The Silver Antiques Insider

The Scarab: A Beautiful Motif In Antique Jewelry

At Nelson and Nelson, we always offer a beautiful selection of antique and signed jewelry. One of the more interesting and historical design elements in our collection is the scarab.

 This exquisite 18 karat gold Roman Revival style brooch (circa 1880) is based on the designs of the renowned Castellani firm and features a gold pendant-style drop that secures a carved scarab stone. The box-formed base with circular forms on each end are embellished with frogs and the center of the pin is surmounted with a three-dimensional owl with spread wings and has the motto “SALVE” spelled out in wirework. For more information, click here. 

The scarab motif has been a popular component of jewelry and other human adornment for thousands of years. It originated in ancient Egypt, where representations of the Scarabaeus sacer, or dung beetle, represented the celestial cycle of transformation and rebirth. Scarabs carved of ivory, semi-precious and precious stones and gold were used not only as grave goods, but also as powerful amulets that were believed to ward off evil and bring the bearer good luck. As such, they were--and still are--important gifts for those close to us. If you are looking for a unique and meaningful piece of antique jewelry, consider one of the beautiful scarab adornments we have on offer. 

 

This unique antique American pendant in English Etruscan Revival design (circa 1870) has a figural carved garnet scarab with 15K gold legs, diamond eyes and an encrusted rose-cut diamond set on an oval, faceted rock crystal pedestal. For more information, click here. 

 

This beautiful antique faience scarab (circa 1860) features cushion-shaped emerald and ruby wings and old European-cut diamond accents on a silver-topped gold mount. For more information, click here. 

 

This fantastic Victorian brooch in the form of a winged scarab carved from a turquoise and grey-colored stone is set in 14K gold. The scarab is centered in a detailed and elegant gold setting forming feathered wings and flanked on each side with two cobras in profile. For more information, click here. 

For Theater Fans- Lorgnette Antique Jewelry!

Remember old films and illustrations featuring grande dames who peer over their theatre box with a set of embellished opera glasses? For ladies of the 19th century, lorgnettes (from the French lorgner, "to take a sidelong look at") were de rigueur for catching an eyeful of a performance or book, or, of course, discreet snooping.

To observe in style, Nelson and Nelson has beautiful antique jewelry lorgnettes for your favorite performance maven.

This fabulous Art Deco diamond encrusted platinum lorgnette features a double hinged spring mechanism that secures one magnifier on top of the other when closed. When hung from a long chain, this magnificent lorgnette becomes a simply stunning pendant. For more information, click here. 

This antique American lorgnette in 14K gold, circa 1890, is decorated with a fabulous figural design featuring a border of two griffins and a gargoyle (both classic Victorian motifs) on both sides of lorgnette. A spring mechanism releases a hinged pair of reading glasses. For more information, click here. 

Preserve Our Antique Silver Heritage!

Anyone who's keeping tabs on the rollercoaster ride that the world's economy is currently taking knows that gold and silver prices are at all-time high. In the rush to cash in on precious metals, however, sellers may be unknowingly destroying beautiful works of art. According to an article in Bloomberg, fine examples of Georgian and Victorian silver are mistakenly being melted down for scrap. 

This early English salver with a pie-crust edge is set on 3 feet and features a beautiful original monogram in the center (possibly "EM"). It's fully hallmarked with the punch of Robert Abercromby from 1743. For more information, click here. 

If you're interested in selling your antique silver or antique jewelry, consider approaching a trusted dealer like Nelson and Nelson who will appraise your piece not only for the weight of its metal, but also for its beautiful artistic quality. Nelson and Nelson will never scrap fine antique silver and jewelry, so you'll know that your exquisite objects will be treasured for generations to come. For more information on how to sell your  antique silver, sterling silver and antique jewelry, click here. 

What Is Sterling Silver?

At Nelson and Nelson, we feature a wide assortment of beautiful antique sterling silver. But how does sterling silver differ from other silver?

A majestic sterling silver centerpiece bowl by Tiffany & Co., New York, circa 1910. For more information on this piece, click here. 

 Pure silver is too soft for creating functional objects like flatware, pitchers and plates. To compensate for the softness of pure silver, it's alloyed in a standard mass ratio of 92.5% silver to 7.5% other metals (often copper). This is why sterling silver often bears a ".925" stamp (see below).

Sterling silver most likely originated in mainland Europe, and gets its name from the Old English "steorling" ("with/like little star"), possibly in reference to Norman coins stamped with the symbol. 

 Nelson and Nelson not only sells antique sterling silver, but also buys antique sterling silver flatware sets, tea sets, and other antique sterling silver items. If you're unsure about whether or not your item is indeed sterling, check it for a .925 hallmark. For other tips on selling us your antique silver, click here.