Gold Mounted Objects

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamond, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Obsidian Lapis Horse An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt rock-crystal, obsidian and lapis lazuli jeweled sculpture "Bucéphale, Chevaux de légende", "Bucephalus, A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1998. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock crystal slab is finely applied with a lapis lazuli half-horse with harness mounted in 18k gold and brilliant cut diamonds, between two crystal and lapis lazuli columns adorned with gold and diamonds, insert with 7 ruby cabochons and 1 emerald cabochon, the obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5029 DIV Bucephalus (c355-326 BC) is among the most famous horses in history, and it was said that this he could not be tamed. The young Alexander the Great, of course, tamed him – and went on to ride his beloved equine companion for many years and into many battles. The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10" high x 9" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

Impressive antique and top quality hand crafted eleven light chandelier with a fabulous fable creature 'Orge'. An ogre (in English) is a deformed human-like creature and bad spirit ...

Pair of 18th century Italian gold leaf candlestick tops with polished fossil agate coral and a natural forming baroque pearl. The 18th century fragments come from Tuscany and have th...

A stunning pair of Italian 19th century giltwood wall appliqués–decorative elements to enhance the architectural program–likely obtained from a church or cathedral as they are flat a...

This is a unique custom surfboard featuring a marquetry deck incorporating 24 carat gold leaf, designed and hand-crafted by the w o o d p o p studio which specialises in marquetry an...

18th century Italian "Florence Fragment" candlestick base mounted and adorned with quartz crystals and topped with an ammonite. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved from the historic Florence Flood of 1966. It is part of the The Florence Fragment Collection which is exhibiting with Museo de’ Medici in Florence, Italy this fall. This is a collection of historical fragment...

An Exquisite 14K Gold, Diamonds, Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, and Semi Precious Stone Mounted Rhodonite Camel. Possibly by Verdura, circa 1970, Italy. A very good quality and unusual gold mounted jeweled object...

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Jade, Mother-Of-Pearl and Smoky Quartz, Carved Horse Sculpture, Jeweled Mounted Object. An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt, rock-crystal, jade, obsidian, mother-of-pearl, and smoky quartz carved jeweled sculpture "CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE", "A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1991. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock-crystal slab is finely applied with a carved smoky -quartz and jade horse with a harness mounted in 18k gold, brilliant -cut diamonds, rubies, turquoise, and amethyst chains and pendants. The top columns adorned with 18k gold and brilliant cut diamond pendants, the bottom with gold and mother of pearl plaques. The obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE" / N° 05 / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5003 D The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10.5" high x 8.5" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

This magnificent study of flowers is wrought from gold and silver, amethyst and other minerals, and natural pearls. The study features sprigs of Holly with mineral berries and gold leaves springing from a green stone crop of rock. Grasses, also wrought from gold, spring from the same crop of rock, and the floor is littered with litter and debris, including an exquisitely produced pinecone. The flowers are set above a brown backing and surrounded by a red mount within a gilt frame. The work is signed ‘William Tolliday...

1. Professional and Artistic Description: We are pleased to present for sale a superb and richly detailed ornamental Cup, testifying to the zenith of French Decorative Arts during ...

Pair of 19th century Italian hand-carved and gilded angel wings on calcite crystal points in matrix. The pair hand-carved gilded and gilded angel wings are originally from a histor...

Sculptural 18th century Italian candlestick with a fossil clam shell and gold leaf barnacles mounted on a cut rock coral base. The hand-carved, 18th century candlestick originally came from a church in Tuscany. It is mounted on a cut and fossilized rock coral base. The mounted fossil...

18th century Italian hand-carved and painted angel wing with baroque pearls and mounted on honey calcite crystal. The hand-carved angel wing was once part of a heavenly, angelic de...

18th century Italian silver and gold leaf crucifix adorned with baroque pearls and mounted on a mica cluster and a calcite crystal. The mica specimen is from the Great Smoky Mountain...

Sculptural 18th century Italian mecca miniature fragment with fossil agate coral. The fragment was originally part of an 18th century Italian candlestick from a historic church. I...

