Sunday 17 December 2017

WHITE METAL, LARGE VINTAGE CLIP EARRINGS WITH COLOURED GLASS STONES

Large earrings our one of our best sellers in my shop at Grays Antiques in central London.  Although I sell a wide range of vintage jewellery - it is the bigger earrings that so many people seem attracted by.  I think these white metal clip earrings with coloured glass stones are probably 1980s but it is difficult to tell.  They measure about 4 inches top to bottom so are not for the faint hearted!  Full details on web site.  Ref: 3137 C81/6
White Metal, Large vintage clip earrings with coloured glass stones

Tuesday 12 December 2017

LEA STEIN BROOCH - CICADA - IVORINE AND BLACK

The Lea Stein cicada is about my favourite Lea Stein brooch and I will sometimes wear two at once.  It is one of the longer/thicker brooches - being nearly 3 1/4 inches long.  Had trouble photographing this one so am trying a different background - at least you can see it now!  Will have to experiment some more.  Price £65 Ref: 3135 C77/35
Lea Stein Brooch - Cicada - Ivorine and Black

Sunday 10 December 2017

MEXICAN SILVER EARRINGS - HALF BALLS AND LOOPS PATTERN - STUDS

Love Mexican silver jewellery and often wear it myself.  Can't keep it all though so am putting these Mexican silver stud earrings in the shop.  Distinctive and interesting pattern on them - half-balls and loops.  They have to have been made after 1980 as they have the modern silver marking on them - although I cannot sell them as silver due to our strict Hallmarking regulations.  Full description on my web site.  Price £55 ref: 3134 C68/2
Mexican Silver Earrings - Half Balls and Loops Pattern Studs

Tuesday 5 December 2017

ART DECO GLASS BELT BUCKLE - DECO GREEN & SILVER

Back to Art Deco today - which I love.  This is an Art Deco glass belt buckle in a Deco green colour with silver.  In the Art Deco period many of the dresses worn were made by dressmakers - or at home.  Even in the 1950s when I was young - if you were going anywhere special you might have a dressmaker make you a dress. You would choose the material, the buttons and the belt buckle.  This one would take a belt width of about 4/5ths of an inch - or 2 cm.  It is so easy to sew on to any belt.  You could even try going to a charity shop and finding one, cutting off the modern buckle and sewing on this one.  Often these are sold in my shop for films, plays etc.  Ref: 3132 C76/10 price £55

Art Deco Glass Belt Buckle Deco Green & Silver

Sunday 3 December 2017

LEA STEIN BROOCH - THE TALL CAT - REPTILE OR SNAKESKIN PATTERN

This is the Lea stein tall cat brooch.  It is in a snakeskin or reptile pattern - which is just one of my favourite of all her textures/patterns.  It is classy and looks so smart.  Can be worn for work or when going out socializing.  It is a genuine Lea Stein and has the correct v-shaped clasp on the back. I do so hate the cheap Chinese copies - they are just no comparison with the real deal!  It measures about 3 inches top to bottom.  Like most of my Lea Steins, it is priced at £65.  Ref: 3131 C77/33  I usually have a good selection in the shop at Grays Mews - 3 minutes from Bond Street Underground Station.
Lea Stein Brooch - The Sitting Up Cat - Snakeskin

Friday 1 December 2017

ART DECO PERIOD HANDKIES - THE PRINTED SQUARE

I have been selling vintage costume jewellery for over 35 years - and collecting for longer - but do not collect anything in particular.  I love to have examples of different things.  One small collection I do have is Art Deco period handk
ies - usually rayon.  I love these because of their designs and colours - they are just so alive and beautiful.  Some of my handkies were included in a book called 'The Printed Square' by Nicky Alrechtsen - Thames & Hudson.  I have just been give a set of five beautiful floral handkies.  The person who gave them to me was very upset that it was missing the sixth.  The dealer he bought them from had sold one of the set!   I wonder what colour the missing one was!