Curiosities

A large 18ct75% pure gold (or 750 parts pure gold and 250 parts other metals) More gold and agateAn ornamental stone consisting of a hard variety of chalcedony (quartz), typically banded in appearance. More oval tie pin. The translucent naturalA natural stone is called such because it has not been subjected to any treatments.  More dendritic agate has been especially chosen because it appears like a tree within. Dendritic agates has been called the stone of plentitude. With metaphysical properties encouraging growth, perseverance, and abundance, no wonder it was such a popular stone during the VictorianJewellery made in the the Victorian era (1839-1901). More era. It was made circa 1880.}

This is a handsome watch in good working condition. It was made between 1910-1920. The watch has a crown wind movement, and shows the hour, minute and small second. The white enamel dial is fitted with black Roman numerals and Breguet hands. The case shows a decorative Niello décor and a monogrammed cartouche 'EO' of rose gold on the front cover. Niello is a black mixture of copper silver and lead sulphides used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal. It is a complicated process and the end result is lovely. }

An attractive Art Deco ladies watch. The case is 18ct gold with an enamel design on either side and bordered with leaves. The sides are also decorated. The strap is a gold plated mesh strap marked Tessuflex. The movement is by the Swiss firm "Mira". It was established in 1896. It's name was derived from a binary star, 350 light years away from Earth. The star was discovered by astronomer David Fabricius in 1596 and later named by Johannes Hevelius in 1662 as “MIRA”, meaning “wonderful” and “astonishing” in Latin. }

A good set of eight buttons that were made circa 1880. They are ‘Papier mâché’. This is a term used to describe lots of objects made in slightly different ways, but all using mashed up paper and some sort of paste. The paper would be pressed into a cast to mould it into the desired shape. In the late 1700s, a man called Henry Clay found a new way to make papier mâché by pasting 10 sheets of rag paper on both sides with a mixture of cooked glue and flour, and then squeezing them together in a metal press. After pressing, the sheets were drenched in linseed oil, which made them waterproof, and then dried at 1000°f (just over 500°c). These buttons are a good example of the craft and have been inlaid with mother of pearl in the shape of leaves and flowers }

A good set of six silver buttons that were designed by Theodor Fahrner. Fahrner was one of the foremost designers in Pforzheim in the Black Forrest in Southern Germany. The factory was a major player in the production of well designed good quality jewellery in the Art Deco period. The designs were way ahead of their time and took the world by storm. These buttons have each been set with a cabochon cut turquoise within a spider's web design. They were made in 1903 and are typical of the Art Nouveau style that was popular at the time. They are in a tan leather case lined in velvet and silk }

A pretty pair of silver hair pins that would have been used to fix a chignon. The tops have been engraved with a diamond and dot design. They were made circa 1860. It is lovely to have a pair still intact }

A rare quizzing glass that was made circa 1820. On the front there is much attention to detail in the engraved surfaces and repousse work around the central glazed section and on the top ring. Inside the glazed section is patterned red material. The reverse has a plain centre with radiating engraved detail. Guilloche or engine turning is the term given to these very fine, intricate geometric patterns which were mechanically engraved into silver and gold. The machine used to produce this effect is called a lathe which uses a rotating drive which turns the piece being worked on against changeable cutting tools. The quizzer pulls out and has further repousse detail around it. Repoussé, is a method of decorating metals in which parts of the design are raised in relief from the back or the inside of the article by means of hammers and punches; definition and detail can then be added from the front by chasing or engraving. So this piece of jewellery is a fine example of the jeweller's craft and has a practical use. The quizzing glass has roughly a times five magnification. }

A rare pair of large cloak buttons that were made circa 1840. They have each been engraved on horn with a coaching scene. They would be great to have in a button collection or to wear attached to a cloak. }

An unusual and large silver buckle that was made circa 1800. It is highly decorative and can be worn as a belt buckle. }

