modemodern vintage and antique jewelry accessories and decorative arts
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Mexican : Pre 1940 item #1063917
modemodern
SOLD
Vintage necklace with large openwork drops with incised decoration alternating with smaller drops with silver hemispheres. Circa 1935, with early pre-eagle marks. Marked E BARENA (the R, E, and N are obscured), TAXCO, MEX, and 925. This name is listed in "The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks" by Bille Hougart. This piece and most of the other Mexican silver I have listed came from one long time collector's estate. Substantial at 72 grams...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Deco : Pre 1940 item #850069
modemodern
SOLD
Beautiful Art Deco diamond and emerald ring in white gold. Circa 1930. Marked 14K. With a center square cut diamond of about 4 mm by 4 mm, or .40 carat, and ten other small round diamonds including four at 2 mm and six at 1 mm. With two emeralds of about 1 mm by just under 2 mm. It weighs 2 grams. Ring size 7. The top is 3/8 inch by 5/16 inch. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Designer : Pre 1940 item #748520
modemodern
SOLD
A possible early unsigned Chanel in black glass, brass and with a glass faux pearl in the center of the pendant, this piece is marked MADE IN FRANCE on the back of the pendant. Circa 1935. The pendant slides on the chain, which has oblong links and stations with black glass beads and filigree metal elements. The pendant has a large round black glass element with the faux pearl in the center, and faceted edges, set in a filigree frame...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Period : Pre 1940 item #992060
modemodern
SOLD
Lush vintage angelskin or salmon coral beaded necklace with a 14KT white gold engraved slide clasp. Circa 1930. Clasp is marked 14K. The color is warmer than the photos depict. The beads range in size from 6 mm to 3 mm. The shortest strand (wearable length) is 16 inches and the longest strand is 20 inches. The center drops about 2 1/2 inches. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail. Display form is lifesize.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1940 item #1260742
modemodern
Sold
Gorgeous vintage translucent cherry amber Bakelite necklace with large 15mm beads on a continuous strand. 1930s. Tests positive for Bakelite with Simichrome. 140 grams. Tiny inclusions here and there but mostly translucent. Glowing dark red color. Wearable length is 30 inches. Beads are 15mm or 9/16 inch wide. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Pre 1940 item #1123699
modemodern
SOLD
Beautiful early vintage Chinese apple jade beaded necklace with a very finely carved and pierced oval element mounted with prongs in a 14KT gold setting with a slide clasp. Circa 1930. Marked 14K and tests positive for 14KT gold. The beads graduate from large to small and back again to large at either end of the center element. 15 inches wearable length and 1 inch wide at the center. The carved gold mounted element is 1 5/8 inches side to side and 1 inch top to bottom...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1940 item #818300
modemodern
SOLD
Fabulous torsade necklace with a sliding pendant, in aged brass, with purple and jade beads and "Peking" glass accents. 1930s French. I have owned a signed French necklace with the same repousse enameled decoration. The necklace has a strand of purple glass beads wrapped around several strands of twisted brass wire in classic French style. The torsade ends in filigree caps, large green and purple glass beads, and a screw barrel clasp...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Unsigned : Pre 1940 item #1258738
modemodern
Sold
Beautiful unusual vintage 1930s Art Deco necklace with multi color beads wired in dark goldtone metal, in a bib design. With large opaque cube shaped black beads, and small faceted transparent beads in green, pink, red, aqua, pale blue, and yellow, arranged in single drops and in sprays of four. A fabulous little statement. 15 1/2 inches wearable length and 1 1/4 inches wide. Excellent condition. No missing elements. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Arts and Crafts : Pre 1940 item #728916
modemodern
SOLD
Stunning necklace in 14KT yellow gold with carved softly pyramid shaped carnelian stones in bezel settings. Marked 14K on the spring ring and also tests positive for 14KT gold. Circa 1930, from the same estate as the German Deco sterling and coral necklace I have listed. Art Deco, with elements of Arts & Crafts Tudor revival style. The stones are slightly graduated from the center. A beautiful, tailored, very wearable piece. It weighs 33 grams...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Pre 1940 item #1292914
modemodern
Sold
From the same estate, a gorgeous pair of green poured glass necklaces with graduated beads simulating Indian moghul emeralds, with early box clasps. 1930s, French. The glass beads are made by Gripoix. Shorter necklace is 15 3/4 inches long and longer necklace is 18 1/2 inches long. Drop for the two is about 2 inches. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1940 item #1260748
modemodern
Sold
Stunning early vintage butterscotch egg yolk amber necklace with 42 matched large round beads hand knotted with matching amber silk thread, and with goldtone spring ring clasp. It weighs 58 grams. 1930s, all original. The beads are variegated in color and range from opaque to semi translucent, with great markings. 24 inches wearable length and the beads range from 12mm to 13mm or 1/2 inch wide...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1940 item #1162948
modemodern
SOLD
Fabulous heavy vintage coral necklace of carved graduated rounded beads in soft pink and salmon colors, warmer than the photos show. Circa 1930. The coral is natural and undyed. Great to wear alone or to layer with other similar necklaces. Substantial at 78 grams. Wearable length is 16 1/2 inches. 5/8 inch wide at center. The largest bead is 15 mm by 11 mm and the smallest beads are 11 mm by 7 mm. Goldtone spring ring clasp. Excellent condition...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1930 item #1362914
modemodern
Sold
Beautiful very long vintage 1920s necklace with graduated cherry amber Bakelite faceted translucent beads, strung in a continuous strand with no clasp. Tests positive for Bakelite with Simichrome. Great size -- 62 inches wearable length. The largest center bead is 22mm by 13mm and the smallest beads are 8mm by 6mm. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Deco : Pre 1930 item #729114
modemodern
SOLD
Fabulous and early vintage yellow gold and carved jade drop screwback earrings with Chinese motifs. Circa 1925. Not marked, but they test positive for at least 14KT gold. Together they weigh 4 grams. The carving on the drops is double sided and photos show both sides.