Late 17th century Italian gold leaf angel wing with a coordinating baroque pearl and unique fossilized aragonite. The hand-carved angel wing was once part of a heavenly, angelic dep...

A rare 18K gold, enamel and diamond mounted carved labradorite turkey / Capercaillie bird sculpture on a petrified wood base, attributed to Manfred Wild, Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Very finely crafted of the highest quality and best color Madagascar labradorite with excellent labradorescence. The entire hand carved turkey displays and excellent shimmer effect known as labradorescence. Madagascar labradorite, rich in the phenomenal characteristics of this remarkable gemstone which displays an ever-changing sheen, that is extremely suitable for the rendering of this turkey bird...

A fine and substantial 18k gold, amethyst and natural pearl pendant. The pendant modelled in gold as a crown is of the very highest quality, the gem is set with five imposing oval fa...

18th century Italian gold leaf angel wing with rutilated quartz crystals on natural-forming aragonite crystal cluster. The hand-carved angel wing was once part of a heavenly, angelic depiction in a historic church in Italy. The aragonite is from Morocco and is known for this particular type of crystalized formations. The mineral emulates a cloud which is compliments the 18th century Italian gilded angel wing. The rutile quartz crystals are adorned on the base and aspects of the wing and the gold of the rutile perfectly matches the original gilded 18th century Italian artifact...

Handmade blue Murano glass vase with internal bubble decorations and lateral crystal. This fantastic Art Deco style artwork will add an extra touch of class to your environment. Va...

18th century Italian bronze-gold crucifix with coordinating gold leaf shells and crystal points mounted on a crystal geode. The gold leaf shells adorn the crucifix and the base of th...

Handmade blue Murano glass vase with 24-karat gold decorations and inner bubbles. Work performed by Murano artisan Stefano Mattiello. Vase signed with cold engraving by artist. ...

18th century Italian sunray with baroque pearls mounted on an aragonite crystal base. The 18th century gold leaf sunray originally part of a halo or sunburst motif in an artistic depiction in a historic church. It is mounted onto the white aragonite...

18th century Italian sunray with baroque pearls mounted on an aragonite crystal base. The 18th century gold leaf sunray originally part of a halo or sunburst motif in an artistic depiction in a historic church. It is mounted onto the white aragonite...

A pair of 18th century gilded Italian fragments adorned with golden quartz crystals and baroque pearls. The pair are free-standing or can be modified to be hung on a wall upon reques...

18th century Italian "Florence Fragment" candlestick base with a rock coral head and coordinating elestial quartz crystals crafted to the coral and the feet of the candlestick. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved from the historic Florence Flood of 1966. It is part of the The Florence Fragment Collection which is exhibiting with Museo de’ Medici this fall. This is a collection of historical fragment...

18th century Italian eucharist emblem fragment mounted on mica with garnets with a baroque pearl and topaz. The ecclesiastical fragment was original used to depict a symbol of the eu...

17th century Italian candlestick base fragment from Tuscany mounted with a rutile quartz crystal. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved from the Florence...

2023 Colletion of decorative objects by Ghiro Studio (Italy,Milan). The 'Eye' is not only a luxury refined piece of furniture but it is also a hand carved sculpture designed to embel...

2023 Colletion of decorative objects by Ghirò Studio (Italy,Milan). This sculpture is not only a luxury refined piece of furniture but it is also a hand carved sculpture designed ...

18th century Italian gilded hand-carved fragment crest mounted on a golden, polished hematoid slab and adorned with baroque pearls. The gilded fragment was originally from a historic...

Ruler Selenite with gold leaf on a Lucite base. Selenite logs are single, prismatic selenite crystals from Morocco that were formed in extensive beds by the evaporation of ocean brine. This mineral is characterized by a silky, pearly luster called satin spare. It is then lined with gold leaf which contrasts beautifully with the sleek selenite. Interi transforms Italian artifacts...

18th century Italian gold leaf angel wing mounted on tourmaline in crystal quartz. The large, gold leaf and painted angel wing originally came from a church in Tuscany. It was onc...

