Pin, fashioned as a floral spray, multi-colored sapphires and 18KT gold, American, circa 1980; Clifford Baron Gallery. September’s birthstone, the sapphire has long represented purity of the soul. In the Middle Ages, the clergy wore sapphires to symobolize heaven and to protect against temptations, and commoners believed it to attract heavenly blessings. Among its roots, […]
From bringing the wearer power to protection, a multitude of mystical properties have been ascribed to the peridot over the ages. One observable bit of magic is its tendency to appear an even more brilliant green under artificial light, hence its long-held title of “evening emerald.” As one of the oldest known gemstones, the peridot […]
18K gold ring with a large central ruby, surrounded by sapphires, diamonds, and emeralds, American, circa 1940-50. Hoffman-Gampetro gallery. Dorothy didn’t know it but when she first put on her ruby-encrusted slippers in The Wizard of Oz, the magic of the land passed to her. There have been many interpretations of the meaning behind Dorothy’s […]
Tiffany & Co bride basket and liner, sterling silver, American, circa 1920, Rosalie Clauson Gallery. Still the most popular month in which to get married, June weddings date back to the Roman Empire. Romans planned their weddings to coincide with the festival of Juno, wife of Jupiter and goddess of marriage, celebrated on June 1. […]
Just announced by Spring Show NYC, The Manhattan Art & Antique Center’s Leah Gordon is among the illustrious ranks of the dozen international fine and estate jewelry dealers chosen for showcase this year. The Show’s “Bling for Spring” press release features the moodily luminous piece above as one of the “rarest of the rare eye-grabbers […]
This Valentine’s Day, we take a closer look at the ardent history of the lover’s eye brooch, featured in our post on Romantic Antiques through the ages. In 1784, at the tender age of 22, the future King of England fell passionately in love with a commoner–a twice-widowed Catholic commoner, six years his senior. George, […]
A rose that blooms forever. Sterling silver, Cartier, France, 1990s. Leah Gordon Gallery. Of the many origin myths of Valentine’s Day, the most popular by far is that of Saint Valentinus, an early Christian saint put to death for performing marriages for young soldiers at a time when it was forbidden. According to one legend, […]
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, widely recognized as the most important trade show in the industry, returns to the Miami Beach Convention Center, Jan. 31-Feb. 04, 2013, for it’s 52nd year. The largest antique exhibition in the world, the Miami Beach Show is unparallelled for variety and quality, featuring elegant 17th-19th century furniture, high-quality […]