GEORGIAN OR EARLY VICTORIAN STERLING SILVER PLAITED HAIR MEMORIAL LOCKET DOVE BROOCH

This is one of the most incredible brooches I've seen in a long time.  It is a 3-dimensional Georgian or early Victorian sterling silver dove with an amazing plaited hair memorial under glass.  The pin back is comprised of a tube hinged back fastener and "C" clasp.  This dove is religious in nature as it holds an olive branch in its beak.  Measures 1.75" beak to tail.  An absolutely stunning piece.  Soon to be listed to Metal Corset II, so keep a weather eye.

VICTORIAN GUTTA PERCHA KORTEN POCKET KNIFE

 
I'm not particularly fond of pocket knives, but I did find this one especially cool.  It is a Victorian gutta percha German Korten pocket knife in the shape of a leg/boot. 

I found another in brown gutta percha at Worthpoint.com, so I'm thrilled to say these amazing figural pocket knives are so highly collectible-they made it in Worthpoint's website.

Soon to be part of an assemblage necklace, so keep a weather eye on Metal Corset.

"HAND SERIES" PREVIEW

As you all probably already know, I adore antique jewelry.  But I especially adore the stunning antique jewelry that involve hands.  I've thought long and hard for a reason behind it and believe I'm drawn to them because hands have the important ability to create, show compassion, embrace, welcome, communicate and express our feelings and emotions, good or bad.

The Victorian era produced many figural hand jewelry items as a token of friendship.  These items were given to one another, female and male alike, to honor a relationship.  I've taken several of my coveted antique hands to create one of a kind assemblage jewelry pieces.

This posting is a small preview of the assemblages I've created thus far.

I hope you like them as much as I do.

ANTIQUE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY RELIQUARY EX VOTO

This is a very rare French Immaculate Heart Of Mary reliquary ex voto.  Inside, a relic to Saint Amantius Episcopal. 

You can find Sacred Heart reliquaries pretty easily, but to find a magnificent Immaculate Heart Of Mary reliquary with a crown of roses and a sword piercing the heart is few and far between. 

This reliquary will soon be part of an assemblage necklace, so keep a weather eye on the Metal Corset horizon....

ANTIQUE FRENCH CUT STEEL BEAD PURSES

So, I've noticed the latest fad in jewelry making is using French cut steel beads so I rescued these damaged purses to salvage the beads and use them in my assemblage creations.  Even with all the damage, they're still stunning pieces of art.

GEORGIAN ROCK STUART CRYSTAL AND GOLD CYPHER BUTTON

 
I've always desired an 18th Century Stuart crystal slide or ring but could never afford one as most are upwards of $3000 plus.  So, I'm thrilled to have found this Georgian rock Stuart crystal button.  It has the most amazing rich raspberry foiled background which compliments the gold setting in silver.   

Under the crystal is a gold cypher wire which is usually monogrammed, but this cypher is purely decorative/ornamental with scrolls and loops which is just breathtaking!

Soon to be part of an assemblage bracelet, so keep a weather eye on Metal Corset for its debut!

ANTIQUE FRENCH FLAMING SACRED HEART RELIQUARY EX VOTOS

Newly listed to Metal Corset II are these two beautiful engraved antique French Flaming Sacred Heart reliquary ex votos.

One has an original message inside dated 1883.

Check 'em out!