A fine example of a late 19th century tortoiseshell hair comb with applied gold decoration. The decoration is extremely elaborate and incorporates baroque foliage of roses and flowers. This decorative element is held in place with fine rivets which pass through the shell and can be seen from the back. It is based on the Spanish peineta that is used to hold up a mantilla. This ornamental comb, usually made in tortoiseshell originated in the 19th century. It consists of a convex body and a set of prongs and is often used in conjunction with the mantilla. It adds the illusion of extra height to the wearer and also holds the hair in place when worn during weddings, processions and dances. }

A striking hair pin or hat pin that was made circa 1860. It is faceted Vauxhall glass in a flower design. }

A most unusual early version of a Vesta. This literally means a lighter. It is named after Vesta, the Roman goddess of fire and the hearth. It is French and has a pullout flint which when struck on the side of the vesta ignites. This would have once suspended from a fob chain or an Albert chain. Highly collectable. }

An unusual silver buckle with two miniatures on ivory, made circa 1890. Each panel features a figure of a man and a woman within a mountainous landscape. The buckle has been beautifully engraved. }

Sampson Mordan who was born in 1790 and died in 1843. He was a silversmith and a co-inventor of the first patented mechanical pencil. During his youth, he was an apprentice of the inventor and locksmith Joseph Bramah, who patented the first elastic ink reservoir for a fountain pen. In 1822, Mordan and his co-inventor John Isaac Hawkins filed the first patent in Great Britain for a metal pencil with an internal mechanism for propelling the graphite “lead” shaft forward during use, as an improvement on the less complex lead holders that merely clutched the pencil lead to hold it into a single position. These pencils are now highly collectible Mordan bought out Hawkins and entered into a business partnership with Gabriel Riddle, an established stationer. From 1823 to 1837, they manufactured and sold silver mechanical pencils with the marking “SMGR”. After the partnership with Riddle dissolved, Mordan continued to sell his silver pencils as “S. Mordan & Co.” This gold pencil is marked S.Mordan & Co. It can be worn on a medium length chain on its own or with other items. }

A very striking and quite large 9ct gold clasp that was made circa 1800-1820. It has been set with twenty foiled flat cut almandine garnet. Within them are well matched natural split pearls. In the centre is finely woven hair so this piece of jewellery was most likely a memorial clasp and would originally been attached to seven strands of pearls or a velvet band and worn as a bracelet. It has a clasp on either side and the letters MR engraved on the reverse. }

A good hand made silver quizzing glass that was made circa 1820. It would look great on a silver chain. }

A pretty watch key made circa 1820 that has been set with a bloodstone on one side and a pale agate on the other. These small watch keys are highly decorative and can be worn on their own, on a charm bracelet, or with a small collection of other keys and seals on a mid length chain. }

A lovely 18ct gold sûreté pin with a blue chalcedony bead on either end that was made in the 1920s. Between the two sections of the beads are faceted rock crystal. The one bead can be unscrewed in order to attach it through clothing. A sûreté is a stick pin with a fixed ornament on one end and a detachable ornament on the other. There was a fashion for these pins in the early 1900s. They come in all shapes and sizes from Chinese influenced ones to quite simple and striking pins such as this one. }

A clip that was made in the 1920s in France and carved out of horn in a leaf design. Clips such as this one were very popular in the 1920s and can be worn as an accessory today equally well. }

Sampson Mordan who was born in 1790 and died in 1843, was a silversmith and a co-inventor of the first patented mechanical pencil. During his youth, he was an apprentice of the inventor and locksmith Joseph Bramah, who patented the first elastic ink reservoir for a fountain pen. In 1822, Mordan and his co-inventor John Isaac Hawkins filed the first patent in Great Britain for a metal pencil with an internal mechanism for propelling the graphite "lead" shaft forward during use, as an improvement on the less complex lead holders that merely clutched the pencil lead to hold it into a single position. These pencils are now highly collectible Mordan bought out Hawkins and entered into a business partnership with Gabriel Riddle, an established stationer. From 1823 to 1837, they manufactured and sold silver mechanical pencils with the marking "SMGR". After the partnership with Riddle dissolved, Mordan continued to sell his silver pencils as "S. Mordan & Co." This gold pencil which also has a pen nib is marked S.Mordan & Co. Inset in to the top is a bloodstone with an engraved monogram. }

