2020
hol i day c ata l o gu e
2
T
his year has been a year like no other. As it comes to a close we are deeply grateful to be celebrating another holiday season with you. The slower pace of the last many months have given us the gift of time to reflect on what is most important in life. It has also given us the opportunity to create some special house made pieces to share with you.
Modern technology has allowed us to keep a steady flow of treasures coming our way and we are able to present a collection of unique antique finds from far afield. While none of us are able to travel as we desire, we hope you enjoy a beautiful escape in the pages ahead. We took delight in compiling it for you and may we all find enjoyment where we can these days and surround ourselves with fewer finer things.
1
No. 1 b u c k l e l o c k e t Victorian era locket in an abstract buckle motif, representing strength and loyalty. Beautiful original bloomed finish in 18k Gold. English in Origin. Circa 1870. $2,750
2
No. 2 a m p h o r a e a r r i n g s Victorian era earrings in an Etruscan revival amphora form. Bright 15k Gold. English in origin. Circa 1870. $2,950
3
No. 3 v i c t o r i a n e r a o l d m i n e c u t d i a m o n d e a r r i n g s Delicate settings crafted 18k gold. Each earring is fitted with a spherical ‘coach cover’. A 19th century fitting to conceal sparkling diamonds while traveling. 130 years on, they provide a clever second look. English in origin. Circa 1890. $6,800
4
5
6
No. 4 v i c t o r i a n e r a g o l d c u f f s e t Rare matched set of 18k gold bangles in fluted gothic design. Engraved to the interior, “August 16, 1972�. English in origin. $18,000
7
No.5 v i c t o r i a n e r a c i t r i n e e a r r i n g s Citrine gemstones set in 18k gold sawtooth bezel mountings with cannetille borders. Tops can be worn alone in reduced form. English in origin. Circa 1840. $2,750
8
No. 6 g e o r g i a n e r a c h r y s o p h r a s e e a r r i n g s Bright apple green Chrysophrase gemstones set in fine 18k gold cannetille settings. Tops can be worn alone in reduced form. English in origin. Circa 1830. $3,950
9
No. 7 f r e n c h e m p i r e p e r i o d g o l d n e c k l a c e Early 19th century swag collar necklace. Quintessential Empire design dating to the Napoleon era. Original ribbon fittings. Hallmarks indicate French origin. $8,500
10
11
P
aste stones are made from highly refractive leaded glass but paste jewels were not considered counterfeit jewelry. It was made to achieve certain decorative effects which were rarely realized with diamonds and other precious stones. In
the absence of the high cost of materials, paste artisan skills were often developed and extended much further than those of diamond workers. It is said, in Paris alone, at its peak of popularity, there were 300 jewelers specializing
in paste jewels. At its best, antique paste is to be compared only with the finest jewelry for sheer artistry and craftsmanship.
No. 8 e a r l y 1 9 t h c e n t u r y w h i t e p a s t e r i v i è r e n e c k l a c e Georgian era fine white paste rivière necklace. Silver on gold settings. English in origin. Circa 1820. $14,500
12
13
14
No. 9 v i c t o r i a n e r a b l u e p a s t e p a r u r e s e t Complete boxed set in rare vibrant blue. The 15k gold set remains in its original fitted box. English in origin. Circa 1880. $15,500
15
No. 10 g e o r g i a n e r a g i r a n d o l e e a r r i n g s Fine paste earrings in a rare small balanced form. Silver topped gold settings. English in origin. Circa 1770. $6,600
16
17
No. 11
No. 12
No. 11 g e o r g i a n e r a d i a m o n d u r n 18th century memorial pendant features early rose cut and table cut diamonds in the form of an urn. in silver on gold. English in Origin. Circa 1780. $4,200 No. 12 g e o r g i a n e r a o l d m i n e c u t d i a m o n d r i n g Early diamond ring set with both old mine cut and table cut diamonds set in silver on 18k gold. Closed back setting with beautiful reeded back. English in origin. Circa 1760. $7,800
