Antique Victorian Mourning Locket with Jewish WWII Kristallnacht Provenance

This rare, sleek heart-shaped locket was made from oxidized sterling silver and 10k gold. The description offered is that it dates to sometime after 1880 but no later than 1910. 

Very little is known about this locket…which makes it all the more romantic...and hauntingly mysterious. 

Yet, there is a fascinating glimpse into its provenance. The letter inside may hold even more clues that the locket’s new owner may wish to research. 

This mourning locket is an estate item, and comes from a German banking and finance family. They lived in Frankfort until the Nazi atrocities began…. 

On the nights of November 9 & 10, 1938 a nationwide campaign of absolute destruction, plundering and murder were conducted by the Nazis against Jewish families and their businesses. The event was called Kristallnacht or “Night of the Broken Glass” due to the unimaginable amounts of glass shards that lay in the streets following the Nazi devastation of Jewish synagogues, homes and storefronts. 

The German family who owned this locket were Jewish and greatly suffered. Yet, they were allowed to flee Frankfort to the United States immediately after Kristallnacht, but with only the remaining contents of their home and while forfeiting large amounts of their family money left behind in the German banks. 

The hand-tinted Victorian portrait photograph is original to the locket and is accompanied by bits of what appears to be a love letter from the gentleman in the photograph, Sigmund. 
 

The letter fragments, with signature, as well as the photograph were carefully fashioned by the original owner to fit the heart shaped, golden frame within the shadowy silver locket. 

Gold is the classic symbol of eternity…. 

Sterling silver was intentionally oxidized and favored for Victorian mourning jewelry; the elegant treatment was destined to remain dark. 

The locket is a lovely size at 1-5/8 inches or nearly 4.5 cm in length and 1-1/4 inches or slightly over 3 cm in width at the widest point. It is made from oxidized sterling silver, 10k gold and paper thin sheets of glass. The haunting memories within are certainly historically important, as well as loving.

Vintage 1950s Motoring Headscarf, Italian Hand-Embroidered Silk Chiffon

Supremely elegant. 

This is exactly the quality and style of headscarf that one would expect to find Hollywood royalty wearing while traveling in their roadster, circa 1955. 

It will certainly make hearts race…. 

The hand embroidery appears as if worked in genuine gold…but it is silk. 

Silk on silk. 

The details and colors are rich, delicate, feminine. The hand stitched design was created by a master embroiderer. 

This work of fine textile art is certainly considered museum quality. 

The warm pale ivory silk chiffon is airy…so light that merely a whisper will make the scarf float in the air. Yet, the silk is woven so that it is sturdy enough to hold the embroidery which must have taken weeks, if not longer, to render. Breathtaking. 

Embroidery this fine is typically found on priests’ religious vestments. The silks, style and colors appear Italian. 

The monogram is M. It measures 23.5 inches or 59.5 cm square. The scarf is entirely hand sewn and beautifully finished with hand rolled hem.

Antique Signed Cameo c 1840 with Provenance: Estate of Peter Hansen, Designer for Stickley Furniture

Romantic and breathtaking...gift perfect.... 

This is a large, exceedingly beautiful example of a hand carved cameo. It is in high, three-dimensional relief and dates to c 1840. The etched signature of the master carver, Bennel, is on the reverse. The cameo has a sterling silver and 14k gold bezel mounting. It may be worn as either pendant or brooch. This lovely piece has been identified through a certified ASA appraiser. 

Approximately 175 years old, the cameo is made from queen conch shell. The artfully carved design is of an elegant woman, a bacchante or a devotee of Bacchus, who was the god of wine and also the patron deity of the theatre. 

Obvious design characteristics point to when this cameo was made. These are the bacchante’s long classic nose as well as her up swirled hair, surrounded by a laurel of leaves and grapes. Early shell cameos also have a softly arched silhouette, and this relatively large example feels amazingly sleek and graceful when cupped into the palm of your hand. 

