Hand Painted Wooden Brooch

This somber yet beautiful brooch is hand-painted (most likely in acrylics) and lacquered.  It is done on wood and features a safety pin embedded on the back as its fastener.  It is signed "HY 74" on the back, but I was unable to find anything regarding this artist online.  This pin resembles the work of Russian fold artists who design similar lacquered brooches (see my post from 5/11), but the subject matter is quite different.    

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Russian Folk. Retrieved 6/14/2011 from http://www.russianfolk.com/shopstoresale/Russian%20Brooches%20Pins%20For%20Sale.html

Kirks Folly Hummingbird Clip Earrings

These magical earrings are made by Kirks Folly.  They each feature a hummingbird taking nectar from a pink enamel flower surrounded by a heart shape vine in goldtone metal set with two clear rhinestones.  Kirks Folly was started by the Kirk Family in NYC in 1979.  In 1992, their gorgeous line of fantasy jewelry was picked up by QVC where it still sells today.  Over the years, The Kirks Folly Collection has included romantic themes and whimsical pieces featuring mermaids, fairies, magical characters, and storybook inspired designs.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Kirks Folly. Retrieved 6/13/2011 from http://www.kirksfolly.com/thekirks.html

Spanish Damascene Baby Bracelet

This adorable damascene baby bracelet was made in Spain.  I am unsure of its age, as damascene jewelry is still made today and often mass-produced.  The original string tag attached to the bracelet makes me believe it may be an older piece (1950s-80s?), as its price is handwritten with MADE IN SPAIN printed in block letters on the opposite side.

Babies have been wearing jewelry throughout history, for the simple purpose of artistic visual exhibition to the display of the wealth of the family or its status.  Throughout the centuries in Europe, America, Africa, and the Pacific, other reasons babies were gifted or adorned with jewelry include protection from evil spirits, and for functional purposes such as decorative clips, clasps, pins and buckles.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Money Life Love. Retrieved 6/12/2011 from http://money-life-love.com/the-history-of-baby-and-childrens-jewelry/

Vogue Black Rhinestone Brooch

This sparkling brooch features black rhinestones set in goldtone metal.  It was made by Vogue in the 1960s.  Vogue jewelry was manufactured from 1936 through 1977, originally by Harold Shapiro and his two partners, Jack Gilbert and George Grant.  Vogue jewelry is fairly rare and therefore highly collectible, with pieces made in the 1930s and 1940s being most highly sought after.

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Collectible Jewels. Retrieved 6/11/2011 from http://www.collectiblejewels.com/vogue.html

Michal Golan Victorian Crystal Dangle Earrings

These decorative Victorian style pierced hook earrings are made by Michal Golan.  Michal Golan jewelry is a contemporary line, made by talented craftspeople at his New York studio.  Their Byzantine, Victorian-era, and Middle Eastern inspired designs are made of 24kt gold (like these earrings) or silver electroplate over brass or white metal.  These earrings feature purple Swarovski crystals and Abalone, which is typical of Michal's well-made pieces made with semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, and fresh water pearls. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Museum Store Marketplace. Retrieved 6/10/2011 from http://museumstoremarketplace.com/company.php?id=1041490&company=Michal+Golan+Jewelry

Faux Opal Demi-Parure

This demi-parure features a ring and clip earrings in goldtone metal with absolutely gorgeous faux opal cabachons.  They are unmarked and may actually be contemporary, mass-produced pieces.  For an unsigned, apparently inexpensive costume set, it is absolutely stunning. 

I can tell these are faux opals because they appear to have chips of opals suspended in clear plastic resin.  There are actually tutorials available online (see http://www.catherienarts.com/) on how to make faux opals which include mixing translucent polymer clay with irridescent flakes.  Although these stones are "fake," they are surprisingly beautiful. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Catherien Arts. Retrieved 6/9/2011 from http://www.catherienarts.com/tutorial-faux-opal-cabochons/

Frosted Plastic Pierced Earrings

I call these sweet earrings the "root beer candy" earrings.  I really do not know much about them as they are unmarked, but I like them for their simple uniqueness.  I would say they were made in the 1960s and feature a silvertone pierced post with large frosted brown plastic shapes. 

I am wondering if these earrings are made of bakelite, an extremely collectible thermoset plastic made from phenol formaldehyde.  Like these earrings, bakelite is opaque.  Catalin is another similar plastic that is more translucent, and is often sold as bakelite.  True bakelite was made from 1907-1927 while Catalin was made from 1927 (when the Catalin Corporation purchased the patent of Bakelite) through the 1960s. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Vintage Jewelry Lane. Retrieved 6/8/2011 from http://vintagejewelrylane.com/information/bakelitetest.htm