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DEVOTIONAL PENDANT. OIL ON AVENTURINE, ENAMEL, GOLD… SPAIN, 17TH CENTU...

Devotional pendant or reliquary. Oil paint on aventurine, enamel, gold. Spain, 17th century. Devotional medallion or pendant or reliquary made of aventurine or aventurine with an octagonal shape and faceted fronts, enhanced with a series of enamels combining black and gold, which protect two oil paintings of a Catholic Christian religious theme, located one on each side of the piece. . Protected, you can see a very particular Virgin and Child for being inspired by the Icon of the Madonna del Popolo (Rome, Italy), and a simplified Martyrdom of San Lorenzo (the saint, the grill and an angel with a crown and the palm corresponding to the theme). The edges of the piece have been protected with simple metallic elements. The painting of San Lorenzo follows a habitual composition in the Spanish school, and would be reminiscent of works such as the painting of the main altar of the Church of San Lorenzo in Huesca, for example, but also of others such as the engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi (executed around 1527 ) in some details. The so-called icon of the Madonna del Popolo was well known for being considered to have been made by Saint Luke, and was brought to the church of the same denomination by Gregory IX from the Sancta Sanctorum of the Lateran Palace after a flood caused a terrible plague in the city and through a solemn procession with the image to Santa Maria del Popolo. As for the material of the piece, a certain type of glass and a type of quartz (which can be green or reddish brown, and usually have tiny elements of yellow mica that give it golden reflections) are known as aventurine or aventurine. In the first case, it is known that "aventurine" or "stellaria" appears mentioned in the Murano workshops for the first time during the first quarter of the 17th century, in reference to a paste that is very complicated to produce (it is said that the name comes from of this circumstance, that is, that its creation was due to luck or chance) that imitates the effects of that stone (from India and Russia at that time) thanks to the inclusion of copper particles, and that it was used as if it was stone (cut) given the complexity of its use in blowing (practically impossible). And, dealing with this material, it is necessary to mention "The Nativity" by Pietro da Cortona, dated around 1656, which is kept in the El Prado Museum (Madrid) because it is an oil on aventurine or aventurine. Compare this work with the reliquary medallion with an image of the Virgin painted on aventurine dated between 1600 and 1633 in the Lázaro Galdiano Museum (Madrid); with another devotional medallion in gold and aventurine from the National Museum of Decorative Arts (Madrid) dated from the 17th-18th centuries; or with the medallion that is also a reliquary that presents an Immaculate Conception painted on aventurine, dated between the 18th and 19th centuries from the National Museum of Decorative Arts (Madrid); or with the 16th-century Spanish devotional pendant from the Metropolitan Museum in New York with Saint John the Baptist and the Virgin (which combines black and white enamel, in a different way than the present piece); or with the 17th century black and white enamel and gold triangular pendant from the Instituto de Valencia de Don Juan in Madrid. Weight: 103 grams.

· Size: 9x0.7x8 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZF0700
SWISS GOLD MUSICAL FOB SEAL. CIRCA 1820

Pendant with music box. Gold. Switzerland, around 1820. Pendant made of gold alloyed with different metals to give it different tones that presents a piece at the top (which winds the music box mechanism), an arch ending in two ram heads placed facing each other with respect to an acorn and on an oval base (which contains the mechanism), decorated on the outside with a band of plant elements. Known as chain seals because of their shape, many are not really seals, but pieces designed to look like one and hide a series of curious mechanisms, whether flat figures, automata or music boxes. These types of pieces have been seen accompanying pocket watches and also on chains, worn around the neck or attached to the waist. Highly appreciated by private collectors, this type of piece can also be found in decorative arts museums around the world (Victoria and Albert Museum, etc.) Weight: 21 grams.