This special brooch or pendant also has a fascinating historical provenance. It comes from the estate of Peter Hansen, who was the chief furniture designer to Gustav Stickley. Hansen's wife, Ruth, was an artist as well as architectural draftsman for Stickley. It is believed that she may have worn this cameo. 

The condition is excellent to near mint. 
It requires cleaning by a knowledgeable professional familiar with the unique requirements of antique cameos.  There are neither chips nor cracks. In the light, the cameo appears quite luminous and beautiful. The back has Bennel's etched signature beneath the sturdy pin with c-clasp and one may require a jewelers loop to view this. The bezel mount has a ring attached so that the cameo may be worn as a pendant. The mounting appears to be original. The reverse side has a gold wash over the interior silver mounting. This has worn thin from wear but does not detract from the overall appearance in any way, in my opinion.

The cameo measures approximately 1.5 inches or 4 cm by 2 inches or slightly over 5 cm. 

Not only will this cameo appeal to anyone who loves historical antique jewelry, but the piece would make a nice addition in an exhibit or collection that might involve the Hansen provenance. 

Vintage 1920s Sterling Silver Lorgnette or Articulated Reading Glasses

Articulated reading glasses or lorgnette with Downton Abbey Style! 

Diminutive, but hard-working, these reading glasses are perhaps one of the most useful vintage 1920s fashion accessories.

Nearly a century old and made entirely from sterling silver, the eyeglasses unfold with quick, strong spring action. Simply push down on the little nob adornment and the little magnifying glass pops open to reveal the spectacles. It's a cinch to fold them back into place! 

In a sleek, classic style suited for either men or women, the eyeglasses are also designed for use with either the right or left hand. 

The magnification is most comfortable for anyone who is at that certain age where readers are needed…a rough guess is that they are somewhere between a 1.5 or 2 magnification with high quality glass that one rarely finds today. 

This delightful lorgnette is stamped “Sterling” under the nose bridge piece. There is no maker’s mark. 

The loop at the end of the handle may be used to slip over a chain and worn as a pendant for women…or could be creatively attached to a gentleman’s fob. Most certainly, this lovely lorgnette may be slipped into either a breast pocket, wallet or even the smallest evening purse. 

While closed into a magnifier, it measures approximately 3.5 inches or 9 cm in length. The magnifying glass is approximately 1.5 inches or 4 cm across. While open, the spectacles measure 4.25 inches or 11 cm across. 

This lorgnette is certainly a very wonderful example of 1920s glamour that will be appreciated by any Downton Abbey or Roaring Twenties aficionado. 

Antique Art Nouveau Brooch, circa 1900

Glistening gold. Art Nouveau. 

This lovely, large gold-washed brooch has that special artistic turn-of-the-last-century design to it. The strong graphic influences in the vines, tendrils and cut-out work make this brooch appear to be drawn directly from an Alphonse Mucha poster. 

The brooch features a buckle design theme. Buckle styles were often worn not only as brooches on clothing, but especially used to adorn elaborate hats. 

This exquisite brooch appears as though it was never used. No maker's mark. It has a strong pin with c-clasp and measures approximately 2 inches or slightly over 5 cm tall by 2.5 inches or 6.5 cm wide. 

Rare French 1920s Bowler, Derby ou Le Chapeau Melon

This is a magnificent 1920s men’s bowler (English), derby (American) or le chapeau melon as they say in France…which is exactly where this hat was created. 

This rare bowler comes from an estate near a resort area in upstate New York, and has never been on the market since it was first purchased during the Roaring Twenties. 

The hat was originally made in France.  It is in a larger size than most found from this era and the quality is absolutely breathtaking. This bowler is entirely hand sewn and finished. The firm, felted foundation is made of fine quality black wool. The crown is just under 5 inches or 12.is banded with silk grosgrain ribbon, and finished with a sharp, rectangular bow. The pristine interior is lined with white silk and faced with rich, supple leather. 

The regal Le Plumet logo is printed in black over genuine gold leaf. We know this is so because genuine gold was sometimes used in high end hatmaking. Gold is inert, and so it will not tarnish. This logo design simply glistens in the light…like the gold that it is! 

