The Silver Antiques Insider

It's A Triple Crown Of Silver Antiques At Nelson And Nelson!

It's Triple Crown Season! For the Kentucky Derby last weekend, Nelson and Nelson was rooting for Gemologist and Creative Cause (although, of course, if there was a horse named Antique Sterling Speedster, we would have placed all of our hypothetical bets on that one!). In two weeks there's the Preakness, and then the Belmont Stakes comes here to New York in June. If you've been feeling a bit like a member of the horsey set lately, you'll love our beautiful horse-inspired objets d'art: 

This German 800 silver figural polo player on horse, made circa 1910, features beautiful and realistic workmanship. In pristine condition, it weighs 10 troy ounces and is fully hallmarked with the half moon and crown mark and 800 on the bottom of one of the horse’s feet. For more information, click here. 

This is a beautiful English sterling silver and enamel compact with scene of a female rider and her stead accompanied by a group of hounds. The back of the compact is decorated with a classic design of engine-turned engraving. Inside the compact is a mirror in perfect condition as well as space for pressed powder. Made by H C D Makers of Birmingham in 1927, the compact is fully hallmarked and in excellent condition. For more information, click here. 



This circa 1920 American sterling silver cigarette case has a horse head prominently displayed on the lid; the engraving carefully mimics the texture of the horse's skin and mane. Gilded on the inside and marked Sterling with American makers marks, this case in in excellent condition. For more information, click here. 

Keep Reading With Beautiful Antique Silver

It's been a beautiful May so far here in New York- especially since it's Get Caught Reading Month! Here at Nelson and Nelson, we love a good book, especially if it's the lovely antique version that still has pages and a beautiful cover! If you're looking to make your reading experience a bit more luxurious, explore these gorgeous antique silver reading accessories from our Pierre Hotel store location.


This is a most unusual letter opener/page turner made in London 1886 by Ebenezer Newman. The top is in the form of a large parrot head with glass eyes, with well-worked engraved figural feathers. The wooden blade features a very dark finish. An original monogram (A.L.E.) is on the slightly gilded mount above the wood blade, and a full set of Victorian sterling silver hallmarks are on the head. For more information, click here.


Keep your place with this beautiful sterling silver paper clip, decorated with an ornate scroll and leaf design. The raised pedestal holds the hinged mechanism that lifts up to secure a page, note, invitation, etc. This clip was made by Frank W. Smith Co. Inc. of Gardner, Massachusetts and dates to 1895. It is fully hallmarked with a beautiful patina. For more information, click here. 


This beautiful English magnifying glass features a swirled sterling silver handle inlaid with multicolored Scottish agate. Made in Birmingham in 1894, it is in excellent condition. For more information, click here. 

Thinking Of Selling Your Antique Silver? Consider Nelson and Nelson

With the price of silver still high, people everywhere have been selling their unused antique silver and jewelry. At Nelson and Nelson, we understand that people often inherit antique sterling and antique silver or antique jewelry that may not be to their taste, or that is so infrequently used that it makes sense to sell it. This harrowing article demonstrates, however, how in the rush to unload unwanted antique silver and gold jewelry, people are unwittingly sending rare and priceless pieces to the smelter. “I would imagine 25-30% of our heritage of gold and silver antique jewelry has been scrapped in the last two years,” says one British auctioneer. 

So why sell to Nelson and Nelson? We take the time to properly value your antique silver and antique jewelry, and when we buy antique silver and gold we'll never, ever scrap your items. Instead, we'll lovingly curate them until the right buyer comes along. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

For more on how to sell us your antique silver, click here.

For more on how to sell us your antique jewelry, click here. 

Russian Antique Silver Treasure!

Some of the beautiful antique silver recently discovered in a Russian mansion, via

Talk about a treasure trove! Workers restoring a 19th-century mansion in St. Petersburg, Russia, recently made an extraordinary discovery: 

"[M]ore than 1,000 pieces of jewelry, silver service sets stamped with the name of one of Russia’s most prominent noble families, mirrors and brushes in silver frames. Many of them were wrapped in newspapers dated from the early months of 1917, as Russia careened toward the Bolshevik Revolution that ended life as the nobles had known it."

via

Where will this extraordinary antique silver collection go? The renovators of the palace, which served as a workers' canteen during the Soviet Union, would like to put them on display in a new cultural center on site. Meanwhile, the head of a regional Communist organization is applying for ownership, claiming that the stash was nationalized property under the U.S.S.R. 

via

For more on this remarkable antique silver discovery, click here. 

Antique Tiffany Silver- More Desirable By Two?

In a recent auction in Pennsylvania, a pair of Tiffany sterling candelabra, estimated between $60,000 and $80,000, sold for a whopping $111,600, while a pair of Tiffany silver bowls sold for more than twice their estimate. According to the auction house CEO, "[O]ne candelabrum exactly like those in our auction sold for around $20,000 at one of the big New York auction houses several months ago. They're obviously much more desirable as a pair." 

If you're looking at a smart investment in Tiffany silver, consider these recent auction results and take a look at the lovely Tiffany silver pairings available at Nelson and Nelson. 

This pair of Tiffany & Co. sterling silver vases, circa 1920, is acid-etched in a most unusual flora and fauna design. The tree-like stem of the flower flares with leaves at its base and at two intervals, then blossoms to reveal a multitude of leaves and round daisy-like flowers. This pattern is repeated around the vase in perfect symmetry. Its overall effect is one of a more modern Arts & Crafts execution, and the effect is stunning! This pair of vases is in excellent condition and is fully hallmarked with the Tiffany & Co. Makers stamp, the date mark, the pattern number and the order number. For more information, click here. 

This is a beautiful pair of sterling silver candlesticks by Tiffany & Co. in a timeless neoclassical design based on a Georgian model. Made in 1915, each candlestick stands on a stepped square base and has a tapered column-shaped body and an urn-shaped socket with removable circular wax pan. The base is trimmed with small beaded bands and swaged fabric studded with flowers. These candlesticks are in excellent condition and are fully hallmarked. For more information, click here. 

Designed in the figural style of 18th century Continental spice boxes, this unusual pair of antique American sterling silver salt and pepper shakers was made by Tiffany & Co. circa 1885. They are in excellent condition and fully hallmarked. For more information, click here. 

Celebrate February With Antique Hearts From Nelson & Nelson

February is National Heart Month, and here at Nelson and Nelson we'd like to draw attention to the importance of cardiovascular health through beautiful representations of the human heart across the ages. Hearts represent some of the most important things in life--love and family--so make sure you take care of yours today!

This fabulous antique American heart-shaped sterling silver hinged-top vanity box is decorated with an applied design of floral and bow swags, cornucopia vases and a circular acanthus leaf monogram plate adorned with a finial crown. A finely braided acanthus border adorns the edges of the box, polishing its style to perfection. The interior of the box has been lined in black velvet making it a terrific jewelry container. Made by Howard & Co., New York, New York, in 1896. For more information, click here. 

Executed in 14K gold, this very pretty Edwardian-style pin is in the shape of a heart tied with a bow. The heart has wonderful scroll decoration while the furling ribbon bow that wraps around it has a textured matte background with delicate pale blue and white enameled flowers. Tucked in the ribbon is a gold stickpin-style piece topped with a circular, cut diamond. This lovely pin is a charming example of American jewelry design from the period around 1900. For more information, click here.

This is a charming sterling silver nut dish by the renowned silversmiths at Gorham in a gorgeous Victorian design. Made circa 1900, this heart-shaped dish stands on three ball feet and has an intricately detailed bowl with chased and repousséd scrolls, pierced quatrefoil designs and a dynamic scroll and flower border. This bowl is in excellent condition and is one of four we have available. For more information, click here.

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. 