· Size: 3x2.5x4.5 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZF0832
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RELIQUARY PENDANT. BRONZE, ENAMEL. 17TH

Reliquary pendant with cross of Saint Dominic. Gilt bronze, enamels. XVII century. Octagonal-shaped gilded bronze pendant with openings on the two smaller fronts and in the central part, decorated on the outside with smooth stepped moldings and, on the front parts, with the black and white cross with flordelised ends of the Order of Preachers (Saint Domingo) and, on the other hand, only the gold. When opening in the central part, a protected image of a Dominican saint is discovered with its corresponding relic highlighted in an oval at the bottom. Reliquaries or devotional pendants with opening have been preserved since Byzantine times, being usually in the shape of a cross or a book. Later, we have an example such as the book-shaped pendant from around 1600 from the Courtauld Gallery in London, with painted glass panels on a gilded silver frame; The most striking works are the Spanish pendant from around 1550-1600 from the British Museum in London (WB. 183); others are somewhat simpler, such as those made of silver that contain miniature carvings of religious scenes (Museo del Traje, Madrid) in oval, circular, square, etc. shapes; and devotional medals without an easily visible opening that contain relics inside. The present example would have surely been used by an important position within the Order of Preachers both for the material and for the fact that it contains a relic with an image of the saint, and we must not forget its connection with the Inquisition in Spain. Weight: 80 grams.

· Size: 5x2x6.5 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZF0817
"COL CHEMISE" NECKLACE IN 18K ROSE GOLD AND DIAMONDS

“Col Chemise” necklace, in l8k rose gold and platinum, decorated with simple 8/8 cut diamonds. Designed as a necklace to the box, it is made of a double "Brick link" chain that develops on its front face a ribbon decoration decorated on its bezel with diamonds set on platinum as a crescent festoon at the top, creating a shirt collar from whose center Two beehive-shaped tassels hang from it. Weight: 135 grams Diamonds set: 136 Approximate weight: 6.50 Cts. Period and style: Chevalier. Typology: “Col Chemise”, Around 1945-50

· Size: int 13x12 cms / long ext 19 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZE104
RELIQUARY PENDANT WITH FLAGELLATION OF CHRIST. SILVER, ENAMEL. 16TH CE...

Reliquary with "Flagellation of Christ". Silver, enamel. Century XVI. Oval locket pendant decorated on the outside with a smooth stripe and raised elements on the edge (with curved profiles and simple engraved scrolls), which has a chain of smooth oval links (all practically the same). On the front and on the back it shows two figurative scenes with striking polychromy. On the one hand, in the center of the composition is Christ tied to a tall column, being whipped by two executioners or soldiers with branches, following a common composition in the 16th century. In the other, the leading role is in a hole in the pendant protected by glass (since it contains a relic, enhanced by a Latin cross), highlighted in the composition with rays of light and a beam of light; This element appears supported by an angel and surrounded by winged heads (common in the Renaissance) floating among clouds, and has been accompanied by Saint Joseph with the Child and the Flowering Rod, and Saint Anthony of Padua (also with the Child and a bouquet of flowers). This type of jewelry was always of great value both for the materials in which they were made and for their religious content. Despite this (or perhaps because of this appreciation) there are not too many examples of quality and in good condition, being possible to find them only in important private collections and in prominent museums such as the Fundación Valencia de Don Juan in Madrid, the Museo National Museum of Decorative Arts in the same city, etc., or ancient religious centers such as the Convent of Las Descalzas Reales in Madrid. Weight: 160 grams

· Size: 8x1x10 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZF0396
18 KTS GOLD BROOCH WITH GARNETS

18 kt gold brooch with garnets. 18-carat gold brooch formed by a symmetrical composition based on loops and scrolls with a fine decoration in light relief of plant elements with a slight reminiscence of Neoclassicism works. In the upper finial there is a circular faceted garnet, accompanied by three oval ones (the central one with gold pearls around it) in the central part (these stand out thanks to the presence of other circular cut gems), and another one in the shape of a teardrop in the bottom. From this body hangs, thanks to four rings, two gold cords with scale-shaped links, each ending in tassels, recalling textile examples often used in draperies and other elements both in the 19th century and later. Jewelry with hanging elements attached "in a tremble" so that they move when attached or placed was common in 19th century jewelry, with the aim of adding some movement and avoiding the rigidity of the pieces, adding a touch of originality. to compositions. At this time, the composition based on classicist plant elements accompanied by flowers and lacework was common. Compared with the present example, this one is more reminiscent of models inspired by works that follow a style known as Neo-Renaissance for following the artistic style that was born in Italy in the 15th century, with those volutes and the powerful composition based on smooth shapes and volutes, Also responding to this relationship are the fine plant elements in relief already mentioned. However, the chromatic combination achieved by the gems provides the softness required by the aesthetic taste of the time, without the striking contrasts that are more characteristic of the oldest jewelry that has been preserved. Weight: 19.4 grams.

