Saturday 29 December 2018

SNAKE HEADS GOLD TONE NECKLACE

This is a double snake's head gold tone necklace with gas pipe chain (flexible).  One snake hangs down further than the other - this is fixed.  It is in good condition but I do not know the date.  Full details are on my web site - www.gillianhorsup.com - price £88 reference 3252 YL

Friday 14 December 2018

YSL - GILT CLIP EARRINGS - SHELL SHAPED

A pair of YSL clip earrings.  Not sure of the date.  In a dull gilt colour.  The clips are not on a spring fitting - they push against the ear and stay there.  Shell shaped is as near as I can get to the shape!  Full details on my web site.  Ref: 3250 D21/16 Price £95
YSL - Gilt Clip Earrings - Shell Shaped

Monday 10 December 2018

VERY LARGE DIAMANTE SPIDER BROOCH

This diamante spider brooch is similar to two I have had made by Butler & Wilson.  This one is the same size but the upper body is a little different.  It has black eyes and the larger stone in the abdomen are upside down - so the points are uppermost.  It is in new condition.  Great for a night out!  Price £88 ref: 3246 D12/4
Very Large Diamante Spider Brooch

Wednesday 5 December 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - THE SLEEPING/LYING DOWN CAT - IVORINE

Its the time of year that people come into my shop to buy Lea Stein brooches as X-mass presents.  I am behind with my photography and and number of brooches are not yet in the shop.  If you are looking for a special one please let me know and I will look at home for you.  This is the sleeping or lying down cat in an ivorine colour - a very popular design.  Full details on the web site.  Price £65 Ref: 3244 D24/8

Monday 3 December 2018

BUTLER & WILSON VERY LARGE SPIDER BROOCH WITH MAUVE STONES

I had this brooch a while ago with multicoloured glass stones.  This one is the same but with mauve stones.  It is very large and the base is a grey metal.  You have to like spiders to wear this!  Great for a party or night out.  Full details on my web site.  Good condition.  ~Ref: 3243 D18/112
Butler & Wilson very large spider brooch with mauve stones

Sunday 2 December 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - THE RED FOX

This is a genuine Lea Stein fox brooch in a red swirly pattern.  The fox brooch is the most famous of Lea Stein's brooches and is very popular in my shop at Alfies Antiques.  It is not one of the copies or fakes and has such a beautiful shape.  Price £65.  Reference 3242 D24/1
Lea Stein Brooch - Red Fox

Wednesday 28 November 2018

YOHAI VINTAGE MATT GILT BOW STUD EARRINGS WITH HANGING CHAINS.

A pair of Debra Fine Yohai vintage stud earrings - probably 1980s.  They have large matt gilt bow tops with 3 hanging flat chains in loops.  The earrings are very good quality - the chains are soft and flexible.  I can find no reference to Yohai jewellery in the 21st Century - or when the firm might have gone out of business.  Shame the earrings are so great!  Price £75 Ref: 3240 D21/22  Full details on my web site.

Monday 19 November 2018

DIAMANTE VINTAGE COLLAR NECKLACE - 7 LONG DROPS WITH DIAMANTE BALLS

This is a vintage diamante collar necklace on white metal.  It has 7 log diamante drops with a diamante ball at the ends.  Great for a party night out!  In good condition.  Full details on web site.  I always have a good selection of diamante jewellery at my shop in Alfies Antiques in the centre of London.  Ref: 3239 price £88
Diamante vintage collar necklace - 7 long drops with diamante ball

Monday 12 November 2018

CZECH VINTAGE FILIGREE BROOCH WITH YELLOW GLASS STONES

This is a Czech vintage filigree brooch with yellow glass stones.  It has lots of small flat backed yellow glass stones and one large facted stone.  It has aged beautifully - losing the shiny gilding and showing the brass underneath.  All the stones are claw set. I do love the Czech filigree brooches!  This one is quite a reasonable size. Full details on the web site Price £68 ref: 3238 D18/19
Czech Vintage Filigree Brooch with Yellow Glass Stones