Nice size -- 2 3/8 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1930 item #1336405
modemodern
Sold
Stunning vintage 1920s cherry amber Bakelite necklace with round translucent beads hand knotted with silk thread, in a continuous strand with no clasp. Tests positive for Bakelite with Simichrome. 146 grams. The beads are all 12 millimeters. 63 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Excellent condition with one bead having a loss of about 8mm wide and 1mm deep on one side, pictured. Not noticeable when worn. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Deco : Pre 1930 item #1305339
modemodern
Sold
Beautiful 1920s Chinese export Art Deco bracelet in gold washed sterling silver with four carved carnelian bi or pi disks mounted in pronged settings, with a box slide hidden clasp. I am also listing a similar pair of earrings from the same estate. Marked CHINA, SILVER, and also marked with a horse form hallmark. The carnelian stations are connected by chains with fine engraved decoration. It weighs 24 grams. Wearable length is 7 3/8 inches. 1 inch wide. The carnelian disks are 25mm in diameter ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Deco : Pre 1930 item #704927
modemodern
SOLD
A fabulous and dramatic silver necklace with webbed strands which fall asymmetrically in both the front and the back, longer in the back. Circa 1920. Period illustrations frequently show necklaces designed to highlight a low neckline in both front and back. With brilliant lead crystal unfoiled stones in openback settings. The metal tests positive for sterling silver. With a spring ring clasp without a thumb tab, a common early 20th century clasp. A stunning look.

Wearable length is 14 in...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1930 item #1244259
modemodern
SOLD
Beautiful circa 1920 genuine translucent honey amber faceted graduated bead necklace hand knotted with original matching thread, with openwork honeycomb form 14KT gold tiny box slide clasp. Clasp is marked 14K very faintly. The necklace weighs 37 grams. Faint age related crazing in many of the beads. All are completely stable with no cracks, chips etc. 36 1/2 inches long and 5/8 inch wide. Largest center bead is 15mm. Smallest beads are 8mm. Excellent condition. Display form is life size...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1930 item #1305345
modemodern
Sold
Sumptuous very long early vintage salmon angel skin coral necklace with round beads, all between 3mm and 4mm. Circa 1920. Recently professionally restrung on very fine soft flex wire with a new clasp. The spring ring of the clasp is 14K, the rest of the clasp and end pieces are gold filled. Great length -- 78 inches long. It weighs 39 grams. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Arts and Crafts : Pre 1930 item #770567
modemodern
SOLD
Substantial very big and heavy antique ring by the Baltimore jeweler and decorative arts metalware maker Carl Schon. Not well known outside of Baltimore, Schon worked in an Arts & Crafts and transitional/Art Deco style from the late 1890s until his death in 1923. Later Carl Schon pieces were made by the firm which continued under his name. This piece is very early, circa 1920. It is marked with tiny initials. It has a very large cabochon amethyst and two baroque pearls in a heavy ca...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1930 item #769699
modemodern
SOLD
Beautiful heavy and drapable rope necklace with graduated rose quartz beads carved with Chinese motifs. The clasp tests positive for 10KT gold. Circa 1925. The beads vary from very translucent to mostly opaque, and the color is a lovely pink which is warmer than the photos depict. It has been professionally restrung for security. The beads range in size from 14 mm to 6 mm in diameter. 35 inches long and 1/2 inch wide in the center. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show det...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Costume : Bakelite : Pre 1930 item #766339
modemodern
SOLD
Beautiful Bakelite necklace of graduated smooth round beads simluating cherry amber, with a hidden screw barrel clasp. Tests positive for Bakelite and guaranteed old and original. Circa 1925 and probably German. The beads range in size from 17 mm to 7 mm in diameter. It weighs 46 grams. It has been professionally restrung for security. 25 1/2 inches wearable length and 5/8 inch wide. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Deco : Pre 1930 item #697137
modemodern
SOLD
A fabulous and early vintage sterling necklace with square cut crystal stones and a huge pear shaped cut crystal drop. The clasp is marked STERLING and the other elements test positive for sterling. Circa 1920. Beautifully made and detailed. The edges of the square stone settings are engraved with delicate patterns. The stones are brilliant and glittering.

