Traditional Scottish Luckenbooth brooch

Luckenbooth brooch
An ancient symbol of Scotland, and a traditional symbol of love and fidelity – Luckenbooth. The brooch received its name from the small shops – luckenbooths, located near the Cathedral of St. Giles. In Luckenbooths sold jewelry and other handicraft products of the XVI century. The first brooches were very small in size. It was believed that they could protect people from the evil eye and the influence of evil forces. Also stated that they could help new mothers, nursing mothers and infants.
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Closeup. Baroda pearl carpet

Baroda pearl carpet
On March 19, 2009, occurred an event, the news of which appeared on many news sites around the world. At the auction house Sotheby’s in Doha, Qatar, was sold a carpet, a unique example of pearl embroidery. Embroidered with beads, pearls and adorned with precious stones – emeralds, rubies, diamonds, and set in gold, the carpet size was 1,73m to 2,64m. According to experts, for every square decimeter of carpet the craftsman used nearly 5,000 pearls and beads. Overall, it took 2.2 million pearls and beads.
History of Baroda pearl carpet is just as amazing as it is. Created in the early 1860s, Pearl carpet was made on the orders of one of the richest Indian Maharaja – the ruler of Baroda Khanda Rao.
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Enameled thistle brooch with clear and purple tiny rhinestones, light enamel wear. Ralph DeRosa costume jewelry (1934-70s)

Ralph DeRosa costume jewelry
The history of exceptional in quality and design Derosa jewelry began in sunny Naples, Italy in 1884. Inherited the family business, Ralph de Rosa successfully conducted his business until 1905. As a man who wanted to significantly expand his own horizons, in the beginning of the last century he left for America – “the land of opportunities”.
Despite all the difficulties awaiting immigrant, Ralph DeRosa founded the eponymous company in 1934 in New York City. The next year, he launched his first collection “Meeting in Venice”. Nhe dedicated the collection to one of the most subtle, complex, romantic Crafts – Venetian lace.
Over the next 7 years, until the death of the romantic jeweler, Ralph DeRosa repeatedly returned to the subject of the Venetian lace.
When DeRosa died in 1942, his wife and daughters continued the family business.
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Made in order to preserve the anonymity of a lover or a loved one, just as memorable item, Eye miniature jewellery

Eye miniature jewellery
Such commemorative miniatures were in vogue and became very popular in the 1790 – 1820’s in England, then in France, and Russia. The eyes of lovers were portrayed in jewelry: brooches, rings, bracelets and pendants, on the boxes, and wallets. Most often, these miniatures were made on on ivory. Often with a miniature was kept a lock of hair of beloved one.
The history of the emergence of these miniatures is as follows:
Prince of Wales (later King George IV) was in love with the widow Maria Fitzherbert (she was a Catholic and six years older than him) and made her a proposal. According to belief, sometime around 1785, Mrs. Fitzherbert commissioned Richard A. Cosway, a London miniaturist, to paint one of her eyes. The portrait painted on ivory, was placed behind glass and set within a locket. December 15, 1785 was their secret wedding.
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Brooch Pendant with nymph, made in the workshop of Catalan jeweler Lluis Masriera. (Courtesy Balcli’s)

Catalan jeweler Lluis Masriera (17 January 1872 – 21 October 1958)
Born in Barcelona, Lluis Masriera i Roses was a famous goldsmith, painter, set designer, playwright and theater director. He was the most important member of the Masriera family because he continued the family tradition. Third generation painter and goldsmith, he gave an international fame to his family. The creator of Barcelona enamel of extreme fragility and beauty, he made his contribution as enameller in the technique of plique-A- jour.
His personal style was based on Art Nouveau influences of Rene Lalique. He made exhibitions in Barcelona, Zaragoza, Madrid, Paris, Buenos Aires and San Francisco, both as a goldsmith and artist.
Lluis Masriera became a benchmark figure in the cultural world of Barcelona in the first half of the twentieth century. In addition, he became internationally recognized as one of the most prominent Art Noveau artists jewelers. Today his jewels are highly appreciated, valued and internationally known. An example of this was the auction featuring works by Masriera organized by Christie’s in Geneva in 1970.
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Hat making as art. Most famous hatter Mr John

Most famous hatter Mr John
German born American fashion designer John P. John (1902-1993) became the most famous hatter in 1950s. As stated by “New York Times” in the 1940s and 1950s, Mr. John hats were no less popular than Christian Dior dresses. Associated with elegance and style, his hats appeared at Hollywood studios. Such stars as Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford wore his hats. His clients also included the Duchess of Windsor, Lauren Bacall, and Gloria Swanson.
The most famous work of John for the movie were hats for “Gone With the Wind”, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, and “The Painted Veil”. Ladies of high society, wives of millionaires, actresses, and opera singers – all dreamed about his hats. Noteworthy, at the peak of his career, John P. John produced annually 16,000 hats under different brand names.
The career of John (then Hans Harberger) began in 1919 with the fact that his family emigrated from his native Germany to the United States. Settling in a new place, his mother opened the hat shop in New York, where John started working as an apprentice. There he learned the basics of hatter business.
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Stone cut art. Precious umbrella handles

Precious umbrella handles
According to archaeologists, umbrellas existed in the XI century BC. Besides, some scientists believe the birthplace of umbrella is China, others – Egypt, as in both countries it was a symbol of power. In Egypt, umbrellas used only by Pharaoh, and in China – the emperors and those close to them.
In India, the umbrella was a symbol of wealth and power. The nobler was man, the more his entourage had the right to wear umbrella. Ruler had 13 umbrellas, symbolizing the sun and located around the 12 signs of the zodiac. In Tibet, white or yellow umbrellas are considered a symbol of spiritual greatness, while the secular authorities are more consistent with umbrellas of peacock feathers. Then from the East umbrellas moved to ancient Greece, then – to Rome, where they were used by women.
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