Friday 9 November 2018

DRAGONFLY BROOCH, DIAMANTE & BLUE STONES, MARKED 925

Love this moth brooch.  It is on a white metal - stamped 925 (sterling) but I cannot sell it as sterling because it is not Hallmarked.  It has white diamante stones and blue ?glass stones - with a larger one in the body.  It also has some marcasite in the head and tip of body.  Size and condition as usual on my web site.  Price £88 ref: 3236 D20/26
moth brooch, diamante & blue stones, marked 925

Friday 2 November 2018

MAXINE DENKER - WHITE METAL FACE MASK BROOCH

Sometimes I like to buy something a bit whacky and out of the ordinary!  This Maxine Denker white metal face mask brooch intrigued me.  I have been unable to find out anything about Maxine Denkier jewellery but other Google sellers say that her face mask jewellery was made in the 1980s.  This brooch will not appeal to everyone but they are quite popular in my shop and often go out on photoshoots.  Price £55 Ref: 3236 D21/20
Maxine Denker - white metal face mask brooch

Wednesday 31 October 2018

STRATTON VINTAGE MOTHER OF PEARL CONVERTIBLE COMPACT

A Stratton vintage mother of pearl convertible compact.  Suitable for loose or solid powder - which is a clue to the date.  It has the original box, pouch, leaflet, sifter and all is in reasonable condition for its age.  Mirror very good.  Full details on web site. Price £68 Ref: 3235 YL
Stratton vintage mother of pearl convertible compact

Monday 29 October 2018

TRIFARI VINTAGE BROOCH - GOLD TONE LEAF SPRAY WITH FAUX PEARLS

A classic Trifari brooch in a gold tone metal with faux pearls and leaves.  This dates between 1955-1970.  I can be accurate about this as the copyright symbol on the back was not introduced until 1955 and the crown on top of the T in Trifari disappeared after 1970.  It is called a Crown Trifari and these earlier pieces are more sought after.  Price £68 ref: 3234 D20/32
Trifari Vintage Broooch - Gold Tone Leaf Spray with Faux Pearls

Friday 26 October 2018

GIVENCHY - VINTAGE GOLD TONE HOOP CLIP EARRINGS

A pair of Givench matt gold tone clip hoop earrings.  Beautiful quality and great design. Probably 1980s - but not sure.  In very good condition. Measurements on web site - www.gillianhorsup.com Price £88 ref: 3232 D21/10

Thursday 25 October 2018

NAVY BLUE & TURQUOISE PLASTIC SEMICIRCLES PIERCED EARRINGS

This is an interesting pair of navy blue and turquoise plastic earrings in a geometric, semicircular design.  They are for pierced ears and have lever back gilt fittings.  Full details on my web site - www.gillianhorsup.com - for measurement etc.  Ref: 3231 D9/4 price £40.

Monday 22 October 2018

BUTLER & WILSON VERY LARGE, COLOURED STONES, SPIDER BROOCH

This Butler & Wilson spider brooch is very large.  It has coloured stones and is on white metal.  It certainly makes a statement.  I have not been able to find another one on the internet anywhere so have not been able to date it.  Full details are as usual on my web site www.gillianhorsup.com - together with measurements.
Butler & Wilson very large, coloured stones, spider brooch

Friday 12 October 2018

DECO PERIOD DRESS CLIP - MOULDED GLASS STONES & GILT LEAVES

This is an Art Deco period dress clip.  It has 5 cabochon glass stones and 4 pale green moulded glass stones - on a gilt metal base.  Although it has obviously aged - it is in otherwise good condition and the clasp works well.  So pretty - with its pastel shades.  Price £75 Ref: 3228 D18/36
Deco Period Dress Clip - Moulded Glass Stones & Gilt Leaves

Tuesday 9 October 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - FOX HEAD - MOP, BLACK, RED