18
19
No. 13 v i c t o r i a n e r a o l d m i n e c u t d i a m o n d m a l t e s e c r o s s Maltese cross set with approximately five carats of old mine cut diamonds in silver on gold. Convertible fittings allow the cross to be worn as a pendant or a brooch. English in origin. Circa 1860. $15,500
20
No. 14 v i c t o r i a n e r a d i a m o n d b u c k l e b a n g l e 19th century bracelet with unusual hand engraved lizard skin pattern in 18k rose gold. Old mine cut and rose cut diamonds form a central buckle design, symbolic of strength and loyalty. French in origin. Circa 1860. $5,600
21
22
No. 15 e d w a r d i a n e r a b u m b l e b e e b r o o c h Turn of the century bumble bee with natural blue sapphire of approximately 2 carats. Rose cut diamonds make up the wings and stripes along with beautiful enamel work and ruby eyes. Platinum and 18k Gold. Continental European in origin. Circa 1900. $9,800 No. 16 v i c t o r i a n
er a blue ena mel
sna k e br acelet
19th Century snake bangle, set with old mine cut and rose cut diamonds and ruby eyes. The body is crafted in 18k gold and hinged at 4 points allowing for a varied fit. English in origin. Circa 1860. $13,500
23
24
No. 17 v i c t o r i a n e r a f i n e e m e r a l d r i n g Early Victorian era emerald diamond and ruby ring, set in 18k gold. The emerald is certified to be of Colombian origin with minor oil treatment. Circa 1850. $19,000
25
No. 18 v i c t o r i a n o l d m i n e c u t d i a m o n d r i n g Mid 19th Century Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring, in 9k gold & silver. Found in Denmark. $6,800
26
No. 19 g e o r g i a n e r a a m e t h y s t e a r r i n g s Early 19th century earrings set in silver on gold cutaway settings. Six rose cut diamonds surround bright amethyst stones. English in origin. Circa 1830. $2,250
27
No. 20 v i c t o r i a n o l d m i n e c u t d i a m o n d 5 s t o n e r i n g Mid 19th century diamond ring. Five fine old mine cut diamonds set in silver on gold cutaway settings. The central cushion shaped diamond is estimated at 1.25 carats. The remaining 4 stones are approximately 1.1 carats in total weight. Continental European origin. Circa 1840. $13,500
28
29
No. 21 g e o r g i a n e r a t o p a z c r o s s Early 19th century cross pendant. Bright precious topaz stones are set in closed back collet settings. Presented in a fitted box. English in origin. Circa 1810. $8,000
30
No. 22 1 8 t h c e n t u r y t o p a z p e n d e l o q u e e a r r i n g s Precious topaz and rose cut diamond earrings in a classical pendeloque form. Set in silver and gold. Original condition with wig hooks intact. Circa 1760. Portuguese in origin. $14,500
31
No. 23 v i c t o r i a n e r a d i a m o n d h e a r t n e c k l a c e 19th century old mine cut diamond bow and heart necklace. Diamonds are set in a silver on gold and there is a small Maltese cross within the heart. Once part of a larger necklace, the swag hangs on a period 18k gold chain. Found in France. Circa 1870. $8,500
32
33
No. 24
No. 24 1 9 t h c e n t u r y d i a m o n d c l u s t e r e a r r i n g s Old mine cut diamonds in silver topped 18k gold. 10 diamonds surround a central cushion cut old mine cut stone. Approximately 1.8 carats in total weight. Each stud was formally a link in a Victorian Era diamond rivière necklace. English in origin. Circa 1860. $8,250 No. 25 b l u e j o h n a n d d i a m o n d n e c k l a c e Rare Blue John stone necklace with rose cut diamonds set in silver and gold. A uniquely colored variety of fluorite, Blue John is the rarest gemstone found in Britain. In all the world it is found in one single location, a legendary cavern in Derbyshire, England. The stone has been prized for its beauty since Roman times. For centuries the stone has been exported to continental Europe for jewelry and decorative art designs. Portuguese in origin. $8,600.
