Cycles of Life: Rings from the Benjamin Zucker Family Collection

For those who follow our blog & our passion for antique jewelry, consider this. If you find yourself in New York City from Oct 30 - Dec 6th, make room in your schedule for a visit to Les Eluminures. Titled, 'Cycles of Life: Rings from the Benjamin Zucker Family Collection' - this exhibition collects over 40 exceptional museum-quality rings selected from the private collection of one of the world's leading gem dealers, experts, and connoisseurs. These will be on  public view together for the first time - the collection spans from 3rd century A.D. through to the later part of the 19th century (*see examples below). Not to be missed! See you there.

 

 

From the Catalog : Since his first purchase in 1970, Benjamin Zucker has assembled one of the largest collections of marriage rings in private hands and a collection of diamond jewellery that is unrivalled, even by De Beers. With each ring selected for its exceptional quality of stones, rarity, and level of artistry, the collection features many fine examples of signet rings ranging from the 3rd to the 17th century; ancient Roman friendship and engagement rings; medieval posy rings; Renaissance and Baroque wedding rings; Jewish marriage rings, and memorial and death’s head memento mori rings from the 17th to the 19th century. They include a significant grouping of precious diamond-set rings. Many boast provenances dating back generations to Europe’s most prominent collecting families, including the de Clercqs and the Rothschilds. Ultimately, these exquisite jewels – many of which have been the subject of national and international museum exhibitions, loans, and publications – form a remarkable testament to a discerning eye.

12 Days of Gifts, Day 9

Do you have a queen in your life? We've got just the thing! Cut Steel & Marcasite Jewelry. We've been slowly collecting some really nice examples of this. Cut-steel jewelry is jewelry 'set' with tiny faceted and polished steel studs, fashioned to resemble gemstones and usually riveted in place. The Swiss pioneered this process as early as the 1700's often using cut steel as a substitute for diamonds. Later Marcasite was introduced as it took a higher shine than the steel & didn't rust. These pieces are almost always made with Silver & the craft involved in making them was exceptional. We've got some gorgeous pieces from the Georgian era up to the Deco period. 

Georgian Jewelry (Circa 1714-1835)

Georgian Jewelry (Circa 1714-1835)

We covet any treasure from this elegant era of jewelry history! