The Silver Antiques Insider

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. 

Happy Bastille Day From Nelson And Nelson!

Exactly 222 years ago on this day, a group of armed burgeoisie stormed the Bastille--an act that would serve as a critical touchpoint for the French Revolution. Today, the French (and Francophiles everywhere) honor the day the way they do best: with food and celebration. If you're in the mood to celebrate, Nelson and Nelson has some lovely suggestions to get in the spirit. Vive le France!

What's a celebration without a little luxury? This set of six beautifully crafted French Art Deco silver handled caviar spreaders feature tortoise shells blades and are styled in a classic, simple design indicative of this coveted era. They are fully hallmarked with the French 1st standard silver stamp for 950/1000 Silver and a maker's mark. For more information, click here. 

Lighten things up with this gorgeous pair of antique French 1st Standard Silver Louis XV Style candelabra. Made circa 1880, they are beautifully cast, chased and engraved in the lyrical Louis XV Style. The 7 light branches are detachable from the candlesticks, which have removable weights for added stability. These Louis XV Style Candelabra are a true collectors dream and would add grace and elegance to any home. For more information, click here.

Be the center of the party with this antique French 18k yellow gold hinged bangle bracelet featuring two intertwined figural snakes. Each snake head is engraved with delicate etching and adorned with a European cut gemstone-one diamond and ruby on the top its head and small diamond eyes. For more information, click here.

Van Cleef & Arpels: Set In Style

If you're a vintage jewelry fan who's lucky enough to be in New York City this month, head up to the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and take a tour of their special exhibition dedicated to the legendary jewelry firm Van Cleef & Arpels.

According to their website, the exhibition (which runs through July 4th) is the "most comprehensive exhibition ever organized of Van Cleef & Arpels’ masterworks" and includes "350 pieces from VC&A’s collection and international private collections, augmented by never-before-seen drawings from VC&A’s design archives and by related objects from Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum’s permanent collection."

Of course, the exhibition includes such Van Cleef & Arpel classics such as the minaudière and the Zip Necklace, which was inspired by the Duchess of Windsor.

If you're inspired by the exhibit, stop by Nelson and Nelson in the Pierre Hotel to admire our vintage Van Cleef & Arpel offerings, including this beautiful pin and earring set from their Zipper collection:

This magnificent Van Cleef & Arpels 18 karat yellow gold and diamond brooch and earclips set was made in Paris, France in the 1950s. The earclips are hallmarked with the complete Van Cleef set of markings and numbered 25759. The pin is fully marked as well and is numbered 31064,1. In all, the diamonds total approximately 5.0 carats and are of approximately F color and approximately VS clarity. It is rare to find an earring and brooch set today in such excellent condition, and this gorgeous set is perfect for those special dinners, cocktail parties, and even the formal soiree. For more information on this beautiful set, click here.

Antique Silver Scandal!

The buying and selling of antique silver generally constitutes a friendly connoisseur transaction all around, but when you're the Canadian government and you've offloaded almost $100,000 worth of antiques for a measly $3,934, it's bound to attract a little press attention.

The red-faced officials of Rideau Hall, the official residence and workplace of every governor general of Canada since 1867, cleaned out a storeroom and put "tablecloths, ashtrays and Christmas decorations"--along with valuable antique china and silver that included three sterling flower baskets inscribed to the Duke of York that were on loan from Buckingham Palace--on the Crown Assets government disposal website for auction. Canada's Governor General is the representative of the British Crown in Canada. The government originally sold the baskets, which had been presented as gifts to Queen Elizabeth's grandparents, for $532, and paid $50,000 to buy them back.