U is for Unlucky (Art Nouveau – #AtoZChallenge)

by Lillian Csernica on April 25, 2017

The number thirteen produces strong reactions in people. Many believe the number is unlucky. Much to my surprise, I’ve discovered why many other people insist on believing thirteenth brings good luck. For excellent examples of both sides, click here.

ebay.com

“Lucky” 13  heart charm. Silver and enamel. Germany circa 1900.

pinterest.com

18k gold decorated with papyrus leaves and platinum set with tiny rose-cut diamonds. France, circa 1900.

ebay.com

Rose wreath charm with “lucky” 13 inside. Sterling silver, from France.

http://www.rubylane.com

Sterling silver crescent moon “lucky” 13 charm. Victorian.

ebay.com

18k gold with diamond, ruby, and aquamarine. Late 19th Century.

 

 

R is for Rings (Art Nouveau – #AtoZChallenge)

by Lillian Csernica on April 21, 2017

bestuniqueengagementrings.com

14k pearl and large cabochon moonstone ring. 1915, Brandt and Son.

pinterest.com

A bee/wasp ring. Plique-a-jour enamel, diamond, and peridot.

http://www.rubylane.com

Rose quartz cabochon set in sterling silver leaves. This ring is very unusual in that rose quartz is an uncommon stone in art nouveau jewelry.

langantiques.com

From Lang Antiques:

“A placid pale-blue elongated oval aquamarine floats inside a fanciful and feminine openwork frame accented with twinkling diamond crescents and a pair of golden flowers. This extra-lovely and highly individualistic jewel measures 1 1/16 inches long by just over 5/8 inch wide.”

pixgood.com

Egyptian Revival subset of art nouveau. 18k yellow gold, polychrome enamel, opal and rose-cut diamonds.

liveinternet.ru

Georges Fouquet. Gold, enamel, opal, and pearl.

pinterest.com

A gold and enamel “Fuschia” ring by Rene Lalique.

 

G is for Goddess (Art Nouveau – #AtoZChallenge)

by Lillian Csernica on April 8, 2017

I’ve had a lifelong interest in mythology, and Greek mythology in particular. Another abundant theme in Art Nouveau is the female form, presented in profile, the face as centerpiece, a maiden in Nature, and of course, the main Goddesses.

udemy.com

Antique sterling art nouveau locket — large size with repousse Greek Goddess of the Night Nyx. Depicts owl, moon, stars, torch.

Bling Bling

Nike, Goddess of Victory

Gold and enamel, diamond, ruby, pearl and carved opal.

Zeus and Hera, in gold and sapphire.

etsy.com

Diana, goddess of the hunt. Brass plated in antique gold. Fine bronze filigree encases the black and ivory cameo. The pendant is decorated with Swarovski opal stones and a black diamond Czech crystal drop.

http://www.langantiques.com

The Goddess Ceres. Peachy-pink coral, 14k gold with thistle motif.

facebook.com

Head of the Gorgon Medusa, late 19th Century, Czechoslovakia. The brooch is made of gold, jasper, and pearl. (I include Medusa here because A) some consider her the Goddess of PMS, and B) this is a singular piece.)

http://www.lalique.com

This piece of the “Sacred Fire Odyssey” collection represents Vesta, the Goddess of Fire. For me, this is one of Rene Lalique’s supreme creations. From Lalique:

“The majestic, Fine Jewellery Vesta necklace is a perfect demonstration of the House’s craftsmanship and its emblematic jeweller features: a piece that adapts to four different wearing styles, including necklace, brooch or pendant, and the famous mixed-materials technique introduced by René Lalique, in which the precious and non-precious combinations serve the beauty of the motif – a fusion of gold, sapphire, diamond, fire opal, moonstone, engraved mother-of-pearl, cloisonné enamel and crystal.”

Save

E is for Earrings (Art Nouveau – #AtoZChallenge)

by Lillian Csernica on April 6, 2017

Earrings are by far my favorite form of jewelry. I like to make them and  I love to wear them. It took a real effort to settle on just a few fabulous Art Nouveau sets to display here!

fairyblingmother.blogspot.com

Yes, these are indeed jellyfish!

http://www.christies.com

Plique-a-jour enamel, drop-shaped opals, set in gold. Designer Georges Fouquet

Walker Metalsmiths Celtic Jewelry

Sterling silver Celtic teardrop earrings.

tobylynngems

Peacock blue opals, diamonds, and sapphires set in gold.

sothebys.com

Enamel and pearl pendant earrings.

tademagallery.com

Moonstones, sapphires, and diamonds set in gold.

http://www.rubylane.com

Handcrafted in rose and green 14k gold and set with round and drop shaped sparkling golden green Uralian chrysolites.

 

C is for Case (Art Nouveau – #AtoZChallenge)

by Lillian Csernica on April 4, 2017

In polite society, if you were anyone at all you carried calling cards, which made card cases among the most essential accessories for both men and women.

kittysantiquejewelry.com

Antique Art Nouveau silver card case dated Christmas 1907

In addition to calling cards, ladies of society also had dance cards. When playing the marriage game or just having an evening out, a proper lady had to plan ahead!

doyle.com

Two Austrian dance card cases circa 1901-1902

Smoking was a common habit in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, even among ladies. The flappers of the Roaring ’20s called cigarettes “gaspers,” and kept them in ornate cigarette cases.

 

Antique Art Nouveau silver and enamel cigarette case

new.liveauctioneers.com

A Russian gun metal and silver Art Nouveau cigarette case, Moscow 1908-1917

For those who carried cigarettes, the natural companion to the cigarette case was the match safe, also known as a “vesta.”

dempseyandbaxter on ebay.com

Gorham Butterfly Woman Sterling Silver Repousse Match Case

American Sterling Silver Vesta

 

 

The Silver Marriage Medal

by Lillian Csernica on July 12, 2013

Busy week here.  Wednesday was my 25th Wedding Anniversary.  It’s staggering to think that much time has passed, more than half of my life.

Chris took the day off work and we spent it doing all kinds of things.  The Winchester Mystery House is every bit as grand and strange as the ads claim.  I don’t think it’s haunted, but I admit I wouldn’t want to go wandering around the place at night.  And I won’t take the basement tour, not even in broad daylight.  Hey, I write horror.  I’d scare myself silly and I know it.

In commemoration of this marital milestone, Chris gave me a sterling silver Celtic knotwork cuff bracelet.  My wedding rings are Celtic knotwork, and on my other ring finger I wear a Celtic knotwork dragon.  The first gift Chris ever gave me was sterling silver Celtic knotwork jewelry.  (Yes, it’s easy for me to accessorize!)

The big surprise was the place where Chris had made our dinner reservations.  He wouldn’t tell me the location, but I did insist on knowing how to dress.  As we pulled up to the parking structure beside the building where the restaurant sits on the top floor, I saw a sign I haven’t seen in twenty-five years.  Chris had brought us to the very fancy restaurant where we went on our first date.  Now that’s style.

I was really impressed.  Chris worked so hard to make the day so special.

Related articles

• 25 Years Silver Anniversary (married.answers.com)