· Size: 8x4 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: JBR1713
DEVOTIONAL SILVER PENDANT. 17-18TH CENTURIES.

reliquary cross. Silver, clear glass. 17th-18th century Devotional pendant made of silver and in the shape of a Latin cross, decorated on the outside with simple scrolls, spikes, pearls and other classicist-inspired elements, as well as a ring to wear the jewel around the neck. The front has seven oval holes (the one located where the larger arms cross) protected with transparent glass; the back is smooth, with the material in its color. Typologically, there are similar examples of Portuguese origin, made of rock crystal and protected by silver bands, without scrolls and other decorations, dated between the 16th and 17th centuries, kept in separate private collections. This jewel shows profiles with much more movement than these two, although the motifs and the simplicity of the lines respond to classicist influences. This type of jewelry was of great value to its owners, both for the materials in which it was made and for its content, considered sacred and protective. Despite this high value (or precisely because of it), few examples of good quality and in a good state of conservation have come down to us. There are medallions similar to the present only in some important institutions such as the Valencia de Don Juan Foundation in Madrid, the National Museum of Decorative Arts (Madrid), the Lázaro Galdiano (Madrid), the Museum of Beliefs and Popular Religiosity of the Aragonese Pyrenees (Abizanda, Huesca), the Metropolitan Museum (New York), etc. And in prominent religious institutions such as the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela or the Convent of the Descalzas Reales in Madrid.

· Size: 6,5x10 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZF0190
18 KTS GOLD BROOCH IN LOSANGE WITH CABOCHON GARNET

18kt gold brooch in lozenge with cabochon garnet. Rhomboid brooch decorated with plant elements and gold pearls in a particular arrangement of holes inspired by scallops, with a symmetrical and balanced composition. In the center and surrounded by gold bands (concave, fine cord...) there is an oval, smooth garnet, with an eight-pointed star in the center highlighted with white elements (a larger pearl in the center surrounded by eight other smaller) contrasting and highlighting the gem. On the back, it presents a particular figurative decoration with a hunting dog carrying a bird in its jaws. Weight: 14.60 grams.

· Size: 5,3x4 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: JBR1732
14KTS GOLD BROOCH WITH THREE GARNETS

14kt gold brooch with three garnets. Lady's brooch made in 14kts gold formed by some base shapes arranged in the form of a knot, leaving waves on the outer profile, with the surface decorated with fine plant shapes of leaves and flowers. In the center, simple vegetable scrolls have been arranged, framing two teardrop-shaped garnets located flanking another central oval garnet. The fastening element on the back arranges the clasp to go, in principle, vertically. Weight: 17.11 grams.

· Size: 6 x 4 cms
ANTIQUES

Ref.: JBR1432
RELIQUARY PENDANT. SILVER, ENAMEL. 17TH CENTURY.

Reliquary pendant. Silver, enamel, textile. XVII century. Polygonal pendant of significant size and silver frame in its color decorated with small pearls of the same material located in the corners of the edge that has a ring at the top to hang it or carry it hanging. One of its fronts presents a textile background under a transparent glass sheet, surely designed to contain relics. The other has brightly colored enamel that shows the Virgin Mary in three quarters, with the naked Baby Jesus in her arms and both figures cut out against a background of landscape with classicist architectural elements (column with fluted shaft on pedestal, with mouldings) and details of a natural landscape (thus being able to link the moment with the Rest on the Flight into Egypt; compare, likewise, with works such as the Virgin and Child by Anton van Dyck from the Cerralbo Museum in Madrid or the oil painting from The Walters Art Museum, or the engraving of Paulus Pontius following models by Van Dyck -where the elements coincide in arrangement with those of the medallion-, for example). This type of jewelry was always of great value both for the materials in which they were made and for their religious content. Despite this (or perhaps because of this appreciation) there are not too many examples of quality and in good condition, being possible to find them only in important private collections and in prominent museums such as the Fundación Valencia de Don Juan in Madrid, the Museo National Museum of Decorative Arts in the same city, etc., or ancient religious centers such as the Convent of Las Descalzas Reales in Madrid.