This is the Lea Stein fox head brooch - one of my favourites!  It is in a Mother of Pearl textured cellulose acetate with black an it has red eyes.  It is a Lea Stein original.  It measures approx.  2 3/4 inches top to bottom.  Price £65 ref: 3227 D161/7
Lea Stein Brooch - Fox Head - MOP, red eyes

Thursday 4 October 2018

TURTLE & GLASS PANELS -LADY & CHERUB-BRACELET ON WHITE METAL

This extraordinary bracelet has two ?turtles and two orange class panels.  The turtles are very well detailed.  The two orange glass panels have a lady and a cherub on them.  A curious mix of subjects - unless I am missing a historical connection.  Full details and extra pictures are on my web site.  Price £88 ref: 3226 D14/12.
Turtle & Glass Panel - lady & cherub - bracelet on white metal

Friday 28 September 2018

CZECH EARRINGS - ORANGE GLASS FLOWERS

I love Czech. jewellery and these earrings have come out of a shop that closed in 1972 and were made up of old components.  I have a large quantity of such earrings and am taking them into my shop at Alfies Antiques from time to time.  I would love to see you there!  Price £55

Monday 24 September 2018

ART DECO PERIOD RED MIRROR GLASS NECKLACE

How amazing that this has survived intact!  A red mirror glass necklace from the Art Deco period.  Geometric pattern on the front, larger pieces - and the glass pieces go all the way round.  So hard to find red ones!  Full details - including measurements - on my web site.  Price £135 Ref: 3225 C64/4
Art Deco Period Red Mirror Glass Neck

Saturday 22 September 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - THE TURTLE - MAROON, GREY AND BLACK

This is a Lea Stein turtle brooch - and I was pleased to buy it as I have not had one for a while.  It is in maroon and grey square with black borders - quite an unusual pattern.  It measures about 3 inches top to tail and is a genuine Lea Stein - correctly marked on pin - Lea Stein Paris.  Full details on web site.  Ref: 3224 D16/4 Price £65
Lea Stein Brooch - the turtle - maroon, grey and black

Monday 17 September 2018

ALICE CAVINESS - DECO STYLE DIAMANTE BRACELET

This diamante bracelet in the Art Deco style is by Alice Caviness.  She made jewellery in New York from the 1940s but her pieces are very difficult to date.  This one looks to be early - 1940s-1950s but I cannot confirm.  It is signed on the back of the clasp.  The back is quite unusual.  Full details on my web site - together with measurements and extra photos.  Ref: 3221 D18/107
Alice Caviness - Deco Style Diamante Bracelet

Saturday 15 September 2018

HOUBIGANT - SMALL ROUGE BOX & CONTENTS - FLOWER BASKET DESIGN

This Houbigant box contains rouge and is from C 1930s.  It is smaller than the powder boxes of the same period.  I often get the powder boxes but rarely the rounge.  There is a full description on my web site www.gillianhorsup.com  - together with some info on how Houbigant came to have a flower basket on it's containers.  Price £40 ref: 3219 D18/10

Thursday 13 September 2018

ART DECO HAT FLASH/CLOCHE PIN - BROWN AND CREAMY YELLOW

Nice to have a change from the usual black and diamante Art Deco cloche pins/hat flashes.  This one is brown and a creamy yellow and is in good condition.  Full description including measurement on my web site. Price £35 ref: 3218 D8/18
Art Deco hat flash/cloche pin - brown and creamy yellow

Wednesday 12 September 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - PANDA ON BAMBOO - MOP & BLACK

This is another of Lea Stein's wonderful animal brooches - a mother of pearl and black panda on a bamboo.  It is a genuine Lea Stein not one of the cheap copies.  It is made of cellulose acetate and the variety of textures and colours in her brooches is amazing.  It measures about 3 1/2 inches top to bottom and is priced at £65.  Ref: 3218 D16/5

