Antique Victorian Amethyst Necklace circa 1898 to 1901

A most stunning necklace…. 

This is one of those wonderful, rare, and very romantic Victorian necklaces. It dates to circa 1898 to 1901 and has strong art nouveau design influences. 

Obviously, this piece has been treasured for well over a century in time…. The necklace is beautifully handcrafted and genuine gold-washed. It features 15 genuine, multi-faceted amethyst stones that delicately catch the light. They are all original to the necklace and were carefully, individually mounted in bezel settings. 

The necklace literally drapes around the neck. The articulation to the overall design is marvelous. The choker styled necklace measures approximately 16.75 inches or about 42.5 cm. 

Antique Edwardian Brooch c 1900 Art Nouveau

Exquisite and entirely authentic, this brooch was created during the bridge between the last breath of the Victorian era and the very beginning of the Edwardian period, circa 1900. 

It has a rich Art Nouveau design and is so stunning that one of the assistants here in the Studio called it Poor Man's Lalique. 

The brooch is entirely gold-washed in genuine yellow gold with genuine rose gold highlights across the centers of both flowers. The brooch is set with three glowing, opalescent cabochons. The largest cabochon is 7/8 of an inch or slightly over 2 cm in length. 

The deep emerald green glass cabochons are distinct and impressive. The color is breathtaking and will be absolutely eye-catching when worn. 

You may find yourself absent-mindedly turning the brooch to study the light within, because the colors are so unusual…and ever-changing. The largest and center cabochon has incredible brilliance … similar to fine antique paperweight glass. 

This brooch has the typical riveted hinge pin with c-clasp fastener, indicative to circa 1900. The fastener is quite sturdy. 

The brooch measures an impressive 3 inches or 7.5 cm in length and is 1.75 inches or nearly 4.5 cm wide. It is a glowing example of late Victorian through early Edwardian style. I

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.