· Size: 6,5x0.5x8 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZF0399
VICTORIAN BROOCH IN 18 KT GOLD WITH AMETHYST

Victorian 18kt gold brooch with amethyst. XIX century. 18-carat gold brooch that has a fine metallic chain dangling, finished in a golden safety pin intended to hold lightweight decorative elements or be fixed to the fabric, providing some movement to the jewel. The center of attention is an oval, facet-cut amethyst, finely set so as not to draw attention away from the gem's setting. This is made up of an elaborate and delicate composition: in the centers of the sides there are four rectangular-shaped pieces with curved smaller ends, decorated with fine plant elements and scrollwork as classicist memories; these elements are interspersed with two concave volutes that flank a leaf (which also presents a fine vegtal decoration in slight relief); This frame is joined to the gem, visually, by a series of elements reminiscent of fine ties with a decoration similar to that of those aforementioned rectangular pieces. Historically, the Victorian Era begins in 1837 with the coronation of a young Queen Victoria in England, and would end in 1901 with her death. It was the period of greatest development of the Industrial Revolution, something that also influences jewelry thanks to important technological advances in practically all fields (hydraulic power, the steam engine, gas, etc. influence the machinery to be used). , and the broad political dominance of England made it possible to take into account “exotic” materials from the colonies. Advances in machinery make it possible to slightly lower jewelry costs, obtain new cuts in gems with a greater number of facets (thanks to faster lathe speeds), novelties in alloys (lowering of gold leagues since 1854 in England, introduction of galvanization…), etc. As for the designs, these were always marked by the taste of Queen Victoria. Thus, in general, three stages can be distinguished: the Early Victorian or Romantic Period (c. 1837-1860), with frequent inspiration from the world of nature; the Middle Victorian or Great Period (c. 1860-1885), marked by mourning for the death of the Queen's mother and her husband Alberto in the same year and the Civil War in the United States, among other events, influenced by the archaeological discoveries of the moment and the technical novelties in the enameling and granulation of gold, and the frequent presence of gems; the Late Victorian or Aesthetic Period (1885-1901), marked by the discoveries of diamond mines in Africa, which made stones cheaper allowing more frequent use in jewelry, more frequent use of ivory and soft color combinations, and a reduction the size of the works as a general rule. Measurements: 4.7 x 4.4 cm. Weight: 21.07 grams.

· Size: 4,7 x 4,4 cm.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: JBR0196
GOLD (14kts) BROOCH WITH GARNET AND DIAMOND

14kt gold brooch with garnet and diamond. Oval 14-carat gold brooch with an outer edge topped by a cord with gold pearls, decorated on the front with a composition based on curves that leaves smooth spaces for simplified plant motifs and two semicircles on the vertical axis of the smaller side. that shelter other plant elements. In the center, framed by a band with cords and gold pearls and with two small pearls on the longest axis (in the triangular spaces left by the aforementioned curves), there is a smooth cabochon garnet with a star of eight points in the center of the gem (in turn, a diamond appears in the star), achieving a striking color combination. The marked symmetry of the piece is reminiscent of jewelry made in the 19th century following the Neoclassical style. Weight: 19.81 grams.

· Size: 4,6 x 3,6 cm.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: JBR2568
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BRONZE AND ENAMEL DOMINICAN ORDER CROSS. 17TH CENTURY.

Cross of the Order of Preachers or habit of Santo Domingo. Gilded bronze, enamel. XVII century. Medal with the flordelisada cross of the Order of Preachers, also known as Santo Domingo or Dominicans, made of gilt bronze and decorated with black and white enamels. This emblem used to be used by members (family members) of the Court of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, since Pope Gregory IX entrusted to this order the persecution of heretics in the bull "Ille humani generis". Weight: 13 grams.

· Size: 4.5x0.2x5 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZF0826
CAMEO WITH GOLD (9 KTS) FRAME; BROOCH. VICTORIAN ERA, CIRCA 1860.

