1850

Antique Ruby and Diamond Snake Ring, England. Circa 1850.  Striking 18K snake ring set with a ruby and diamonds winds it way around the finger in a sensuous scroll. Moylan-Smelkinson/The Spare Room.

An antique ruby and diamond snake necklace, circa 1850. The head set with a pear-shaped ruby weighing 7.28 carats within a pavé-set diamond surround to the flexible body with rectangular-shaped ruby back and single-cut diamond sides, detaching to form two bracelets, circa 1850, 43.0 cm long.

Turquoise and ruby bangle, Circa 1850 - Sotheby's.

Fine Victorian Enamel Snake Pin with Pearl Drop, Circa 1850.  A finely detailed display of grassy green enamel on this undulating coiled creature. Organic themes seem to be ever increasing in popularity with jewelry enthusiasts and this piece will not disappoint! The eyes are set with rose cut diamonds, the mouth holds a solitary pearl which moves when agitated. This brooch measures 1.5 inches long by 1 inch tall and is in excellent condition. Fourtane

Chinese Garden Export Silver Tankard. Circa 1850.  A beautiful mid-19th-century Chinese export silver presentation tankard by Cutching of Canton. This double-skinned vessel features a repoussé exterior of a tranquil garden scene executed in wonderful detail. A dragon, the Chinese symbol of power and good fortune, serves as the handle of this lovely cup. Marked "CU". 4 1/2" wide (with handle) x 4" high. Price: $9,850 www.rauantiques.com  

Turquoise and ruby bangle, Circa 1850 - Photo Sotheby's Designed as a coiled snake, the body set with cabochon turquoises, the eyes set with circular-cut rubies, inner circumference approximately 165mm, one small turquoise deficient. Estimation: 3,000 - 5,000 GBP. Lot. Vendu 17,500 GBP LITTERATURE: Cf: Charlotte Gere and Judy Rudoe, ‘Jewellery in the age of Queen Victoria’, London 2010, p.255Cf: David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti, ‘Understanding Jewellery’, Spain 2003, p.128, for similar examples... [Lire la suite]

Silver-Topped-Gold and Diamond Bow Brooch, Circa 1850 - Photo Sotheby's The double ribbon bow centered by an oval-shaped diamond weighing approximately 3.50 carats, accented by numerous pear-shaped and old mine-cut diamonds weighing approximately 38.00 carats, further set with numerous smaller old mine and rose-cut diamonds weighing approximately 64.25 carats, one small rose-cut diamond missing. With fitted box. Estimation: 200,000 - 300,000 USD An Historic Imperial Russian Jewel, formerly in the Collections of... [Lire la suite]

Pink oblong spinel with border of brilliant-cut diamonds, set in silver in an openwork mount. Europe, ca.1850. Height: 0.625 in, Width: 0.5 in. Bequeathed by the Rev. Chauncy Hare Townshend. 1317-1869. © V&A Images During medieval times, spinels were known as 'Balas rubies' and highly prized. Pure spinel is colourless. A small amount of chromium makes a spinel red or pink, iron makes a spinel green or blue, and zinc makes a spinel blue. This ring forms part of a collection of 154 gems... [Lire la suite]

A Japanese parquetry cabinet, circa 1850.© 2012 MALLETT ANTIQUES veneered on every face with parquetry in a variety of woods, the upper section with cupboard doors enclosing six drawers in the interior, all above a large single drawer. The exterior has silvered hinges, corner mounts, escutcheons and handles, all with delicate floral and foliate engraving. H: 20.9 in (53.0 cm). W: 23.6 in (60.0 cm). L/D: 5.1 in (13.0 cm) http://www.mallettantiques.com

  A set of six well preserved mid nineteenth century gouache paintings of birds, painted on Chinese pith paper and made for the export market, circa 1850. © 2012 MALLETT ANTIQUES The birds include pheasants, water fowl, song birds, guinea fowl and ibis. H: 7.5 in (19.0 cm). W: 11.4 in (29.0 cm) Pith comes from the central column of spongy cellular tissue in the stem of a small tree called Tetrapanax Papyrifera, native to south-west China and a member of the ginseng family. It has had a variety of... [Lire la suite]