Antique Berlin Iron Pair of Bracelets

Floral rondelles, the five central ones with tassels, comprise this lovely cut steel necklace. Multi-faceted cut steel jewelry was popular during the 18th and mid 19th century. The ...

Colorful depiction of a peasant girl graces this micro mosaic brooch purchased during the Grand Tour and brought back to England to be set in an elaborate...

Georgian shell cameo of a young women set in an 18K gold cannettile bezel. The classical motif of the cameo suggests it was acquired by a traveler on the G...

Enchanting brooch of cut steel and mother of pearl with carved image of a faithful dog standing at attention as his human companion peacefully angles for a catch under the shade of a tree. The scene is carved from Mother of Pearl and mounted in cut steel. The brooch’s long bar hinge with curved "C" catch helps authenticate indicate its age. Mother of pearl is the iridescent inner shell of mollusks that produce pearls. It has been used to carve decorative objects since ancient times and is the most precious part of the shell. Cut steel was a jewelry form crafted by a cottage industry of men and women (and likely child labor as well) in the 18th and 19th century England. Cut steel was also made in France. Using found materials, this enterprising group of artisans fashioned jewelry from nails which after pounding and polishing and setting, imitated the sparkle of diamonds in the light. Cut steel achieved great popularity as it appealed to people of more moderate means and was the only jewelry form in history that was made by steel workers...