Burmese Buddha Shrine
1850-1870
A set of jewelry owned by Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples
Also, incidentally, the sister of one Napoleon Bonaparte
Gold, Lapis Lazuli, Inlaid Chalcedony (Pietre Dure), ca 1808
“Peace” Brooch
Italian, ca 1850
Mosaic and Gold
Watch featuring an image of Saint George.
This piece was referred to as a “Lesser George” by the Met Museum. That seems to imply that it was intended to be a part of the vestments worn by a member of the Order of the Garter. It is “lesser” as compared to the “Great George,” a large three dimensional figure of Saint George worn about the neck. Most “Lesser George” figures are on a badge or watch.
George Nicholas Vallin 1600
18th Century European Snuff Boxes.
Szczerbiec, the sword of Boleslaw the Brave of Poland.
He famously notched the blade against the Golden Gate of Kiev when he entered the city in 1018. The action was traditionally repeated by his descendants when they came to Kiev during subsequent reigns.
Tizona, the sword of the Legendary Badass El Cid, the man who rode into battle in the middle of the night while dead.
For reference- Tizona translates loosely to “Burning Stick,” but significantly better to “Firebrand.”
What a boss.
Joyeuse, the sword of Charlemagne. It was part of the regalia of the French royal family until the revolution, when it was stashed in the treasury of Saint-Denis.
It came to the Louvre in 1793, where it remains on permanent display to the public.
Gold, Steel, Glass beads, Silver, Gemstones, Velvet
Sevan Bicakci
Can we talk about Sven Bicakci?
His designs are so modern, but they have such a heavy, rough-hewn quality, too. I love that you can feel his heritage (Turkish) and city (Istanbul) in his lines and colors, and the crafting is perfectly imperfect, all while conveying this super traditional yet shockingly, audaciously bold presence.
I’m in love.
Orchid Comb by Rene Lalique
1902
Ivory, Gold and Plique-a-Jour enamel
Helmet of Skanderbeg of Albania. Any information about him is worth a read, as it turns out. He was an Albanian National Hero- preserving the Albanian National Identity and leading them in battle for a long healthy reign. He helped stem the tide of the Ottoman Empire (at least for a while), and did it all in a really gorgeous golden helm.
Bit of a badass, it would seem.
Mediterranean Crowns
I met this artist several years back at an art fair in Madison, WI. I was there with my boyfriend, and we bought the pendant on the top. A year later, we saw him at a different art fair and I bought the earrings. We got to have a beer with him and he turned out to be a really great guy- he studied the same Martial Art style that Seth does- Shorin Ryu.
Seth wears his necklace every day. He’s not a jewelry guy, wasn’t then and still isn’t- but he put it on the day he got it and just never took it off.
I just love it- both of them, though the earrings only see daylight on special occasions- they are just so sculptural and deep, so constructed- they feel like the design has been genuinely thought out.
That’s something you never get with standard easy-to-get mall jewelry. It doesn’t feel like it’s been handled, you know? Hand made will always top the charts, imho