Tuesday 4 September 2018

HAND BROOCH - GOLD TONE - LONG

Hand brooches are always popular in my shop at Alfies Antiques in central London.  This one is extra long.  It has a decorated end.  It has a diamante ring and holds a black stone.  The nails are painted.  I do not know the date but think it is probably vintage.  Ref: 3217 D14/40
Hand Brooch - Gold Tone - Long

Monday 27 August 2018

VIEW FROM MY NEW SHOP AT ALFIES ANTIQUES, LONDON

After 13 years at Grays Antiques in central London, I have moved to Alfies Antiques nearby.  In Grays Mews I was in a basement and saw little daylight.  At Alfies I have two shops separated by a small corridor leading to a balcony and this is the views.  How lucky is that - after years undeground!  Do come and visit the new shop in Vintage Modes, Alfies Antiques.  It is easy to get to - Google will tell you how!

Monday 20 August 2018

SNAKE BROOCH - GOLD TOE & DIAMANTE - LARGE

I am not sure of the date of this large, gold tone, diamante snake brooch.  Probably 1980s.  Shame it has no mark on it as it is well made and in good condition.  I have bought a number of snakes items recently and am trying to get them photographed - but it takes me so much time!  I must make 'snake pit' in my display at Alfies Antiques - in central London - to display them all!  Ref: 3214 D14/16 Price £65
snake brooch - gold tone & diamante - large

Sunday 19 August 2018

GROSSE TOUCAN BROOCH - BLACK & CREAM ENAMEL WITH PEARL

This is a Grosse brooch in gold tone metal and creamy white and black enamel with a faux pearl in the beak.  It looks as if it is probably 1980's - but maybe not!  This was made by Grosse - who made jewellery for Dior from the 1950's until early this century. However the two ranges were quite separate and if it is marked Grosse then it is not Dior.  (See my notes on Grosse on my web site under 'Manufacturers')  Full description on the website - ref: 3213 D12/26 Price £88
Grosse Toucan Brooch - Black & Cream Enamel with Pearl

Saturday 18 August 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - PETAL LADIES HEAD - RED, BLACK, IVORINE

When I was at Grays Antiques (Bond Street) my customers loved Lea Stein.  Now I have moved to Alfies Antiques - not far away - in Marylebone - I will have to see.  They certainly brighten up any display - and there is now a Facebook group devoted to her.  The info I have learned from this group has been very useful.  This 'Petal' design is very popular and the colours are great too.  Full details on my web site.  Price £65.00 ref: 3212 C73/26
Lea Stein Brooch - Petal Ladies Head - red, black, ivorine

Thursday 16 August 2018

COLOURED RINGS VINTAGE CLIP EARRINGS

In my vintage costume jewellery shop in Alfies Antiques I sell a huge variety of earrings and specialise in clips.  Many of my customers do not have pierced ears.  These earrings are a fun pair of plastic rings on a clip fitting.  So good for a sunshine holiday!  Lightweight and colourful!  Price £35 Ref: 3211 D12/29
Coloured Rings Vintage Clip Earrings

Sunday 12 August 2018

CZECH RED & SILVER ART DECO BELT BUCKLE

People say to me that they cannot sew and therefore cannot make a belt to go with a vintage or Art Deco belt buckle.  Perhaps you can find a vintage belt at a Charity Shop that measures about 1/2 inch wide - in maybe a suede or soft leather.  Cut off the old buckle and it is simple to sew it on to a vintage belt.  Or use it as a clasp for a cloak or jacket.  I have even seen them used as clasps for a multistrand necklace.  This on is in a red and silver clasp and is marked 'Made in Cechoslovakia' - a more unusual spelling.  Price £40 ref: 3210 D2/17
Czech Red & Silver Art Deco Belt Buckle

Saturday 11 August 2018

VINTAGE BROOCH WITH TURQUOISE & GREEN GLASS STONES & FLOWERS

Love the constructions of this vintage flower brooch.  It has turquoise and pale green glass stones on a gold tone metal.  The flowers are wavy pieces of glass that turn on a pin that has a dark diamante stone at the end.   So clever!  Full details on the web site as usual!  Price £75 reference 3209 D12/25

