Mother-of-Pearl Collectibles and Curiosities

Naturalistically crafted objects in the form of mushrooms and fruits, mostly signed. Executed in ivory using the Shibayama-zaiku technique, incorporating coral, mother-of-pearl, gems...

Very well precision made mid 20th century opera glasses manufactured in Japan (marked); they are still very operable today and working very well. Although categorized as "opera glass...

AMBIANIC presents Italian Petit Point Evening Bag with Mother of Pearl and Gold Tone Hardware Fine needlepoint hand-stitched scenic tapestry embroidery stamped made in Italy gold car...

Absolutely exquisite pair of operable mother of pearl high quality luxury French Opera Glasses with fancy lorgnette style handle and metal mounts. Premium mother of pearl and only th...

Ancient Bulgarian Belt Buckle in silvered metal encrusted with mother-of-pearl reliefs, realized in 19th Century. Excellent condition.

A stunning set of opera or theatre glasses in original leather case. By Colmont FT Paris France, Circa 1890s Gorgeous Mother-of-pearl and abalone inset on brass cylindrical body w...

A Rare and Important Renaissance "Judaica" Carved Oak Wood Cabinet, circa 1680 We are pleased to present a rare and important Renaissance Judaica c...

Darkly playful and meticulously crafted, Alexandra Llewellyn’s Skull Marquetry Poker Set is a bold meditation on risk, luck and the high stakes of ...

A rare and gorgeous vintage Chanel pearl four strand necklace. The statement necklace is made of round and drop shaped faux pearls and is marked ...

Fabulous vintage mother-of-pearl and brass opera glasses made by Chevalier in Paris, circa 1960s. Complete functional glasses that are in good condition and measure 4" x 2.5". Si...

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...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an elegant Gold design and ...

A refined and elegant pair of late 19th century French opera glasses, crafted by the esteemed maker Lefils Paris. Exquisitely detailed in bronze doré and inlaid with glowing mother o...

A large Holy Land mother-of-pearl, abalone shell and olive wood icon Jerusalem, early 20th century Icon: height 55.5cm, width 52cm, depth 18cm Case: height 15.5cm, width 61.5cm, depth 57.5cm In fitted case, presented by the President of the Senate...

Large abalone and mother of pearl icon depicting the Last Supper Jerusalem, Late 19th Century Icon: Height 78cm, width 75cm, depth 13cm Case: Heig...

This piece has a great story. We found this jazz musical instrument with incredible patina and added a thick lucite base and reconstructed this into a one of kind sculpture. The deta...

Antique 19th Century French gold mounted on mother of pearl, extensive traveling etui set, of elongated octagonal form, the gold mounted with polished mother of pearl panels and the lid applied with cast and enamelled floral decoration, the lid opens with a push-button. Inside enclosing the original gold and steel implements:, scissors, pen knife...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an elegant Gold design and ...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an intricate Gold design an...

This Zuni Indigenous American sterling silver and inlaid gemstone figural rabbit brooch or pendant was made by Porfillo and Ann Sheyka. The piece was handmade in most likely the late...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearlwith Gold twisted swirl that leads into an...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an elegant Gold design and ...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an elegant Gold design and ...

Set of 63 Qing Dynasty Chinese mother of pearl counters Chinese, early 19th century Measure: Diameter 3.5cm This set comprises sixty-thre...

An extraordinary Alexandra Llewellyn design in wood marquetry that offers an exciting new way to play this timeless game, our circular Zodiac board...