A useful silver quizzer as they are called. It was made in 1903 in Birmingham. It has good magnification to times ten as a rough estimate. These types of quizzers alway look great worn on a medium length silver chain. They are decorative and very practical pieces of jewellery. }

An unusual articulated silver hanging brooch with a watch inside. It was most likely made in Germany in the 1920s. It has been set with graded marcasite (iron pyrites) in a palmette design that was strongly influenced by the Egyptian discoveries in that period. }

A striking Victorian hair pin which could also be worn in a hat. The design is based on a flower with radiating petals in Vauxhall glass. It was made circa 1880 when it was fashionable to wear black jewellery in sympathy with the Queen, Victoria, who was in mourning for Prince Albert. }

A fine quality 18ct gold watch with a bow brooch above. It was made circa 1900, and is most probably French made for export as it carries "18K" marks. The deep blue enamel is translucent so that you can see the rays of engine turned engraving beneath. The lyre motif is set with rose diamonds. There are tiny "fleur de lis" applied in gold around the lyre. The bow brooch is also set with rose diamonds and has applied stars within the blue and white enamel. }

A set of six buttons with scenes of a stag in woodland, Hunting dogs, a sportsman with gun, a rabbit, a pheasant and a fox. They were made in France circa 1880-1900. We also have another set of six if wanted. }

This 9ct gold and gun metal mounted pencil was made circa 1890. It has the original pencil inside. Pieces like this pencil can be worn with a bunch of other things and look best on a mid length gold chain. }

A 9ct gold pencil that can be worn as an item on a chain with other pieces. It is a decorative piece and pulls out to reveal the pencil. It was made circa 1880-1900. }

A good, large and striking 18th century silver buckle. It was made in France circa 1780-1800, and has a two wonderful bows top and bottom. }

Spanning the reigns of 16 British Monarchs, Firmin & Sons, at the age of 360 years, can be said to be one of the 25 oldest established companies in the United Kingdom and is among the 500 oldest companies in the world. They have produced some of the finest buttons over the years. This set has six large and six small buttons with a crest of an eagle. They may well have been made for a High Sheriff. They are silver fronted with metal backs. }

A most unusual Art NouveauJewellery made in the Art Nouveau era (1890-1915). More gold pen which features a pansy coiling around the stem. It is set with a sapphireBlue is the best-known colour for this gemstone but it can be found in all colours of the spectrum. After diamond, sapphire is the hardest gemstone. More. It is most likely Austrian origin and is 14ct58.5% pure gold (or 585 parts pure gold to 415 parts other metals) More gold, and was made circa 1900-1910. It comes in the original case.}

An unusual pair of hatpins which are composed of amethyst, rock crystal and rose quartz. They are in the shape of acorns and in their original Vickery case. They were made circa 1900-1910. }

A fine example of Marcasite (iron pyrites) work inlaid in Sterling Silver with detailed strap. The hallmark dates the watch to 1960, made in Birmingham with maker's mark 'Y & E'. The round face is easy to read and is marked 'Provita'. }

A very intriguing piece, this miniature, painted on ivory, is highly detailed. It has a silver frame and was most likely made circa 1870, although it could be earlier. }

A good pair of GeorgianJewellery made in the Georgian era (1714-1830). More cut steel buckles which have a left and a right setting in their original case.}

For anyone who needs a little magnification, these lorgnettes are great, and very stylish to wear. The main body is tortoishelle with silverA metallic element which is malleable and ductile, and white in colour, making it ideal for use in jewellery. It is usually mixed with copper to improve its hardness. More hinges etc. These were made circa 1890.}