Saturday 4 August 2018

GILLIAN HORSUP VINTAGE JEWELLERY AT ALFIES ANTIQUES IN CENTRAL LONDON

We have now completed our move from Grays Antiques to Alfies Antiques in Marylebone, central London.  Full details are of course on my website www.gillianhorsup.com and shop address and contact details are on the Contact Me page.  Please note the centre is not open on a Monday.  Phone number is 0207233335 to check that someone will be there.  We are part of Vintage Modes and are near the Alfies cafe with an outside eating area - great on a sunny day!  Alfies now has a very large selection of vintage costume jewellery and accessories - come and see for yourself! 

DANGLEY GOLD TONE CHAINS VINTAGE EARRINGS WITH ORNATE GREEN TOPS

This pair of gold tone chains clip earrings have a green patterned piece at the top which sits on an ornate gold tone background.  Very unusual earrings which unfortunately have no maker's name.  If I can to make a guess I would say 1960/70s but I could be wrong!  Very good quality and condition.  Price £55 ref: 3208 D12/34.
Dangley gold tone chains vintage earrings with ornate green tops

Sunday 29 July 2018

LARGE, VINTAGE, GOLD TONE, DECORATED CLIP EARRINGS WITH DROPS

I presume these are 1980's'  They are old shop stock from Spain.  The main body of the earrings is decorated and has an unusual shaped green glass stone in the middle. 3 drops hang down - each with a central green cabochon glass stone.  The middle one has a faux pearl and coloured diamante stones.  They measure about 3 1/2 x 2 inches.  Ref: 3207 D6/35.  Price £55.
Large, vintage, gold tone, decorated clip earrings with drops

Monday 23 July 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - THE RED WATCHING CAT

In the Lea Stein book this cat is not given a name but has become known as the Watching Cat - which seems an apt name for it.  It is in a wavy red with black bow and striped eyes.  Good to add to a collection!  (Some of my customers collect - for example - cats).  It has the correct pin on the back - Lea Stein Paris.  There is plenty of information about Lea Stein jewellery on the web and some notes on her on my web site under 'Manufacturers'.  Ref: 3205 A175/24 Price £65
Lea Stein Brooch - The Red Watching Cat

Sunday 22 July 2018

MONTY DON BROOCH - RED AND GREY STONES

This is a Monty Don brooch with the original packaging.  It is not signed.  I presume - like Butler and Wilson - the more elaborate pieces with signed and others were not.  It came from a lady who said she had bought it new but did not wear it any more.  It has red and grey stones on white metal and measures about 2 inches square.  Price £68 ref: 3204 D12/9
Monty Don Brooch - red and grey glass stones

Friday 20 July 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - HALF COLERETTE

This is a Lea Stein half colerette brooch.  This brooch is far more complicated than many of the Lea Stein brooch.  There are so many layers of colours.  This could never be copied by the Chinese manufacturers who are so fond of copying her brooches.  It really is superb.  If you enlarge it you can see all the layers.  It must have taken ages to make.  One of my favourites!  Price - same as most of the others I sell - £65. Ref: 3202 D5/40
Lea Stein Brooch - half colerette

Monday 16 July 2018

CZECH VINTAGE LARGE FILIGREE BROOCH WITH FAUX TURQUOISE GLASS STONES

I just love the early Czech filigree brooches.  Have made resolution to actually wear them in my shop at Alfies Antiques - instead of just looking and admiring them!  This one is quite large and has faux turquoise glass stones - which are claw set.  The gilt on brass filigree background has other pieces attached to the front to give a 3-D effect.  It is not so shiny golden as it would have been new - and I prefer it this way.  Full details on my web site.  Price £75 ref: 3201 YL
Czech vintage large filigree brooch with faux turquoise glass stones

Monday 9 July 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - SPARKLEY SILVER FOX