A classic collectible Art Deco piece, and currently perfectly of the moment as well. The fashion world is in the midst of a major Ar...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Period : Pre 1930 item #696546
modemodern
SOLD
A fabulous sterling bracelet with six very large carved and pierced jade stones set in bamboo form frames. Marked CHINA, NO. 23 and SILVER. Circa 1900 - 1930. With a slide clasp and a silver openwork panel at the clasp. The silver panel matches the flower and fruit pattern of the jade stones. The silver has a slightly aged finish and has a light gold wash. From a Philadelphia estate.

Great size -- 1 3/8 inches wide and 7 inches long clasped. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show ...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Deco : Pre 1930 item #697951
modemodern
SOLD
Exceptional and large bracelet in sterling silver with thick carved onyx rectangles and "Peking glass" cabochons simulating jade. Circa 1930. With filigree connecting links and sterling backs. The metal backs of the green stones are marked STERLING. With a spring ring clasp. Possibly French or German.

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, Lan...

All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Pre 1930 item #1162946
modemodern
SOLD
Lovely antique necklace of carved round coral beads in dark salmon. Circa 1920 - 1940. The coral is undyed Mediterranean. Continuous strand with no clasp. The beads are 3 to 4 mm in diameter. 52 inches long and long enough to wear doubled as shown. Great to wear alone or layer with other similar necklaces. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Deco : Pre 1930 item #753297
modemodern
SOLD
Gold screwback earrings with large carved apple jade drops. 1920s, with Chinese marks. Also marked 14K. Together they weigh 4 grams. Nice size -- 2 inches long and 9/16 inch wide. Excellent condition. One jade drop has a line -- it is visible in photos. It can be felt on the outside but the stone is completely stable and is not noticeable except in enlarged photos. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1930 item #1244621
modemodern
Sold
Beautiful 1920s bracelet with jade beads strung on a fine goldtone metal chain with matching spring ring clasp. I am also listing a matching necklace from the same estate. All beads are 9mm. It weighs 19 grams. Wearable length is 7 1/8 inches. 3/8 inch wide. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Strands : Jewels : Pre 1930 item #1143686
modemodern
SOLD
Lovely Art Deco pools of light necklace circa 1920 or 1930, made from 19 genuine rock crystal orbs, undrilled, held in silverplate wire, with a spring ring clasp and connecting jump rings. The clasp is marked but illegibly except for the number 211 in a cartouche. The metal is dark brass or other goldtone base metal with traces of silver or white gold plating, however most of the plating is lost. Guaranteed genuine rock crystal; images viewed through the orbs are shown upside down and backwards....
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Deco : Pre 1930 item #1305340
modemodern
Sold
Stunning 1920s Chinese export Art Deco long drop earrings with screw backs, in gold washed sterling silver with carved carnelian bi or pi disks, and very detailed repousee foo dogs at the tops. I am also listing a similar bracelet from the same estate. Marked CHINA, SILVER, and also marked with a horse form hallmark. Together they weigh 12 grams. 3 inches long and 1 1/16 inch wide. The carnelian disks are 27mm. Excellent condition. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Deco : Pre 1930 item #1309384
modemodern
Sold
Stunning very big Art Deco / Arts & Crafts silver ring with a large rectangular smoky quartz stone in a prong setting. German, circa 1920, marked 835 for silver content. The stone, which has many naturally occurring inclusions, has been verified by a gemologist. Ring size 8. The top is just under 7/8 inch square. The stone is 17mm by 15mm. Excellent condition. No losses or cracks in the stone. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Period : Pre 1930 item #696536
modemodern
SOLD
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 : Silver : Deco : Pre 1930 item #697139
modemodern
SOLD
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 : Silver : Deco : Pre 1930 item #697946
modemodern
SOLD
A classic Deco set, circa 1925, with 17 brilliant clear spheres of undrilled genuine rock crystal wrapped in thin silver wires, with tiny silver disks on either side of each sphere, connecting to jump rings. The carved crystal stones are each 13 millimeters in diameter. The screwback earrings have prong set faceted rock crystal stones at the top posts. The metal is not marked but tests positive for at least 800 silver. The crystal spheres glow and refract and reflect in the most fabulous ...
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Silver : Arts and Crafts : Pre 1930 item #1309385
modemodern
Sold
Stunning cocktail sized antique silver ring with an Austro Hungarian or early Art Deco look, with a very big oval genuine citrine stone. Circa 1900 to 1930. Unmarked but tests positive for sterling silver. The stone is gemologist verified. Ring size 5 1/2 and will fit up to a size 6 finger. The top is 1 1/8 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. The citrine is 18 mm by 15 mm. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.
All Items : Estate Jewelry : Gold : Deco : Pre 1930 item #728937
modemodern
SOLD
Early vintage drop pendant necklace in 14KT yellow gold with carved apple jade beads, a carved jade medallion in apple jade with hints of spinach, and a center drop in carved pierced apple jade. The carved motifs are Chinese in form. 1920s or 1930s. Marked 14K on the clasp and tests positive for 14KT gold. It weighs 9 grams. From a Baltimore estate. I also have a jade and gold bracelet listed from the same estate.

19 inches wearable length. The center drop is 3 inches long and 5/8 inch wide...