Gold-mounted cameo (9 kts); brooch. Victorian era, around 1860. Cameo with a 9 kt gold (9 kt) perforated die-cut frame decorated with a symmetrical composition based on opposing “Cs”, simplified scrolls and veneered shapes in the equator of the piece (on both sides). The cameo itself, made on Cassius Cypraea (and thus of the type known in the 19th century as "coral"), presents a scene from classical mythology: on the left appears Aurora, accompanied by a winged child with a torch (Phosphor , the morning star) and preceding the chariot of the Sun with four horses, which appears surrounded by the Hours and is driven by Apollo. Note the compositional and iconographic resemblance between the scene and the fresco painted by Guido Reni between 1613 and 1614 in the Casino dell'Aurora Pallavicini (Rome, Italy), entitled "L'Aurora", which, moreover, was often used as a inspiration for works on different media throughout the 19th century. Weight: 20.29 grams.

· Size: 6,5x5,5x1 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZE101
CAMEO WITH VICTORIAN GOLD FRAME (CIRCA 1850).

Cameo. Victorian saddle, circa 1850. Cameo with bevelled rose gold frame made of shell (Cassius Cypraea; hence the type known in the 19th century as “coral”), with a figure seated in the clouds holding a jug and a bowl from which an eagle eats. The theme, inspired by the classical mythology of Antiquity, is the personification of youth, called Junventas or Juventus (her figure ended up being assimilated with that of the Greek goddess Hebe, who also personified youth and helped the gods by filling their cups with nectar, harnessed the horses of Hera, etc.), accompanied by the eagle of Jupiter (Greek Zeus). This is a very common theme in 19th century jewelry, especially cameos, as it is considered the quintessential emblem of the diligent, caring, and responsible daughter. Weight: 7.83 grams

· Size: 4x5x1 cms
ANTIQUES

Ref.: ZE103
14 KTS GOLD BROOCH WITH PENDANT AND 10 GARNETS

Gold brooch (14 kts) with pendant and 10 garnets. Lady's brooch made of 14-carat gold formed by an oval first piece, which is attached to the fabric, with an oval shape. The profile has been highlighted by a gold turned cord, leaving a composition at the top: two plant forms on the sides, leaving the center for a lobed line (reminiscent of a flower), which frames a composition with a garnet round faceted center, flanked by four smaller ones, which alternate with gold pearls, placed on another smooth turned cord. From the lower part of this area hangs, “en tremblant”, another circular element made up of a disc decorated in fine relief and highlighted by a cord, which also has a central garnet surrounded by four smaller ones, also alternated with pearls of Prayed. A pineapple shape hangs from this piece, completing the composition of the jewel, reminiscent of Neoclassical works of the 19th century. Weight: 10.92g.

· Size: 5,9 x 4,3 cms
ANTIQUES

Ref.: JBR1113
RIBBON BROOCH. SILVER, STRASS. CA FIRST THIRD 20TH CENTURY.

Bow brooch. Silver, rhinestones. Around the first third of the 20th century. Partially hallmarked. Bow-shaped brooch made of silver in its color with a needle on the back and a composition on the front combining white stones and lines of fine red stones, enhancing the shape and lines of the piece. It shows similarities with brooches from the firm Collingwood and Sons (Birmingham, England). Presents a partial and small contrast mark on the spike.

· Size: 4x1x2,5 cms
ANTIQUES

Ref.: Z4997
14KTS GOLD BROOCH WITH FIVE GARNETS

14kt gold brooch with five garnets. 14-carat gold brooch formed by a tubular base arranged in the shape of a knot, leaving the curves on the outside and highlighted with a fine decoration of waves that provide a slight movement. A series of stems emerge from this base, topped with leaves, on which the carved garnets are placed. Weight: 7.51 grams.

· Size: 4 x 3 cms
ANTIQUES

Ref.: JBR1326
DEVOTIONAL PENDANT, SAINT JAMES THE GREAT. BRONZE. 17TH CENTURY.

Devotional medal, Santiago Apostle. Ormolu. XVII century. Openwork devotional medal with the image of Santiago Apóstol in the center, on a pedestal and holding a staff and a book, surrounded by a crown of leaves tied with two ties above and below. There are specimens similar to the present one in the Museum of Pilgrimages in Santiago de Compostela.

· Size: 5x0.5x6 cms.
ANTIQUES

Ref.: Z5091