All pieces

An exceptional, boxed antique 15ct gold snake bracelet. Snake motifs have been used in jewellery for millennia with a surge in popularity in the Victorian era. In 1839 Prince Albert proposed to Queen Victoria with a Ruby, Emerald and Diamond studded snake ring, this prompted an influx of jewellers reimagining the design in rings, necklaces, bracelets and brooches. Often these pieces were commissioned as gifts, meticulously crafted down to every last detail. This is a perfect example of high craftsmanship of the period, even down to the original fitted case. The bracelet itself is constructed from interlocking 'scales' as links in brightly bloomed 15ct gold, headed with turquoise blue enamel and studded with split pearls and cabochon garnet eyes. Suspended from the mouth of the snake is a heart bearing matching enamel with a vacant locket to the reverse. The entire bracelet is in fantastic condition with almost no signs of wear, the box is also in very good condition with a functional hinge and some minor surface wear. True surviving antiques such as this one are becoming increasingly hard to find, especially in 'box fresh' condition. Typically unmarked - XRF tested to confirm 15ct throughout. 'Blooming' - A technique often used in Victorian jewellery whereby the piece was dipped into an acid solution to remove any non gold metals from the gold alloy at surface level, leaving a thin layer of pure buttery yellow gold - giving this 15ct gold bracelet the bright yellow look of 18ct+

This beautiful butterfly started life as a Victorian brooch and was converted at the start of the 20th century to a more versatile and wearable necklace. You could say it underwent a metamorphosis. Whether the pin mechanism was damaged or someone inherited the piece and decided to give it a new lease of life we don't know, but here's what we can tell you; Victorian circa 1880/1890 9ct Rose Gold and Silver with 9ct Rose gold cable chain Old and rose cut Diamond wings Sapphire and Garnet body Ruby cabochon eyes

An antique 18ct gold horseshoe ring, with seven diamonds in square settings running along the groove of the shoe, just where the nails would sit on a real horseshoe. The shoe is raised on a gallery above split shoulders with pointed, leaf-shaped panels, so it sits up proud on the finger. Horseshoes were one of the Victorians' favourite good luck symbols and turn up all over jewellery of the period, this piece likely dates to the first 1/4 of the 20th century but takes inspiration from Victorian pieces in its design and construction. Unmarked - XRF tested to confirm 18ct throughout Head wisth - 19.7mm

An exceptional antique 15ct gold snake necklace, presented in an associated antique velvet presentation box. Snake motifs experienced a massive revival in the Victorian era following Prince Albert's engagement gift to Queen Victoria, and pieces like this were often commissioned as special gifts. This piece features an intricately scaled gold articulated chain that leads to a highly detailed snake-head terminal. The head is set with a central oval-cut garnet, surrounded by split seed pearls and smaller cabochon garnets. Suspended from the mouth is a matching gold heart-shaped charm set with a central garnet with a vacant locket back. The necklace is constructed from 15ct yellow gold and secures with an original barrel clasp. Unmarked - XRF tested to confirm 15ct gold throughout. One link shows signs of crimping - this does not affect the integrity of the piece but is worth noting for transparency - please see the last photo in the gallery.