34
No. 25
35
36
No. 26 e d w a r d i a n
er a dia mon d
and emer ald ring
Exquisite filigree setting in platinum. Two calf cut side stones are approximately 1.55 carats in weight. The emerald is certified to be of Colombian origin with minor oil treatment. 56 small diamonds adorn the elaborate setting. American in origin. Circa 1910. $17,500
37
No. 27 e a r l y 2 0 t h c e n t u r y s a p p h i r e r i n g Early 20th century sugarloaf cabochon sapphire ring. Natural Ceylon sapphire is set in a substantial platinum setting. Center stone is approximately 5 carats. Certified natural, no heat. Continental European origin. Circa 1920. $9,250
38
No. 28 d o u b l e c l u s t e r s q u a r e r i n g Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Ring, Two concentric square halos surround a Old European Cut Diamond of approx 1.05 carats. Signed Bailey Banks and Biddle, American in origin. Circa 1920. $6,800
39
No. 29 e d w a r d i a n e r a o l d m i n e c u t d i a m o n d r i n g Early 20th century filigree setting holds a 3 carat old mine cut diamond along with 8 additional stones. Beautifully pierced platinum setting, displays the strength of platinum. Continental European in origin. Circa 1905. P OA
40
41
No. 30 e d w a r d i a n e r a d i a m o n d b r a c e l e t Edwardian diamond bracelet featuring three central old mine cut diamonds with hundreds of additional old mine cut diamonds set in platinum. The primary cushion shaped stone is approximately 2.6 carats. The estimated total weight for the entire bracelet is 13.5 carats. English in origin. Circa 1910. $32,000
42
43
bel l & bir d r e a dy m a de piece s
This year, our doors were closed for more than three months and we have found a silver lining... with many idle hours, creative pursuits flourish. The following pieces are the fruit of our slow down. Each piece is entirely unique. We are able to offer you these items as they are finished. The nature of their production does not allow for special orders at this time. If you miss the opportunity to buy one of these items and hope to have one of your own, please reach out and we can be sure you are on our direct list to inform when the next comes available.
44
45
46
No. 31 a r t d e c o i n s p i r e d o n y x a n d d i a m o n d r i n g As a nod to bold art deco jewels, we designed this ring with custom cut onyx stones and a brilliant white round diamond. Hand fabricated platinum setting made in our workshop. Central stone weighs 2.03 carats. $27,000
47
No. 32 b e l l a n d b i r d h o r s e s h o e b r a c e l e t Inspired by our love of horses and the handful of similar Victorian era bracelets we have encountered over the years, we have created a modern interpretation of the classic motif. The bracelet is hand fabricated from solid 18k gold and is notably heavy. 7 carre cut diamonds are set into the face. Designed to fit comfortably snug to the wrist, you can wear your good luck charm everyday. $14,750
48
49
No. 33 h e x a g o n a l o l d m i n e c u t d i a m o n d r i n g This contemporary design is inspired by art deco angles and form. The central 2 carat antique diamond is flanked by four baguette stones set at uncommon pitched angles. There are two additional carre cut diamonds on each shoulder. Crafted in our workshop in 18k old gold. $22,600
50
No. 34 b e l l a n d b i r d h a l f h o o p c u t a w a y b a n d One of our signature designs, each cut away band is unique. Each ring features a set of slightly graduated old mine cut diamonds. It often takes months to collect a suite of stones in the correct size, color and clarity. This ring features eleven 19th century old mine cut diamonds, approximately 3 carats in total diamond weight, set in 18k old gold. $14,500
51
No. 35 b e l l a n d b i r d d i a m o n d a c o r n Each acorn is hand fabricated in 18k gold without any castings or molds. As in nature, each one is unique. The acorn cap holds over 100 diamonds in varied sizes, each individually set forming a mosaic effect. Acorns hold great symbolism as the small seed of the mighty oak tree. For centuries they have been used in decorative arts to represent potential, strength and longevity. In 1797 D. Everett wrote “Large streams from little fountains flow. Tall oaks from little acorns grow.� We also believe that great things come from small beginnings. $7,800
52
53
54
No. 36 a n t i q u e m a r q u i s e c u t d i a m o n d r i n g Beautiful antique cut diamond of 4.72 carats set in our signature ‘travel mount’ setting in 18k old gold. The simple low profile mounting allows the unusual proportions of the stone to capture all of your attention. $65,0 0 0
55
No. 37 1 9 t h c e n t u r y d i a m o n d r i v i e r e n e c k l a c e A beautiful classic form, this style of necklace is named for the glittering lights lining the french riviera’s cote d’azur. 58 old mine cut diamonds in graduated sizes are set in low profile, pinched collet settings. Lays flat on the neck for day or night wear. The total diamond weight for the necklace is estimated at 26.5 carats. English in origin. Circa 1850. P OA
56
57
I
f you are interested in a piece or have any questions please contact us by email at info@bellandbird.com or by phone 512-407-8206.
Wishing you happy holidays and a wonderful New Year. – Bell & Bird
58
59