Le Plumet (The Plume) is the name of this French hatmaking company. Beneath the logo design, the word “Déposé Nos. 2492 & 3132” This refers to the inventory numbers on the hat blocks that were used to create this particular design. Also written on the interior logo are the words “Extra Quality” which gives proof that this wonderful gentleman's hat was also created with the British or Canadian market in mind. 

In absolutely splendid, near mint condition, this derby hat appears to have never been worn. It is truly a hat of most sublime quality.  If you plan to wear hats such as this, please remember that bowlers such as these are becoming quite rare, especially French made, and so condition matters a great deal for the long term value of this magnificent hat. 

There is a label on the interior that states the hat’s sizing. Often, when a beautiful hat such as this is found in this exemplary condition, I have found that it is because the sizing label is incorrect. This is true with this particular hat and quite likely the reason why it was never worn by its original owner. This is an exceedingly beautiful hat from the 1920s, and would make a glorious museum display.

Authentic Gatsby Era Tangerine Plumed Hat From JR Libby Company, Maine

The Roaring Twenties roared with color! 

This rare Gatsby Era, tangerine plumed hat dates to the early 1920s. Tangerine or lemon against black were popular colors in that day, and this hat is exemplary! 

Those luscious tangerine colored ostrich plumes are indeed original to the hat. You will know this immediately if you closely examine the stitches and threads that connect the feathers to their wire foundation. 

The hat was initially sold at the JR Libby Company department store. This was a grand place located in Portland, Maine. The store resembled a smaller version of Selfridge’s and an early image of it may be seen on the Maine Historical Society’s website. 

The hat was created on a sturdy, oval, wired foundation and entirely covered with ultra fine, silk tulle. The outer ribs of the foundation were covered with braided black straw. This also spirals around the crown of the hat. Finally, the hat was swathed in luxurious tangerine colored ostrich plumes which remain brilliant to this day. Black and tangerine were a most stylish color during the early 20s. 

This hat is incredibly comfortable when worn and those long plumes float elegantly in the air. It was designed for wear pulled down low over the forehead, and may also be worn at a slight sassy tilt. This is quite a rare and beautiful 1920s millinery gem that is destined for a discerning private collector or museum. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find hats such as this in such wonderful overall, wearable condition. 

The hat features a strong interior silk satin lining that is blazing with color as well. The beautifully embroidered logo reads “La Rose Hats, JR Libby Co.” 

This hat is in excellent condition overall…some might even believe that it is a notch above excellent. The silk tulle is fragile, but intact. The hat is indeed wearable with tender loving care for special occasions…as its value remains true based on its amazing condition.  The size measures to fit a generous 22 inches or 56 cm.

Vintage 1950s Stetson Homburg with Sterling Stetson Logo Pin

It’s the size that counts…and true enough, this magnificent unworn vintage Stetson homburg is in a larger size than most.

It is stylish and most elegant. This homburg man's hat measures to fit a man’s size large at 7-1/4…or it will generously fit a woman’s size 22.75 inches or 57.8 cm. 

Identified as a Stetson 3x Beaver Homburg, it is in vintage mint condition…appearing unworn. It dates to the early 1950s and features the tiniest sterling silver Stetson logo pin that is still attached to the silk grosgrain band. 

It is luxurious.

The hat was designed to wear as a formal style, but in today’s world, it will be appreciated by men and women alike. As it is said, they simply don’t make hats like this any more. 

Hand stitched in all the right places, the interior lining has the Stetson logo which dates the hat to the mid-1950s. The logo also tells us that this hat was one of the earliest manufactured with intent to market to Canadian clientele. 

The original sizing label is still intact, making it obvious that the hat was never worn. It reads 7-1/4. The interior leather facing is supple and smooth. It is black in color and stamped with the 3x Beaver mark plus Stetson logo. The interior is marked with “Davison The Clothier” at Flint, Michigan. Research shows that this clothier was likely in business through the early 1950s because no later record can be found.