18th century Italian hand-carved gold leaf angel with fossil agate coral wings and mounted aragonite. The hand-carved angel was once part of a decorative, angelic depiction in a ...

18th century Italian gold leaf altar stick with a Chesapecten plated fossil scallop shell and natural forming Baroque pearls. The Chesapecten plate...

18th century Italian hand-carved gold leaf angel wing on a crystal quartz cluster with Baroque pearls. The hand-carved gold leaf angel wing is originally from a historic church in Liguria. This piece is particularly rare and exquisite due to its unique shape and size. It is gold leaf and has a bole underlay. The ecclesiastical artifact is mounted on a bed of quartz crystals. The Baroque pearls, tangerine quartz...

A rare carved Hawk's Eye agate tiger on a 14k gold mounted rock crystal base, circa 1960. "A Jeweled Sculpture" An incredible carved tiger made...

18th century Italian gold leaf altar stick with a Chesapecten plated fossil scallop shell and natural forming Baroque pearls. The Chesapecten plate...

Sculptural 18th century Italian mecca fragment candlestick with a fossil shell and wulfenite on a polished calcite base. The fragment was originally p...

Handmade red Murano glass vase with 24-karat gold decorations and inner bubbles. Work performed by Murano artisan Stefano Mattiello. Vase signed with cold engraving by artist. ...

An 18K gold, diamonds, amethyst, tourmaline, bloodstone, carved emerald, opal and jasper toucan bird resting on a gold tree branch, mounted on a carved malachite base. A very rare and unique gold-mounted jeweled object...

Silver and gold Torah crown, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1925. On silver base decorated with a small gold Stars of David. The lower ribs decorated with applie...

18th-century Italian mecca arrow with a baroque pearl on a polished calcite base. The arrow was once used as part of a decorative motif in artistic depictions (most likely of Saint ...

Early 16th Century Spanish gold gilded and polychromed carved wood sculpture of John The Baptist.

A pair of 18th century Italian finial bases with coordinating polished agate coral on a Lucite base. Florida’s state stone, agatized coral, began as li...

Sculpture with Seashell Assembly and Base of Antique Classical Golden Cup

Pair of 16th Century Italian carved polychromed angelic sculptures.

15th century Italian carved wood, polychromed and gold gilded sculptures of four Pillars of the Christian Faith (Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Luke, Saint Matthew).

A pair of late 17th Century Italian Baroque carved wood, gold gilded and polychromed Archangel sculptures mounted on Lucite bases.

18th century Italian hand-carved gold leaf tassel ornaments. The tassels originally came from an Italian church in Tuscany and were used du...

16th Century Italian carved-wood and polychromed sculpture of Jesus Christ the conqueror raising the flag after his resurrection.

18th century Italian hand-carved gilded angel with fossil agate coral wings and mounted pinkish white aragonite. The hand-carved angel is holding a coordinating baroque pearl. It was...

Sculptural amethyst crystal with fluorite on an 18th century Italian altar base. The amethyst crystal is originally from Brazil and has a fluorite inclusion. It is mounted on an ...

18th-century Italian blue and gilded arrow mounted on aquamarine in matrix and adorned with aquamarine and baroque pearls.  The arrow was once used as part of a decorative motif in ...

18th century Italian station of the cross on calcite crystals in matrix with a natural-forming baroque pearl. This is the second station of the cross in a group of 14 and originall...

18th century Italian station of the cross on calcite crystals in matrix with a natural-forming baroque pearl. The station of the cross is originally from a historical church in Ita...

A pair of 18th century Italian gilded and hand-carved bases with two matching angel wing shells and adorned with coordinating natural forming baroque pearls. The hand-carved, gold le...

Sculptural 18th century Italian hand-carved leaf fragment mounted on a formation of pyrite in a magnetite matrix and adorned with natural-forming baroque pearls. The fragment artifa...

19th century Italian hand-carved mecca angel in flight with naturally forming baroque pearls on a bed of chalcopyrite in a coordinating Italian fragment base. The antique angel was...

18th century Italian fragment topped with natural forming clusters of fossil shells and barnacles. This fragment is from a church in Florence. It was found and saved from the histori...