Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris, “Etruscan Revival” theme bird brooch in 18k gold set with 7 rubies (approx. 0.80 carats TW) and 15 emeralds (approx. 0.40 carats TW), signed: VCA, France, C in a circle (copyright mark), no. 1K84.1, French Eagle’s head mark for 18k gold, c. 1940’s
French Retro “Bird” brooch set with a large oval gem quality “Rubellite”/ Tourmaline (approx. 9 carats TW, G.I.A. certificate, 15.20 x 11.55x 7.90mm, no heat), sapphires, diamonds and an emerald eye all set in 18K yellow gold, marked, c. 1940’s
Bulgari, Rome, Revivalist “Lion Recumbent” wide bracelet, 18k gold with an elaborate woven edge detail and further decorated with 22 full figure resting lions, signed: BVLGARI, Made in Italy, 18k, original brown leather envelope, c.1940’s
*** The lion motif is modeled after the famous recumbent lions by Antonio Canova (Italy, 1757-1822), made for the monumental tomb of Clement XIII at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome
Walter P. McTeigue Penguin brooch, platinum set with pave diamonds (approx. 3 carats TW), 18k gold body further set with two cabochon emerald eyes, signed, c.1940’s
European Art Deco “Chevron” design ring, 18K gold set with 24 square cut invisibly set rubies (approx. 6 carats TW) in a pyramid form, marked, c. 1940’s
1940’s jeweled necklace, 18k gold textured ring links and elaborate bezel set 19 large cabochon fire opals (approx. 260 carats TW, ranging in sizes from 4 carats to 32 carats each) and further set with two oval cut citrines and three round cut citrines (approx. 145 carats TW, ranging in sizes from 22 carats to 36 carats each) c.1940
Art Deco “Fire Opal” necklace, frosted rock crystal round beads and four sided custom rock crystal bezels set in 18K yellow gold with 16 round–cut accent diamonds featuring five large natural fire opals (G.I.A certificate, dimension of each fire opal, 13.00 x 8.15 x 6.20mm for a TW of approx. 17.50 carats), c. 1940’s
Bulgari, Rome, “Swallowtail Butterfly” brooch, 18k gold with 134 diamonds (approx. 10+ carats TW), 37 buff-cut gold and madeira citrines and buff-cut black onyx set along the edge and as accent details, signed: BVLGARI, original signed brown leather suede and silk lined presentation box, c.1940’s
Seaman Schepps, New York “Maltese Cross” brooch, one large round cut central citrine (approx. 45 carats) set with 4 large square step-cut citrines (approx. 108 carats TW) and further set with four extra long baguette citrines (approx. 13 carats TW) in a radiating pattern set in 14k yellow gold (total citrine carat weight of 166 carats), signed: Seaman Schepps, 14k, c. 1940’s
An immigrant’s son, who grew up in the tenements of New York’s Lower East Side, Seaman Schepps rose to prominence in the 1930s with jewelry designs that challenged the status quo and defined a new style for the American woman. With his chunky brooches, “barbaric” bracelets and “bubble” earrings, Schepps pioneered a unique style of jewelry whose sense of splendor offered a new perspective to the world of fine jewelry.
Witty, over-the-top and flattering, Schepps’ jewelry embodied style and originality and was featured on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Look and other magazines. It appealed to a myriad of clients from Katherine Hepburn to Andy Warhol to the Duchess of Windsor and greatly influenced his contemporaries. Today, some 50 years after his death, he continues to inspire modern jewelers.
Through the 1930s, and into the 40s and 50s, new clients flocked to him at his store on Madison Avenue. Often clients wanted a one-of-a-kind bauble and commissioned Schepps to incorporate their old jewelry into a fresh new design. Frequently this led to landmark decisions that helped distinguish Schepps as an extraordinary talent. His client list included Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, the Duchess of Windsor, and members of the Du Pont, Mellon and Rockefeller families. By serving these most powerful and influential individuals, Schepps became known as “America’s Court Jeweler”.
American Art Deco, Neon, OK Chevrolet Used Truck Sign c.1940’s
AMERICAN NEON DESIGN
OK Chevrolet Used Truck Sign c.1940’s
Blue, yellow and red baked enamel on metal with an orange neon tube spelling out “OK” encircled with a round blue neon border, original paper tag.
Marks: Registration Mark (in the enamel) Original paper tag, This is an OK Used Truck, Authorized Chevrolet Dealer, Chevrolet Motor Division, General Motors Corporation
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