Back to the Lea Stein today.  I do love the sparkley ones and this one is in a silver colour - so good for an evening out.  Taking it into my new shop at Alfies Antiques.  Do pay a visit if you can - and look at the variety of Lea Stein brooches that I have there.  All of them are original Lea Steins - I do not stock the copies.  They have the correct Lea Stein pin on the back.  If you have never seen Lea Stein before then take a look on my web site - www.gillianhorsup.com and look under 'Manufacturers - My Notes'.  Ref: 3200 C77/39 price £65
Lea Stein Brooch - Sparkley Silver Fox

Friday 6 July 2018

CELLULOID SEWING CONTAINER - OBELISK SHAPED - FOR COTTONS, THIMBLE, NEEDLES

An unusual, vintage, celluloid sewing container.  Inside it has a reel for the cottons, a brown celluloid thimble and a hole at the top of the reel for needles.  I always love to buy these Deco period containers.  Were they taken on holiday?  For everyday life a larger workbox would be used.  See full details of this charming example on my website.  Price £68 ref: 3199 D7/5

Celluloid Sewing Contaier - Obelisk Shaped - for Cottons, Thimble, Needles

Sunday 1 July 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - SLEEPING/LYING DOWN CAT - GOLDEN

This is the Lea Stein lying down/sleeping cat brooch.  It is in a most unusual colour - a spakley yellow gold - a colour that I have not had on its own before.  It has black ears and eyes and it is correctly marked on the pin - Lea Stein Paris.  So lucky to get this one!  It measures about 2 3/4 inches across.  Price £65 r5ef: 3198 D5/43
Lea Stein Brooch - the sleeping/lying down cat

Monday 25 June 2018

VINTAGE FLOWER STAMENS IN BOX

Although I do not know where I am going to put these vintage flower stamens - used to make flowers for hats etc. - in my new shop at Alfies Antiques, I could not resist buying them.  They look so lovely altogether in the old box.  That is how I am selling them - as a job lot in the box.  There are about 18 bunches.  See full description on my web site.  Ref: 3197 D11
Vintage flower stamens in box

Monday 18 June 2018

DIAMANTE, BLACK STONE, BLACK ENAMEL DROP STUD EARRINGS MARKED 925

This is a pair of black enamel on white metal drop stud earrings with a black? glass/onyx stone at the top.  They are marked 925 - so they may be sterling silver - but without a hallmark I cannot sell them as such.  They are in very good condition - I think old shop stock - and measure about 2 1/4 inches top to bottom.  Ref: 3195 D8/22
Diamante, black stone, black enamel drop stud earrings marked 925

Monday 4 June 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - THE HEDGEHOG - SILVER & BLACK

As many of my followers will know - I am moving shop from Grays Antiques to Alfies Antiques (full details on my web site - www.gillianhorsup.com).  All the stock is at the moment in stripey bags whilst we erect the new shop.  I do not - at the moment - know where most the stock is - except for the Lea Stein's - which are at home.  This Lea Stein Brooch is the Hedgehog and it is in a wonderful sparkley silver colour with a black underbody.  Full description on the web site.  This one is always popular in my shop - but of course at the moment there is no shop to put it in. I hope that there will be in about 2 or 3 weeks time - when we have finished erecting the cabinets and shelving.  Ref: 3194 C77/36
Lea Stein Brooch - The Hedgehog - Silver & Black

Monday 28 May 2018

LEA STEIN BROOCH - SCARLETT O'HARA - GREEN DRESS, GOLD HAT, IVORINE BODY

This is the Lea Stein Scarlett O'hara brooch - or ballerina.  She has on a swirley green dress which has a black and gold belt.  Her hat is a diagonal patter with gold and her body is ivorine.  Sometimes this brooch has her holding a fan.   I love this emerald green colour - and it seems to be popular with my customers.  Price £65 ref: 3192 B132/8
Lea Stein Brooch - Scarlett O'Hara - Green Dress