The Silver Antiques Insider

Celebrate Republic Day With Antique Jewelry

On this day in 1950, India severed its final ties with Great Britain and formally became a republic. As a beautiful way to honor India's 62 years of statehood, Nelson and Nelson would like to showcase this charming pair of antique Indian earrings from our collection:

This pair of Indian 18K gold stud earrings consists of a stylized gold flower inlaid with rose-cut diamonds that are surrounded by a circular border of emerald beads. In excellent condition, these earrings also feature a beautifully enameled gold mount that is visible from the back. For more information, click here. 

Don't forget to explore our other fine antique jewelry for every occasion! If you're interested in selling us your antique jewelry, click here. 

Silver: The Wonder Metal!

We're certainly big fans of silver here at Nelson and Nelson, but this article from the Guardian has silver trivia that even we didn't know! This fascinating, light-sensitive, edible (yes, edible!) metal can be used to treat burns and create photgraphs, and has the highest reflectivity of any metal, which is why everyone loves beautiful objects crafted from silver, whether it's a simple silver chain or antique sterling silver candlesticks. Want to know more about silver? Check out this video!

 

 

 

Brighten Winter Days With Antique Silver Vases

In the gloom of winter, we always find that fresh flowers are a wonderful way to brighten up a room. But why put a fabulous arrangement of roses or lilies in a cheap glass vase? A beautiful container should be as gorgeous as the flowers it holds, and at Nelson and Nelson, we have a fine selection of exquisite vases to choose from. 


This fabulous, tall antique American sterling silver Art Nouveau figural bud vase is decorated with a stylized peony as the opening, as well as applied leaves and an entwined stem. This vase was made circa 1905 by Redlich Mfg. Co. of New York City exclusively for The Hardy & Hayes Co., which was most likely a small, independent jeweler that consigned various silversmiths to craft decorative items for their retail shop. For more information, click here. 

This beautiful Art Nouveau silver overlay vase has emerald green glass and is intricately design with large flowers and leaves. Large flowers cover the base of the vase and just below the upper rim. The leaves intertwine around the neck of the vase. Made circa 1900, this vase has Alvin hallmarks and is also marked 999/100 G3485-1. For more information, click here. 

This eight-sided Tiffany fluted sterling silver vase is decorated with a beautiful acid etched design of bows, garlands and neoclassical roundels. The design coordinates well with Tiffany’s “Winthrop” pattern flatware. Made by Tiffany & Co. circa 1910, the vase is fully hallmarked with pattern number 18377 A, order number 3224 and the “m” date stamp from this period. For more information, click here. 

 

Unusual Sterling Silver Antiques

Here at Nelson and Nelson, we come across all sorts of interesting objects from past ages, such as tastevins, lorgnettes, and vinaigrettes.

What's a vinaigrette, you ask? It certainly has nothing to do with the salad course. It's actually a small silver, gold or porcelain box that was particularly popular among well-to-do ladies of the 18th and 19th centuries. Beneath the hinged lid is a small screen, which held a sponge soaked in a scented liquid like vinegar or lavender water. Whenever the woman walked along a particularly pungent street, or felt faint, she'd open up the vinaigrette and take a whiff to steel herself. 

This lovely sterling silver vinaigrette was made by a Birmingham silversmith in 1827. The hinged, rectangular box has is decorated on the top and bottom with deep, horizontal grooves. The lid has a small rectangular plaque with an engraved monogram, and a partial, chased floral border. The gold-washed interior has a hinged grille with a lovely pierced design of delicate leafy scrolls. For more information, click here.