Vintage Victorian CostumeJewelry page 3 snake Austro hungarian necklace parure

Antique Austro Hungarian OPAL jeweled bracelet

With Real opals, floating opals and Chrysoprase stones, this Austro hungarian antique bracelet must have been worn by quite the woman! This is such a wonderful old piece of jewelry history that it is a must have! Made with thick ornate heavy gilt designs, genuine opals and FLOATING white and black opals ( something you don't see in many pieces in the first place)and cabachons of glass and chrysoprase. Many old pieces mixed Czech glass with genuine stones, but you won't find them anymore. Most are in collections that are kept and never sold. I am fortunate enough to be able to offer this extraordinary bracelet in hopes it finds a home that can appreciate not only its age but its find attention to color and beauty! This measures 7 1/2" long and is 1 1/3" wide and 1/2" thick off the wrist. It has all its stones as well as the four golden pearl colored beads on this massive center piece. The bracelet has such rich patina and color that it only enhances the rich deep colors including the blue lapis. Don't miss out on this one at the last minute. It is a real "gem". In very good condition too!
Please use this # when ordering gg1023
$850.00 or 4 payments of $212.50

antique Pearl jeweled chatelaine edwardian necklace with drops

This antique necklace is the type of jewelry you buy and keep forever because it is just THAT NICE. This has so much work involved in its design that you can't help but be in awe of it. THIs has two genuine pearl drops, purple hand cut prism shaped drops with fancy etched hangers, seed pearls around the czech glass faceted amethyst color glass stones and more fancy metal work than I have ever seen on one piece. There are chatelaine chains that seem to hang from everywhere with drops and draping designs. The center piece is made in layers and every piece of it is put to use to create this most dramatic antique necklace. Imagine how this must have been worn with long gowns and balls!!The thick double chains that hold up the beautiful centerpiece are really nice and well made. Rich patina brings out the golden color of the adornments. The necklace is 19" long with an additional drop of 4" for centerpiece. The width of the centerpiece is 2 1/3". This has good weight to it and with the Edwardian influence on it with the seed pearls surrounding the stones, you know you have a real wonderful period piece! IT is in very good condition too.
Please use this # when ordering ga33741
$650.00 ( or three payments of 216.70)

Antique BLACK Snake MOURNING slide bracelet

Mourning jewelry which is highly collectible is something that just lets you feel how important the piece is in the first place. To think that this was worn in memory of a loved one brings some of the kindest most heart felt karma you could ask for. This is black jet and it is actually carved sections that slide on the long metal wrap to form this curious snake or serpent like creature. He has red eyes that sparkle when the light hits it and he has an open mouth as if to dare anyone to take this bracelet off your wrist. He has a total of three wraps ( see photo) and will fit most any wrist because of this. The glass is as dark as the blackest coal and has a few pieces with wear including his tail which has a flea bit on it ( or possibly a predator tried to take this bracelet and he was defending its owner? A rare piece that generally sells at shows for twice this amount so don't miss out at the last minute. Sold as an irreplaceable antique.
Please use this # when ordering ga33758
$355.00

Victorian Mourning Cameo bookchain necklace brooch & earrings

This is one the most extravagant antique sets I have seen and let me say the photos don't do this huge set justice! The bookchain festoon fringe necklace has black glass and pearl drops and has a wide almost 3" long bib. The brooch as you can see can attach to it and be worn with the necklace or by itself. This brooch is HUGE ( 3 1/2") and HEAVY with ruffled filigree and pearls and faceted black glass accent. IT is a high quality piece that is impressive by itself. The necklace is 15 3/4" long with rich golden patina. The earrings are french wires with matching pearl drops and fancy etched tops ( above each pearl). They are 2 3/4" long and they also have czech golden glass drops. This set is amazing and a real collectible so don't miss out at the last minute.
Please use this # when ordering ga33702
$750.00 or 4 payments of 187.50

