Tuesday 31 January 2017

LEA STEIN BROOCH - JOSEPHINE BAKER

This is one of Lea Stein's newer designs - the Josephine Baker brooch.  This one has the brow face.  There is a version with a lighter face that is called 'Lido'.  I think it has been complicated to design and make.  The face has wonderful detail (and was difficult to photograph without getting shading on the face!).  The earrings are stunning.  Unfortunately it has to be that bit more expensive - because it cost me more!  Full details on the web site.  Price £95 ref: 3028 C59/3
Lea stein Brooch - The Josephine Baker

Friday 27 January 2017

JOHN LAURITZEN - DENMARK - SILVER BRACELET

This silver bracelet was made between 1955-1981 by John Lauritzen who signed his work 'John L Denmark'.  Great design - as sort of half ball in a triangle!  Love silver and the Danish mid 19th century  silversmiths were just so good.  There is a full description on my web site - follow the linki.  Price £95 ref: 3027 C58/10
John Lauritzen - Denmark - Silver Bracelet

Tuesday 24 January 2017

LARGE VINTAGE FLOWER BROOCH WITH PINKISH CENTRE STONE

Sometimes I get asked for large, colourful glass stones brooches.  This would certainly fit the bill!  It is a large glass stones flower brooch set on gold tone metal.  The central stone - which is pinned in addition to the double claw setting - is a pinky red.  The petals are various colours - but not even numbers.  The leaves are 2 tone yellow/green.  Great quality and condition.  It measures nearly 4 inches in length.  Ref: 3025 C58/8 Price £88.
Large vintage flower brooch with pinkish centre stones

Friday 20 January 2017

LEA STEIN BROOCH - THE EDELWEISS IN RED GREEN BLACK & MOP

This edelweiss brooch was designed by Lea Stein somewhere between 1968 and 1980 (according to the Lea Stein Jewellery book.)  Of course so many of her designs have been reproduced over the years.  Do watch out for the copies/fakes being made in China - they may be cheaper but they are not so nice!  The designs that are being copied are the more popular one - cats, dogs etc.  I does make me angry that Ms. Stein has spent a lifetime building up her business - and is still active at 80 years - and people think it O.K. to make cheap copies.  Why can't they design their own jewellery!  Price £65 ref: 3024 C56/6
Lea Stein Brooch - Edelweiss Flower - Red Green Black & MOP

Thursday 19 January 2017

YSL 1980S HEART SHAPED COMPACT AND LIPSTICK WITH GREEN STONES - BOTH BOXED

It is approaching Valentine's Day and I have just got this YSL heart shaped compact and lipstick set from the 1980s.  They are both in their original boxes.  The compact is heart shaped with green glass stones.  The lipstick has a heart shaped green glass stone at the end and a heart on the side.   They both have their original boxes.  Wonderful present for a Valentine!  Full details and lots of pictures are on my web site - see the link.  Price £165 ref: 3023 C57/46
YSL 1980s heart shaped compact and lipstick with green stones and in original boxeshttp://www.gillianhorsup.com/default.php/cPath/124_125

BLACK & CLEAR GLASS FACETED ART DECO EARRINGS - PIERCED

Back to one of my favourites today - Art Deco.  These long black and clear drop earrings are faceted and hang with 3 small flat beads on a gilt metal lever back fitting.  I like lever back fittings as I have never lost an earrings with this sort of top.  The earrings measure about 2 3/4 inches top to bottom.  Love them!  Price £65 ref: 3022 C50/35
black & clear glass faceted Art Deco earrings - pierced

Sunday 15 January 2017

CZECH DECO PERIOD SHORT NECKLACE WITH 7 GREEN GLASS DROPS

I do have a passion for vintage Czech glass jewellery and love the necklace in that Deco green glass colour that was so popular.  This necklace is quite short at 16 inches and has deco green glass beads, emerald green glass stones and 7 pear shaped drops hanging.  Rare to get all the drops without any damage.  The gilt metalwork has aged and acquired a lovely (in my opinion) patina. Would be quite happy to keep this myself - but needs must!  Ref: 3021 C49/43
Czech Deco Period Short Necklace with 7 Green Glass Drops

Thursday 12 January 2017

LARGE MARCASITE STUD EARRINGS WITH BROWN/GLASS/CARNELIAN PIECES

Love these - they are just my colour!  Going to have to make myself take them into Grays Antiques!  They are on white metal - marked 925 - with marcasite stones and large, brown stones that could be carnelians but equally could be glass - it is difficult to tell.  I don't mind either way and would wear them quite happily!  I am not sure of date either.  A lot of marcasite jewellery was imported some years ago from the Far East but this supply seems to have dried up.  They are about 2 1/2 inches deep and priced at £88.  Ref: 3020 C57/39
Large Marcasite Stud Earrings with Brown Glass/Carnelian Pieces

Monday 9 January 2017

FILIGREE VINTAGE BROOCH - WHITE METAL AND RED GLASS STONES

I do love filigree brooches - many of them made in Czech.  Personally the bigger the better - but I know this is not everyone's taste.  This is much smaller - about a 1 1/2 inches square.  It has red glass faceted stones and is set on a white metal base. This has small leaves and a diamond pattern

- but what I really love about these brooches is that the back is often as beautiful as the front - do take a look!  Can be worn square or on the diagonal.  Filigree Vintage Brooch - White Metal and Red Glass Stones Full details on web site.  Price £55 ref: 3018

Sunday 8 January 2017

1930s BAKELITE FRUITS & WOOD BASE BROOCH

Lucky to get this brooch with 6 bakelite fruits on a dark wood base.  It is in reasonable condition considering its age and the fact that often the plastic peels off the chord and a lot of white cord shows through.  I have also seen this brooch on the internet with one of the fruits missing.  I have also tried to keep the price down - as I have seen these going for a lot of money.  Strange there isn't an apple - but I do love the fruits!  Full details are on my web site as usual - including a condition report.  Price £128 reference 3017 C51/36
1930s bakelite & wood base brooch

Friday 6 January 2017

LEA STEIN BROOCH - SCOTTIE DOG - MOTHER OF PEARL WITH GREY COAT

Lea Stein brooches sold well before X-mas and I now have to try to get some more!  Have this delightful Scottie dog.  It has a light/creamy mother of pearl type head and body.  Lighter than in the picture (I have been struggling to get the correct colour and have given up!).  The coat is black/light colours stripes - which looks grey.  This design is popular with people visiting the U.K.  Most of my Lea Stein brooches are £65 unless it is something rare.  I find this is easier for customers in my shop than having them all at different prices!  Ref: 3016 C24/5
Lea Stein Brooch - Scottie Dog - Mother of Pearl with Grey Coat

Tuesday 3 January 2017

WOODBURY POWDER BOX - FLESH

Trying to get back into work mode after long break!  I love powder boxes - the shapes, designs, graphics, pictures etc.  This one - with its ?Grecian Lady - is by John H Woodbury of Cincinnati, Ohio.  Great decoration and in relatively good condition.  I always have a selection of vintage powder boxes in my shop at Grays Antiques and on my web site.  This one is £24 ref: 3014 C46. See web site for more info.

Woodbury Powder Box - Flesh