The Silver Antiques Insider

Why We Love Etruscan Revival Jewelry

In the second half of the 19th century, archaeologists were capturing the imagination of the Victorian public with their breathtaking excavations of Etruscan tombs in Italy. And just as Napoleon's expedition to Egypt sparked a fascination with all things Egyptian, the discovery of lush Etruscan tombs inspired jewelers to re-create some of the amazing treasures that these ancient people took along with them into the afterlife. Antique Etruscan revival jewelry is distinctive and elaborate and here at Nelson and Nelson we're extremely proud to be able to showcase some remarkable examples of the genre. 

This fabulous antique English Victorian 15K gold locket is decorated with an intricate beaded Etruscan Revival design. The crest-shaped locket is mounted with an oval plaque mounted with another finely beaded stylized plaque with a small seed pearl ribbon at its center. An oval hinged cover on the back of the pendant opens to reveal the framed keepsake space. For more information, click here.

This unusual antique American 14K gold mesh bangle bracelet, circa 1900, features a finely woven mesh band and mounted with a large intricately beaded clasp. The two buttons on the top and bottom of the clasp release the well-secured lock. For more information, click here.

This beautiful antique English Victorian 15k gold necklace is designed with florets of intricate scroll work and delicate beading in keeping with the much celebrated Etruscan Revival period. Exquisitely carved coral teardrop pendants hang from four florets. For more information, click here.

Antique Jewelry As Gifts Of Modern Style

Many people discount the idea of antique jewelry as a forward-thinking gift because they think of vintage gems as overly frou-frou or fusty, like a debutante's tiara or the tired brooch that Aunt Ivy's been donning every Thanksgiving for the last four decades. Which is why here at Nelson and Nelson we'd like to bring your attention to some dazzling recent acquisitions in our antique jewelry department. They're decidedly modern head-turners for this holiday season!

This gorgeous antique Victorian 15-karat gold and semi-precious stone set bracelet was made circa 1880 and features nine hinged gold plaques that are beautifully designed to frame semi-precious stones, including two pink topazes, two citrines, two amethysts, two aquamarines and one garnet. The bracelet is in very good condition with an indecipherable hallmark on one section of the bracelet next to the clasp. For more information, click here. 

This striking French 18-karat yellow gold and citrine necklace is a beautiful example of jewelry made in the "Archeological Revival" or "Etruscan" style circa 1870, with graduated gold pendants alternating with collet-set citrines. The tongue of the clasp is hallmarked with the maker’s mark “MB” in a lozenge along with the French 18-karat gold mark. For more information, click here.

Exquisite Antique Jewelry From Eugene Fontenay

At Nelson and Nelson, we are always especially pleased to highlight objects of particular aesthetic and historical importance, and our recent acquisition of this gold locket with diamond accents, attributed to Eugene Fontenay, is no different. 

One of the most celebrated goldsmiths of 19th century France, Fontenay (1823-1887) was particularly embraced for his exquisite use of the ancient gold-smithing traditions of filigree and granulation to create beautiful pieces of jewelry reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman designs, with a decidedly (albeit 19th-century) modern twist. Examples of Fontenay's work are featured the some of the top museums of the world, including the Met and the British Museum.

This absolutely gorgeous 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and enamel locket, circa 1860, is attributed to Eugene Fontenay. Although it is unsigned, many of Fontenay’s pieces were not signed until the late 1860s. Eugene Richet, a well-known miniaturist who painted plaques used in Fontenay’s jewelry, most likely enameled this particular locket. The rose-cut diamonds surrounding the plaque are typical of Fontenay’s designs, while the granulated and rope-style appliqués on the locket are of extremely fine quality and execution. For more information on this extraordinary locket, click here. 

Antique Jewelry For Contemporary Tastes

New York City has been buzzing with Fashion Week festivities, and one of the prominent trends on the runways here has been a classically simple, streamlined silhouette. And while many assume that antique jewelry is often too fussy for modern tastes, Nelson and Nelson features some beautiful antique pieces that make a fabulous 21st-century statement. 

This unusual antique Victorian 15k yellow gold finely woven mesh rope chain features a beautifully formed figural snake head (with ruby eyes) and tail, which are delicately engraved to mimic the scaled skin of a reptile. Made in England circa 1880, this work of art is fully hallmarked and designed to hang just below the collar bone. For more information, click here.   

While these striking English Victorian 15 karat gold earrings were made around 1875 (during the height of the Industrial Revolution), they have a wonderfully contemporary aura. Approximately 1.5 inches in length, they are in excellent estate condition. For more information, click here. 

This timeless antique diamond, platinum and 14 karat gold Edwardian bangle bracelet was made in the U.S. circa 1910. The gold bangle frame is centered with a platinum and diamond-set geometric section featuring 9 Old Mine diamonds totaling approximately 1.0 carat. For more information, click here. 

More Than Just Antique Jewelry: David Webb

While Nelson and Nelson has a fine collection of antique jewelry, we also buy and sell signed jewelry from more recent decades. Among the pieces we have the pleasure of carrying are those designed by preeminent American jeweler David Webb.

From the moment he set up his jewelry business in 1945, with the backing of a New York socialite, Webb's designs caught the attention of the city's--and later the world's--elite. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Lee Radziwill, Elizabeth Taylor, the Duchess of Windsor, Doris Duke and Gloria Vanderbilt were among the style icons who wore David Webb. In fact, his following was so devoted that one client actually had her ashes spilled in front of his atelier on 57th Street! 

Sadly, Webb passed away in 1975 and his company was recently relaunched. Fortunately, the magnificence of his design still shines through in the remarkable vintage pieces we offer. 

 Elegant and substantial, this flexible 18 karat yellow gold David Webb necklace is designed as graduated ropework links. Made circa 1970 and in excellent condition, it has a removable section and can be worn at two different choker lengths. For more information, click here. 

These timeless 18 karat yellow gold hand-hammered oval dome earclips were made by David Webb, New York, circa 1970. They are in excellent condition with original patina and weigh a substantial 24.1 dwts. For more information, click here.