Antique Collectible Ethnic Tribal Folk Art Crescent Shell Pieces Choker Necklaces from Papua New Guinea. Shell pieces cut from the gold lipped pearl oyster found off the waters of Papua New Guinea. Their opalescent color ranges from deep gold yellow to pale yellow. Each is pierced at the crescent point for a cord attachment enabling the owner to wear them singly or together around the neck. One had a line of holes along the inner edge of the crescent as a decorative feature. Highly Collectible Museum Pieces, worn by men and women rare old Kina Shell Necklaces (Huge Mother of Pearl Crescent) Pectoral Collected from the Foi Tribe (Papua New Guinea), Circa 1920’s. From the Art collection of Marian and John Scott. Acquisition date: 1969. Evaluation date records: 1982. About: For the people of the Highlands, shells were considered treasures. As they were items that came from distant shores of Papua New Guinea they were already objects used for trade. The number one source of mother of pearl wealth was and is still is from the Thursday Island, one of the chain of Island that suggests the ancient land bridge across the Torres Straits from Cape York, Australia to New Guinea. They were fashioned into objects of adornment worn on costumes, hair, nose, etc. Of particular rarity was the gold lipped pearl shell. References: Plumes and Arrows, Inside New Guinea, COlin Simpson, Angus and RObertson, 1968. CATEGORY Anthropology: Ethnography. Tribal Kina Shell Pectoral Necklace, Pearl shell ornamentation (neck). Kina (shell money) Oject part of Pacific Cultures Collections. Purchased from the amazing private collection of Mark Lissauer who spent his life collecting niche ethnographic pieces. About Mark Lissauer: Mark Lissauer spent forty years travelling abroad for months at a time collecting ethnographic artefacts primarily from New Guinea and the islands of the West Pacific, and from Asia and Himalayan countries. Fluent in five languages and having in the course of business travelled to more than forty countries, Mark is well-known to museums and art-collectors around the world for his long career and his interesting and diverse collection of rare ethnographic material. Mark knows the origin and symbolism of each piece. Through extensive research and more than ninety trips around the globe, Mark familiarised himself with the traditions of the various cultures he visited in order to understand the meaning of each object to its region and tribe. His home has a specialist library and several rooms are filled with tribal carvings, textiles and ethnographica. He acquired his first tribal piece in 1948 during a business trip to Milne Bay, New Guinea, and has since documented the acquisition of some 35,000 items. Several thousands of these have been sold to important private collections and museums worldwide, including the Rockefeller Museum, the British Museum and the Musée National des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie, now incorporated into the Louvre Museum. Estimator certificate of authenticity by Wayne Heathcote Tribal Art Dealer and Expert. Heathcote has a flash gallery in Brussels, where much of the tribal art business is centred, and is an expert at Sotheby's tribal art sale...

A lovely little looking glass that has a compact design. The glass part slides out. The case is Mother of Pearl with beautiful graining. It shimmers. The metal is likely some sort of...

Magnifying Glass in Mother of Pearl and Solid Wood 1920s Magnificent early 20th century magnifying glass in solid wood and inlaid mother of pearl. Wonderful curved handle and high...

AUTHOR: Dance Card Notebook. TITLE: 19th C. Palais-Royal Work Mother of Pearl & Gilded Bronze Dance Card Notebook. PUBLISHER: France, c.1800's. DESCRIPTION: 1 vol., 3-3/4" x 2-1/...

This charming musical jewelry and sewing box is a work of sublime artistry. Almost certainly German or Austrian in origin and crafted of deep, ebonized...

A fine pair of French enamel, brass and mother of pearl opera glasses, pink enamelled and jewelled barrels, with mother of pearl caps. Go...

18th century Italian crucifix with gold-plated kyanite, calcite crystals in matrix, and baroque pearls. The crucifix is originally from a church in Liguria. It is hand-carved and pai...

Wildly luxurious, Alexandra Llewellyn’s Jungle Marquetry Poker Set brings the rainforest to the card table. Inlaid with over 1,000 pieces of sustai...

A superb and rare pair of mother of pearl Shibayama opera glasses in its original leather carry case. The beautiful mother of pearl case decorated by bugs. The Shibayama technique wa...

Dimensions: L: 1 3/8in W: 1 3/8in This Pair of Vintage Coco Chanel Clip On Earrings are truly spectacular!! If you look at the photos provided you will see the attention to detail ...

