Kaleidoscope effect

Jewellery kaleidoscope

Category Archive: Vintage

American jewelry company Silson Inc of New York

American jewelry company Silson Inc of New York

Key brooch with figural charms, Designer Victor Silson. Gold-plated metal. 7cm. American jewelry company Silson Inc of New York

American jewelry company Silson Inc of New York
The history of Silson jewellery spans a short period – a little more than a decade. Founded in 1937 by two brothers Victor and Jack Silberfeld, British citizens, who later changed their name to Silson. The main designer, whose name we meet most frequently, was Victor Silson. However, among other designers who worked for Silson were Samuel Rubin and George Stangl. Also, three more jewelry designers – Howard Chandler Christy, Sue Harrison and Sally Stark worked for the company.
Traditionally, Silson designers used gold-plated metal, enamel, lucite and rhinestones.
Noteworthy, Silson became famous for their line of patriotic and military jewelry produced during the WWII. In particular, brooches depicting American Eagle, Flag, Air Forces, British and American Ambulance Corps, or The Young Women’s Christian Association.
According to various sources, Silson Inc. of New York ceased to exist in the late 1940s. And the designers of Silson company later worked for the Mexican Spratling Co., which specialized in sterling silver jewelry.
More »

Krementz vintage costume jewellery

Krementz vintage costume jewellery

Garden rose brooch. jewelry alloy, 14 carat gold plating. Krementz vintage costume jewellery

Krementz vintage costume jewellery
A famous brand tested by time, a rather large collection of Krementz jewelry was on board of the Titanic when it sank. Traditionally high quality products, Krementz became popular thanks to the use of high-gold gilding. Because of this, their decorations look absolutely authentic. Noteworthy, the company has a long history – about 160 years!.
The history of the iconic brand began in the 1860s, when George Krementz founded his company in Newark, New Jersey. Initially, the company created men’s jewelry, but in 1920, it began the production of jewelry for women. Thanks to high quality craftsmanship, design and materials, the jewelry quickly became popular. As a result, already in mid 1930s, Krementz began selling its products internationally.
Back to 1886, Krementz craftsmen used gold inlay and gilding 30 times thicker than commonly used in the manufacture of expensive jewelry. The intention was to create something in between a jewelry and precious jewels.
More »

Francisco Rebajes copper jewellery art

Francisco Rebajes copper jewellery art

African head with necklace and earrings copper brooch with the image of an exotic Ubangi girl. The end of the 1940s. 8 cm. £ 200-240 CRIS. Francisco Rebajes copper jewellery art

Francisco Rebajes copper jewellery art
Born in Spain in 1906, the future jewelry designer, 16 year-old Francisco Rebajes moved to New York City in 1922. Like all emigrants, he took on any job. In 1932, he married Pauline Schwartz, against the wishes of her parents. Paulina and Frank began living in their friends’ apartment, where Frank set up a small workshop.
The first collection of figures that Rebajes made from cans impressed the director of the Whitney Museum, Julian Fors, who bought it. This was the beginning of the great master’s journey.
In 1934 he opened a studio shop in New York City. Frank’s career reached its peak in the 1950s, when he had a store on Fifth Avenue. These years, Rebajes sold his products throughout the country. He employed more than 100 jewelers, embodying his designs. However, by 1967 he stopped making jewellery and had to sell his shops and workshops, due to his wife’s severe illness.
More »

American vintage – Regency costume jewelry

American vintage - Regency costume jewelry

Blue rhinestones butterfly brooch. 1950s. Regency costume jewelry

Regency costume jewelry
The history of American costume jewelry brand Regency began in New York City in the 1950s. Founded by the Polowitz family who owned Regina Novelty Company, which ceased to exist in 1973. Due to the short period of its existence (1950s – 1973), the company has created not so many jewelry collections. Accordingly, all Regency creations is a good find for collectors of vintage costume jewelry, the price of which grows every year.

Traditionally recognizable classic style of Regency is always royal! Faithful to this direction throughout its twenty-year existence, the favorite motif of Regency bijoux was a butterfly, made in bright unexpected shades and spectacular forms. Also, many decorations have leafy and floral motifs with the rich use of high-quality rock crystal in contrasting or complementary color combinations.

Noteworthy, renewed in 1973, Regency trademark owned by W. Bell & Co., Inc. ceased to exist in 1995.
More »

British jewelry designer Vivienne Westwood

British jewelry designer Vivienne Westwood

Royal crown. Velvet, faux fur, gold-tone metal, artificial pearls, transparent crystals and transparent rhinestone. 1980s. 16 cm £ 500-550 REL. British jewelry designer Vivienne Westwood

British jewelry designer Vivienne Westwood
Renowned fashion designer Vivienne Westwood (born in 1941) began creating jewelry in the 1960s, while she was working as a primary school teacher. She founded the eponymous brand in 1981 and opened a shop at Kings Road, London, where she exhibited collections of clothing and jewelry.
For most of her works she used silver or gilded tin, Swarovski crystals and large faux pearls. Bows, hearts and royal regalia are the constant motives of the original design of Westwood ornaments.
Called one of the queens of Great Britain, along with Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher, Vivienne Westwood always remains at the peak of popularity. According to Vivienne herself, she is a synonym for freedom, attention, violation of prohibitions and rules.
Inspired by the ideas of her husband Malcolm McLaren, a member of the Sex Pistols group, Vivienne began creating something unusual, which brought her the name of Mother of Punk. It was her shop that a significant part of the rebellious anarchist youth of London chose.

More »

Antique Scottish pebble agate jewelry

Antique Scottish pebble agate jewelry

Leaf brooch. Silver, red, black, purple and marsh agate. 1880s 6 cm. £ 400-700 LYNH. Antique Scottish pebble agate jewelry

Antique Scottish pebble agate jewelry
Scottish silver products with the inserts of agate, granite and other local stones became popular when Queen Victoria, proud of her Scottish ancestors, bought Balmoral Castle in 1848.
Traditionally, from the time of the Roman Empire, craftsmen used agate and a variety of chalcedony and usually carved jewelry pieces in the form of oval cabochon or figurines. The colors of agate — swampy green, rusty red and ocher — combined with the gray tones of granite matched the palette of the Scottish landscape. Agate biotechnology sometimes inherited the forms of Celtic embellishments. For example, a dagger brooch or a round brooch with a long hanging pin, a harp, a Celtic cross and heraldic attributes for a weapon. All – made of polished agate, trimmed in silver with engraving.
More »

Joseph Warner vintage costume jewellery

Joseph Warner vintage costume jewellery

Mechanical brooch. The flower closes and opens the petals when pull the leaf. Gold tone, transparent rhinestones. Joseph Warner vintage costume jewellery

Joseph Warner vintage costume jewellery
Founded by Joseph Warner in 1953, the Warner company produced jewelry till 1971. Known for its high quality workmanship, Warner jewellery is made of gold tone alloy, lacquered metal, enamel, rock crystals and fine rhinestones.
Traditionally, the design includes flowers, insects, animal and figural motifs. Noteworthy, in addition to traditional costume jewellery design, Warner produced a series of floral brooches with innovative motifs. In particular, mechanical brooches from the “day-night” series equipped with a cunning “opening and closing” mechanism. Among them – umbrella and flower brooches.
The company ceased operations in 1971. Today, all costume jewellery signed Warner, or Joseph Warner is collectible and constantly increases in price.
More »