Antique Jewelry Makes A Stunning Investment

Unfortunately, to say that the global economy has been rather shaky lately would be, ahem, an understatement. Fortunately, according to The Financial Times, there still is a safe investment option out there--antique jewelry: 

Investing in gold or silver jewellery not only benefits from the price of the precious metal going up, but it also appreciates with age and rarity, so you can make double the gains compared with just holding gold or silver bullion. Additionally, since inventory is fixed and often in short supply, finding that one-of-a-kind piece could make a savvy investor a lot of money.

According to Francois Curiel, international head of jewellery at Christie’s auction house. the most sought-after pieces currently are from the Art Deco-period. If you're considering a smart investment, explore some of the exemplary Art Deco jewelry we offer at Nelson and Nelson. If you are interested in selling your antique jewelry, please contact us as well! 

 

This fabulous Art Deco platinum, enamel, and diamond clip, probably by William Scheer for Raymond Yard, was crafted circa 1930. The clip is designed as an enamel plaque with a flying duck, framed by platinum-set beads and channel-set diamond baguettes totaling approximately total 3.50 carats. While unsigned, this clip is documented on page 66 of Masterpieces of American Jewelry by Judith Price. For more information, click here. 

 

This elegant Art Deco platinum and diamond straight line bracelet, circa 1930, is composed of 42 prong-set box-form platinum sections, each holding a round diamond. The total weight of the 42 diamonds is approximately 4.0 carats. For more information, click here. 

 

Silver Antiques Big Enough To Bathe In??

via and Temple Newsam House

Talk about a wine cooler! This 18th-century silver wine cooler weighs about 150 pounds and, according to the BBC, is "almost big enough to bathe in." Originally purchased at a UK auction last year for more than 2.5 million pounds (about 4 million dollars), it was about to be exported when a consortium of British cultural organizations, calling the massive silver cooler an item of "national significance," rallied to purchase the antique piece. 

According to the National Heritage Memorial Fund:

The cooler was commissioned by Thomas Wentworth, 3rd Baron Raby and later Earl of Stafford, when he became the ambassador to Berlin in 1706. It is the largest of three surviving ambassadorial coolers in the UK...[and] would have formed part of the large collection of silver typically taken abroad by British ambassadors to entertain in a style worthy of their sovereign. It was used during the ceremonial surrounding the serving of wine, which was the fashion in the grand dining rooms of the early 18th century.

The cooler was created by Phiip Rollos the Elder, described by the Art Fund as "an English goldsmith, possibly of French birth – his surviving work shows a strong influence of the Huguenot style. He ran one of the most successful workshops in London during the late 17th century, and was appointed subordinate goldsmith to both William III and Queen Anne. Following his death he was succeeded in the role by his son, Philip Rollos the Younger."

If you happen to be in Leeds, stop by the Temple Newsam House, where this amazing item of antique silver is on display. 

And if your interest antique silver wine items has been piqued, explore the silver wine accessories we're currently featuring at Nelson and Nelson. Unfortunately, we cannot (at this time) offer an item big enough to bathe in!

Celebrate National Writing Day With Antique Silver

Today is the National Day on Writing, and here at Nelson and Nelson we'd like to happily acknowledge all of the wonderful ways that the innate qualities of silver have inspired classic English idioms and phrases such as "born with a silver spoon in his mouth," "on a silver platter," "silver-tongued," "silver bullet," and "the silver screen." As you most likely notice, they all denote wealth or quality. Then there's also the writers who celebrate the beauty of silver:

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. --Langston Hughes


Celebrate the writer in your life with this beautiful and rare sterling silver double ink well and tray by the premier American silversmiths at Tiffany & Co. The Wave Edge pattern of the ball-footed rectangular tray captures the essence of the Art Nouveau style. Each square inkwell, arranged on either side of a central compartment, features its original cobalt glass liner and has a domed lid embellished with vegetal decoration and a leafy finial; engraved scrolls accentuate the sides of the compartments. Like all of Tiffany’s work this double inkwell has been expertly crafted and decorated from heavy gauge silver with the utmost skill. For more information, click here.