A fine pair of steel knives with single edged curved blade mother of pearl and brass inlaid handles, and a hard stone butt we believe to be nephrite. Age related wear and abrasions...

This fantastic mother-of-pearl icon was made in Jerusalem at the end of the 19th century, and is beautifully carved with mother-of-pearl and set with abalon...

A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...

Large Danish Paperweight Die in Rosewood and Mother-of-Pearl, Mid-Century Modern. Measures: 2 Inch.

Art Nouveau silver, mother of pearl and glass walking stick French, c. 1900 Height 87.5cm, diameter 3cm This walking stick was crafted at the ...

Charles X dance card in mother of pearl with gilt bronze mounts. It is engraved with plants, flowery interlacing, and bouquets of flowers. An enameled pansy adorns the cover, a typic...

A beautiful retractable graphite Pencil - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Silver plate - The tip has a beautiful Citrine Stone...

Vintage 55 stone untreated turquoise nugget necklace from the Kingman mine. Acquired on June 7, 1975 from Karen Hinton, Lancaster, PA. It has a double jocla as well simply draped ove...

A white mother of pearl ashtray with dolphin sculpture, circa early-20th century. Piece is polished mother-of-pearl with a dolphin sculpture/statue and t...

A wonderful early Dunhill Unique Lighter with Mother of Pearl and Horn decoration. The Unique lighter series are special and this is a working beauty. The lift arm design works well ...

18th century rare Dutch mother of pearl pin booklet with a silver back and lock A mother of pearl pin booklet with a silver back and lock. On ...

A beautiful vintage Fountain Pen - a lovely decorative piece for the desk, but also still fully functional. The handle is Mother of Pearl that leads into an intricate Gold design an...

Charming Mother of Pearl chatelaine perfume scent or snuff bottle. Very intricate details including a butterfly on the base. Wonderful piece to add to a collection of these desirable...

A beautiful vintage white beaded handbag with brass hardware decorated with Mother-Of-Pearl, pastel enamels and marcasite details, circa early to m...

Charles X dance card in mother of pearl and ormolu, embellished with flowers and flowery interlacing. It is engraved with “Souvenir” and decorated with deli...

A vintage Native American Navajo turquoise stone necklace with authentic 26 pearls and two carved cross pendants in sterling silver. The necklace is attributed to the Jewelry designer T-Foree. This vintage necklace will make a statement and is a collectible piece. To the Navajo tribe, the color turquoise represents happiness, luck, and health. ... Black, white, blue, and green were the colors within the turquoise stone which represent the colors of the natural world. A horseshoe-shaped symbol or a symbol called “Naja” appeared often in tradition Navajo jewelry...

Art Deco Magnifying Glass in Mother of Pearl and Silver Plate 1930s Sometimes, the only quality an item really needs is beauty - and this art deco magnifying glass has it all. Age, ...

Art Decò walking stick: jewel cane, cylindrical knob in rock crystal, band made of 18Kt gold, fretwork, 4 squares of two sizes, which allow you ...

A superb pair of late 19th century Palais Royal Shibayama opera glasses in mother of pearl. Wonderfully decorated with exotic pheasants, peony and bamboo. The Shibayama technique was...

This petite mother-of-pearl carving is a delightful example of the button-like toggles worn by men and women throughout the Qing dynasty. Because traditional Chinese clothing didn't ...

Two Large Magnifiers With 19th Century Gilded and Mother of Pearl Handles Largest: 4"w x 2"d. x 12.75"h smallest: 3.5" x 1.25"d x 10.25"h

Curious wriggling fish made of mother-of-pearl Fish made of mother of pearl veneer. Very fine and quality work. Fish assembled with moving elements.

Early 20th century Bezalel Jerusalem wooden tray inlaid with Jerusalem stone and mother of pearl. The large tray is carved with the Seven Species on its...

Gold portrait brooch with pearls en diamonds.

American Sheraton Mahogany five drawer miniature chest with a carved molded edge top, flanking turned bulbous half columns, turned wooden knobs with central mother of pearl inlays, a...