maker's mark which I cannot interpret. Substantial at 12 grams. The diamonds are about .03 carat each and are set in white gold or platinum. The coral is 16 mm in diameter. With a great asymmetrical design and excellent rope form motif. Statement jewelry is a very significant current fashion trend. Photos do not capture this fabulous piece. Ring size 6. The ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #837276
modemodern
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Stunning matched pair of spring hinged cuffs in celluloid or other plastic, with heavy thick applied silvertone cast metal elements with oblong curved green Lucite stones, and tiny pave colorless rhinestones. Circa 1950. From the estate of a New York socialite who had a huge quantity of Chanel and other French jewelry, as well as American designer jewelry. They are weighty and substantial. The decorative elements are mounted on the bracelets with pins inserted into drilled holes.The...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #837277
modemodern
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Beautiful French rope necklace in the style of Chanel; possibly an early unsigned Chanel. Circa 1960. With large Gripoix poured glass beads, glass based faux pearls, rhinestone rondelles, and distinctive fluted goldtone metal beads which I have had on two other confirmed French pieces. The chain elements are also French. The green beads are 17 mm long, the red beads are 21 mm long, and the blue beads and pearls are 10 mm in diameter. 44 inches long and 5/8 inch wide. Excellent condi...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1960 item #1022038
modemodern
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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 : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #1022039
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Huge statement size Bakelite bangle in yellow (originally probably a cream color and now oxidized and aged) with a Maltese cross in goldtone metal with green Gripoix glass cabochons and small colorless strass stones. Stones are prong set. The cross is attached to the bracelet with rivets. Tests positive for Bakelite. Examples of this piece are generally considered to be early unsigned Chanels. Circa 1950. Great size -- 2 1/8 inches wide at center, 5/8 inch deep, and 2 1/2 inches ins...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1960 item #1037194
modemodern
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Fabulous French necklace in dark goldtone metal with five swagged chains suspending a quatrefoil element with fired enameling in green, red, black, and white, and a long tasselled pendant. The clasp has matching enameling. The quatrefoil and the clasp are made from French filigree elements. The clasp hooks on both sides and can be opened from either side. Circa 1950. Many French makers, including Chanel, have used this necklace design. Wearable length is 17 1/2 inches. The drop is 7 i...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1960 item #1063923
modemodern
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Fabulous vintage necklace with thirteen glowing "dragon's breath" glass cabochons simulating fire opals, in baroque, deeply worked settings. Marked STERLING, TAXCO, EMMA, and numbered 279. This is the mark of Emma Melendez of Taxco, active 1953-1971. Slide clasp. 16 inches wearable length and 7/8 inch wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail. Display form is life size.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1960 item #1090424
modemodern
SOLD
Beautiful unusual French sautoir necklace with large dark violet blue and white translucent glass beads, opaque molded glass beads simulating carved lapis, small brilliant faceted blue and lavender purple glass beads, and large ornate stamped goldtone metal beads, all wired in dark goldtone metal. Spring ring clasp. 55 inches long and 5/8 inch wide at the metal beads. Excellent condition. One metal bead has some loss to the finish; pictured but not noticeable when worn. Photos enlarg...