Acquired by J. Baptista in 2021, this beautiful brooch has always sparked curiosity within our team of experts. The goldwork, the choice of stones, and the use of the serpent image indicate a piece from the 40s/50s. Could it have been a gift for a loved one? If so, why the use of the serpent? …
Leitão & Irmão brooch Originating in Porto, at the end of the 18th century, Casa Leitão became a reference in Jewllery when it was named, in 1873, by D. Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, Goldsmiths of the Imperial House of Brazil and, in 1887, by D Luís I, King of Portugal, Jewelers of the Portuguese …
Revivalism or Neo-Baroque Portuguese jewellery is closely linked to the history of the territory and the country. The manufacture of gold in Portugal dates back to the third millennium BC, at a time when reserves of this ore were abundant in the Tagus river basin. Although there are references in Portugal to work in jewellery …
Portland Vase is a Roman amphora from the 1st century AD, currently on display at the British Museum in London. Its designation is associated with the Dukes of Portland, family in whose collection this piece remained between 1785 and 1945. In 1845 the piece was deliberately damaged by a visitor to the Museum, breaking into …
Animal Sculpture Animals have always been a relevant artistic object and Paleolithic man already created animal sculptures of extraordinary sensitivity. Representations of horses and lions are among the best works of Assyrian sculpture, Egyptian sculptors produced naturalistic depictions of cattle, donkeys, hippos, monkeys and a wide variety of birds and fish and ancient Chinese sculptors …
Signet Originally, signet rings contained the family crest and were often used to stamp or sign documents. The metal shapes left a permanent mark on any soft wax or even clay, thus “signing” a variety of legal documents. Some of the most important documents in history have been marked with a signet ring. At that …
Tabernacle representing the Basilica Medieval Catholic-Roman worship presupposed a style of worship sustained by sumptuous decoration and an abundance of grand ceremonies. In Catholic the tradition, devotion to God could be demonstrated by displaying wealth and splendor, with ceremonies designed to impress making use of silver and gold items. Medieval cults had highly ornamented silver …
Soon after having taken control of his master Adolphe Picard’s workshop, Louis-François Cartier founded Cartier in 1847. With the raise of the French Second Empire, the business prospered in a decade with the opening of Cartier’s first store in 1859. Louis-François’ son, Alfred, took care of the business and moved it to the prestigious Rue …
Tiffany & Co. is an American company specialized in the design and commerce of jewels. It was founded in New York on 18th September 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young, denominated Tiffany, Young and Ellis. The present name started to be used in 1853, when Charles Tiffany took control of the company. The …
Among Lisbon’ silversmiths which accompanied the transition of the century, the name of António Firmo da Costa stands out. Active between 1793 and 1824, his work reveals in quality and number the path of a master pioneer author of pieces of undeniable originality. Talented He started in the art of silversmithing when he was 12 …
ANTÓNIO FIRMO DA COSTA – A SUCCESSFUL SILVERSMITH Read More »
Portuguese jewelery is closely linked to the history of Portugal. It lived majestically in palaces, churches and castles. It participated in the celebrations of the glorification of war victories, in the processions of Faith, and above all in the manifestations of national awareness. Cultural Heritage It filled the holy places with the most beautiful objects …
The actress’ father purchased the cushion-modified brilliant-cut fancy deep blue diamond, weighing 9.54 carats with VVS2 clarity, in 1940 to commemorate the 12-year-old’s latest film, “The Blue Bird.” She owned the ring until her death in 2014. Her family put the diamond up for sale, which was predicted to garner 25$ million, but it didn’t …
On October 10th 1613, queen Marie de Medici granted exceptional privileges to members of the Mellerio family, who had arrived from Italy a century earlier. Thanks to this decree, renewed by all the kings of France until Louis XVI, these peddlers of small precious objects soon became the jewellers of an illustrious clientele. 14 generations …
The significance attributed to the various objects the elites used to surround themselves with has recently enjoyed a growing interest from some sectors of the scientific community. Silverware, jewelry and fabrics are joined by portraits of themselves or their ancestors revealing the significance of various objects. Jewelry was of extremely importance In fact, the making …
The Kutchinsky family started their business in 1893 when Hirsch Kutchinsky arrived in England having fled Poland along with his son Morris and other members of the family. They already had many years of experience in the trade, having been the court jewellers of Ludwig of Bavaria, and wasted no time in opening up a …
Fabulous Collection Resplendent, fascinating, spectacular and vibrant, this is how you can define the jewels of the Russian court, a fabulous collection of jewels that shine brightly at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Exuberant Tsars Through costumes, portraits and objects, one can get to know the country’s exuberant tsars, like Catarina the Great. At …
From delicate drops to circular clusters, Art Deco earrings reflect the streamlined yet elegant sensibilities of the movement: bold colors, geometric patterns, and extended ornamentation. One gemstone frequently used in jewelry during that era, which lasted from mid-1920s to late 1930s, was the diamond. Art Deco Earrings Glistening with inset diamonds that enveloped precious pearls, …
