Saturday, August 13, 2011
RANDOM 341 OBJECT
3 pc VINTAGE Estate JEWELRY - LUCITE BAKELITE MARCASITE-$58
Those of you who visit us often will note that we seldom list old jewelry, although we’re thinking about getting rid of some during our downsizing. These 3 pieces are from a local estate.
The primary reason we don’t list much jewelry is because neither of us knows beans about the field. I must confess; I had to go to the eBay Community for help identifying these three – tail between my legs and head down low. (Turns out there are about a jillion people on those Boards who are knowledgeable and more than happy to help.
So: Here goes . . . (By the way – They are all in EXCELLENT condition.)
Starting with the biggest made sense. It is 3” by 2 3/8th” by ¾”. It is made up of two pieces (3 counting the pin on the back). The apple juice colored part is Lucite, and I’m told that the black cameo is Bakelite even though, by my method of testing, it doesn’t test positive. (More than one fellow eBayer told me it is, but it won’t test positive; so I just don’t know.)
The next piece is a 2 ½” by ¼” pendant/necklace with a 32” silk ribbon. I don’t know what it’s made of but it’s a stunning piece – especially because of the rhinestones and the “inserts” or “spacers” within the ribbon.
Don’t stare at that last image too long. It could be hard on your eyes.
Again: I’m told it is called a “jabot” or a “penannular brooch” and that it may or may not have been made by The1928 Jewelry Company.
RANDOM 341 OBJECT
Antique AESTHETIC MOVEMENT Silver p TABLE CRUMBER, Bird-$13
Listing things for sale is quite a bit of work, and it would be as boring as church if it weren’t for things like this exceptional estate piece. It hasn’t seen the light of day in many, many years; fresh, in other words.
Let’s hit the high points first:
It is a large piece: 9 ½” wide at the blade and 9” long. When resting on the bird’s tail, it is 2” deep at the bird
Reed & Barton made it, and it is silverplate with chased flowers and a patterned surface inside the pan.
Then there’s the bird perched, but about to fly away, inside the round, tree-branch handle.
It is clean as a whistle. I suppose you could polish it if you chose, but it has developed such a fine patina that, in my opinion, it would be a shame to disturb it.
That’s the back. Notice the “folded” leading edge of the blade. It has remained bright, shiny and in wonderful condition. And – That leading edge of the bottom is where one would have expected the most wear. Amazing.
Since the end with the handle is heaviest, the designer of the piece placed the tail of the bird in just the right spot to support it perfectly.
Since the end with the handle is heaviest, the designer of the piece placed the tail of the bird in just the right spot to support it perfectly.
Let’s just look at few more pictures while we sip coffee. You already know you need it, so why beat a dead horse?
RANDOM ARNE
shuntind engine, 1876. the tugboat of the railroad station.
