John W. Charlton opened his business in New York under the name of J.W.Charlton in 1909, later changing to Charlton & Co when Robert S. Chapin became his partner. In the 1920s, branches were open in Palm Beach and in Paris. In 1934, another partner Grant A. Peacock acquired ownership of the company, changing the name to his own. Charlton was known for creating some of the most important jewels of the Art Deco period, with an impressive client list equalling those of the biggest jewellery firms.
ASPREY & CO. LTD. (founded 1781) London, UK
Important Natural Ruby Gem Set 18K Gold Cardinal Bird Sculpture 1980
Finely chased and chiseled 18K yellow and white gold realistically rendered sculpture of a Cardinal bird set with
85+ carats (approx.) of natural gem quality oval and round cut Burmese rubies (GIA certificate) further heightened with enamel eyes and blackened gold face plumage details, the 18K gold and natural ruby cardinal sets atop a natural Amethyst crystal “mountain rock” with a tooled and gilt (script mark) on the leather under-pad.
Marks: A & Co. (in a quatrefoil), Crown mark, 750 (gold standard mark) Lion’s head (London assay mark) “F” date mark for 1980, tooled and gilt Asprey (script mark) on the leather under-pad
Provenance: Privately commissioned by the Sultan of Brunei’s younger brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah who also later became the owner of Asprey & Co in the 1995. This rare sculptural 18K gold and natural ruby Cardinal was handmade by the finest jewelers and work masters in the workshop of the London Asprey & Co. located above the flagship store at 167 New Bond Street.
H: 3 ¾” x L: 5 3/4” x W: 1 ½”(Cardinal only)
H: 6” x W: 6 ¾” x D: 5 ¾” (with Cardinal atop natural Amethyst crystal rock)
As one might guess, a large part of the animal symbolism of the cardinal comes from the brilliant red color of the males. In fact, its name is derived from the royal red vestments worn by Catholic cardinals. This shock of red, especially against the stark backdrop of winter snow, is a magnificent sight. The male cardinal reminds us passion, warmth and vibrancy is available to us – even under the cloak of Winter’s grey clouds. Interestingly, the more bold and bright his color is, the more successful the cardinal will be at prolonging his lineage. Dull colored male cardinals are less likely to mate successfully than bright colored ones. True to the fire of his color, the crimson cardinal has got some major spunk. He will aggressively defend his territory, and fight attackers with ferocity. Indeed, they have been known to fight ghost males (their reflections) in mirrors for hours on end. Both male and female give us glorious songs. Along with peeps and pips and warbles, the tuned ear can also hear “cheer, cheer, cheer!” Very appropriate to the animal symbolism of cardinals, because they are a delight to both eyes and ears. The cardinal makes a fantastic animal totem. It reminds us to hold ourselves with pride, not ego pride but rather the cardinal asks us to stand a little taller, be a bit more regal and step into our natural confidence as if we were born to lead with grace and nobility. Those who attract the cardinal as their totem are naturally energetic, love life, and happily help others where and when they can!
Marcus & Co Art Nouveau pendant necklace, Handwrought 18 K yellow gold set with a large cabochon natural emerald center stone (approx. 30+ carats TW, G.I.A. certificate, moderate clarity enhancement, 18.30 x 18.20 x 12.20mm) surrounded by green enamel details with gold looping bezel mounts and platinum topped diamond side details set with 43 diamonds (approx. 6 carats TW), cabochon emerald pendant drop (approx. 15 carats TW) with a green enamel and gold capped top, elaborate looping 18K yellow gold chain, signed, c. 1900
Necklace (integrating brooch and ring), Platinum, 18K Yellow Gold, Rhodolites and Diamonds
“Rhinoceros” Brooch, Platinum, Diamonds and Horn
GRANT MUDFORD (1944- ) Australia
Long Beach 1979
Gelatin silver print
Signed: Long Beach 1979, LB-24/2 (in pencil on back); Grant Mudford 1980 (script in ink)
Framed size: H: 28 ¼” x W: 32 7/16”
Price: $29,000
“Since he moved to Los Angeles from Australia in the late 1970s, Grant Mudford has composed photographs that crisply examine the streamlined geometries of West Coast architecture and landscape. Mudford has zeroed in on the abstract formal relationships lurking within the designs of gas stations, strip malls and apartment buildings. The geometrical arrangements highlighted in his photographs of the masterful modernist structures of Rudolf Schindler and Craig Ellwood have disclosed a link between their midcentury architecture and the contemporaneous hard-edge abstractions of L.A. painters John McLaughlin and Lorser Feitelson.” – Art in America, “Grand Mudford at Rosamund Felsen, September 2003
AMERICAN ART DECO
Sterling Coffee and tea set on silverplate tray c. 1935
Sterling Coffee and Tea Set: Sterling with exotic wood finials and finials
Marks: 925, Sterling
Tray: Silverplated brass
Marks: Silverplated On Brass, PM Italy, Argente
Coffee pot: H: 7 ½” x Tea pot: H: 6 ¼” x Creamer: H: 3 ¾” x Sugar: 3 3/8”
Tray: 13 9/16″ square
EDWARD HALD (1883-1980) Sweden
ORREFORS GLASWERKS Sweden
Covered crystal jar c. 1930
Blown clear crystal with applied black glass foot: blown clear crystal lid with applied black glass finial.
For more information and related illustrations see: Orrefors Glass (New York: Alastair Duncan, Publishers, Inc., 1970); Scandinavian Modern 1880-1980 , David Revere McFadden
H: 6 3/8″ x Dia: 6 1/2″
Silver lidded bowl with ebony finial and rectangular ebony handles, decorated with enamel in fan shapped tiers of three shades of blue and black
Marks: French Touchmarks (Head of Minerva) 2x, Lapparra diamond shape silver touch mark, Red Lacquer Cranbrook Museum Accession No. 1930.77
Exhibited: Third International Exposition of Contemporary Industrial Arts, 1930-1931 The American Federation of Arts 1930-1931, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, October 15 – November 10, 1930, The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, December 1 – December 28, 1930, The Art Institute of Chicago, January 19 – February 15, 1931, The Cleveland Museum of Art Cleveland, March 11 – April 5, 1931; Art Deco, 1971 (Minneapolis: Minneapolis Institute of Arts)
Model illustrated: Art Deco, A Guide for Collectors, Katherine Morrison McClinton (New York: Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., 1972) p. 162; Art Deco, Judith Applegate (New York: Finch College Museum of Art, 1970) illustr. 392; The Cranbrook Collections, Sotheby, Parke-Bernet, New York, 1972, illustr. 31, pp. 7 & 9, Third International Exposition of Contemporary Industrial Arts, 1930 (New York: Finch College Museum of Art) No. 392; Art Deco, 1971 (Minneapolis: Minneapolis Institute of Arts) No. 164; International Exhibition of Metalwork and Cotton Textiles exhibition catalogue (The American Federation of Arts, 1930) No. 169
H: 4” x W: 4 ½” x D: 4”