What a blessing a mother can be, a gift of love for eternity. Nurturing you fro the very start, with the beating of her heart. A wise teacher to lead the way, with gentle hands and word so kind, most importanly, she always knows what’s on your mind. A trusting friend whose always there, A …
One of the most important jewellery designer Andrew Grima (1921-2007), was born in Rome, the son of a Maltese father and an Italian mother, descendant of the Farnese, a celebrated Italian Renaissance family. One of the most important jewellery designer He was the most important modern jewellery designer in London in the 1960s and 1970s. …
Koh-Í-Noor is one of the most famous diamonds in the world, alongside twelve others, among them are the Star of Africa, the Eye of the Idol and the Blue Hope. Currently the Koh-Í-Noor belongs to the British Crown and since 1937 decorates a crown specially made for the Queen Mother, for the day of her …
The Hollywood’s golden years The actress (1932-2011) had one of the most important jewelry collections from the 50s and 60s. The 1950s and 1960s were Hollywood’s golden years, when studios evolved the most. As a young MGM star, everyone fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor’s dark hair, blue eyes and thick eyebrows, the result …
Man is a collector by nature: the act of collecting has been with us since prehistory, at that time man accumulated objects. Prehistoric man, motivated by reasons that go beyond simple survival, accumulated repeated artifacts. Archaeologists prefer to relate the habit of storing objects to the survival instinct and not to address the field of …
The “Queen of Jewels” Also called the “Queen of Gems”, the pearl is one of the oldest and most appreciated gems in the world. Pearls are from the materials that were earlier used for personal adornment. The earliest writings that mention pearls date from around 2000 BC. Pearls have been much appreciated since antiquity. The …
Pearls symbolize the purity and the beauty of love Read More »
Sapphires are a variation of a corundum, occurring in various colours. As a matter of fact, the designation of “sapphire” is given to all the corundum with gem quality, with the exception of the red – which are called rubies. Color In nature, a sapphire exists in colourless, blue (colour appearance given by the presence …
Craftsmanship of silver Craftsmanship of silver is a decorative art in which the mastery and creative genius of craftsmen has been reaching new levels of excellence in every work they make thought the centuries. Silver works, with their subtle shine, not only contribute to create an exquisite decoration, but also to create a compelling drive …
History Mauboussin, one of the great Jewellery houses of Paris, has its origins in the House Noury, founded in 1827. In 1877, Georges Mauboussin (1862-1940) became an apprentice in the jewellery company of his uncle, Jean-Baptiste Noury, becoming in 1883 the creative director and, in 1903, its sole owner. In 1922, the House changes its …
Who is it? João Coelho de Sampaio, an outstanding figure who created pieces of exceptional quality in the 18th century. It’s impossible to mention the incredible richness of Portuguese silver craft without mentioning this master. João Coelho de Sampaio was born in Ruilhe, Braga, in 1719, and completed his silversmith examination in 1742. In 1768, …
Few precious stones hold such universal fascination as diamonds. Their unique shine has captivated human beings for thousands of years – more precisely, since 400BC, when its extraction began in India. Symbolism Symbolizing power, the eternity quality of love, truth, transparency, purity and immortality, this pure carbon crystal follows the history of humankind. In Ancient …
History David Webb (1925-1975) was an important North-American jeweller. Born in North Carolina, this self-taught master first got into jewellery by working in his uncle’s jewellery craft shop. Webb moved to New York, where his unique creativity was soon noticed. He opened his own jewellery shop in 1945. The ‘golden years’ of his production are …
Few pearls gave origin to such enthusiasm and even obsession like the internationally known “La Peregrina”.It is believed that this pear-shaped pearl is one of the most symmetrical natural pearls ever to be found. It is rich in history, glamour and folklore. History From a path to freedom to an extraordinary Valentine’s day gift, this …
Besides not being completely immune to the volatility that is patent in the market. The antiques sector presents itself still as one of the safest and more profitable, being pursued either by organizations or private individuals. Private Investor In the case of private investors, the search for profitable investments is associated with taste and the …
History Filigree, derived from the latin word filum (meaning “thread”), is a form of art with a long history, which is known since 2.500 BC. Twisted and molded in order to resemble a thread, filigree exquisitely intertwines threads in silver, gold or other metals. The technique was originally used to decorate personal ornaments, including manuscript …
Portuguese jewelry, in contrast with a recent reality that led to the decrease of investment. Is now going through a phase of renewal and growth. The analysis made by AORP (the Portuguese Association of Goldsmith and Watchmaking), based on the data collected within the sector. Points towards a moment of renewal and international projection, and …
© 2020 J. M. Baptista - Jóias, Pratas e Antiguidades Lda. All rights reserved