RARE Antique Chinese opera Headdress crown

This antique ( pre-1900) Chinese headdress / crown with beaded tassels and the long silk tassel ( see in in photos with the woman) is a real treasure that surely should be in a museum. I have many more photos so please email me to see them, because these four only show a tiny bit of the work that is involved in it.
The headdress is a very important accessory in the Chinese Opera costume as it helps the audience to identify specific roles. Important characters wore ( and still do) more ornate and striking headdresses. These are very rare and you hardly ever see one for sale so don’t miss this at the last minute. A little information as to why this is so special follows : Accessories, including helmets and hats, constitute an integral part to bring about dramatic stage effects.The costumes are of a high value and are indeed priceless.Each is one of a kind. Peking Opera costumes show the beauty of traditional Chinese embroidery: surface embroidery with gold or silver threads; woolen embroidery with silk or gold threads, among many others. Every costume and accessory is a masterpiece of art and craft.
One costume with elaborate designs and patterns may take a handicraftsman months or even years to finish. Peking Opera was born in the 55th year (1790) of the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). More than half a century later, the troupes combined and integrated stories and methods from the various popular opera styles they encountered, eventually resulted in Peking Opera.
Unlike European operas, which usually concentrate on one kind of performance in one stage representation, Peking Opera integrates music, singing, dance, costume art, makeup, acting and acrobatics into a unique whole. Dan characters usually wear elaborate headdresses. Scholars and officials often wear simple black hats with two fins coming out from the sides. It is important for actors to wear the right hats as the fins denote an actor's character or rank. This hat has butterfly fins that are so elaborate and detailed they even have miniature mirrors and faux jewels. A young scholar from a well-to-do family will wear a richly embroidered hat and fins in the shape of two curled butterfly wings.
I believe this hat would have been in that category. Costumes and accessories were mainly made of satin, crepe and silk and decorated with various meticulously embroidered patterns, and tell a character's sex and status at first glance, marking off people from all walks of life, noble or humble, civil or military. They primarily designate his or her role on the stage regardless of time and space.
This headdress is made of stiffened paper and wire and has painted dragons and butterflies and so many intricate pieces to it that the photos will have to help me tell you all there is. This also has two soft puff balls in green and pin on each side, two hand beaded ( almost Indian like in the stitchery) tassels that hang from bells on each side , and one long tassel that is unattached (see photo of mannequin) that is very detailed and over 6inches long.
There is a tie that would have held this to the actors head that is attached to the headdress. Intricate wire work has been added to the stiffened paper and gilded over to form beautiful patterns on the front. Intricate punch work that forms a screen like effect on the paper adds dimension. I can’t even imagine the time this took to make . The one tasseled side needs a little help and is missing part of an extra tassel to match the other side. Considering this is well over 130 years old and probably was worn in numerous performances, this is in very good condition. If you collect Asian antiques, or are a collector of the arts, then this piece will be one of your most prized additions. It is large and will fit most any head and I really hope it ends up in a place where it will be truly appreciated for all its history. Sold as is and it will have to be insured to wherever it goes.

$1100.00
Please use this # when ordering ga33635

Vintagesparkles and vintagesparklestoo carries Vintage costume and fine Jewelry, & Antique Jewelry, Estate Jewelry. Our passion for victorian, Edwardian and art Deco pieces has grown into two web sites with inventory such as: Gold Jewelry, Silver Jewelry, Men's Jewelry, Women's Jewelry, Designer Signed Jewelry ( including Miriam Haskell, Eisenburg, trifari and more) ,rings, earrings, Brooches ( and or pins) , necklaces and chokers,bracelets, antique parures, hatpins, watches and pocketwatches,watch fobs, cufflinks, shoe and dress clips, fashion Accessories, charm jewelry and many other estate pieces from all eras and styles. We carry other eras such as Georgian and Victorian Mourning Jewelry, Arts and Crafts Jewelry, Art Deco Jewelry, Art Nouveau Jewelry, Modern Jewelry including bakelite, Retro Jewelry and Contemporary jewelry from early 1800's through today. Hand Crafted Jewelry, American Indian Jewelry, Famous Designer Jewelry, Holiday Jewelry, Figural Jewelry, Bakelite Jewelry, Rhinestone Jewelry and more. Many items are one of a kind. We offer layaway too!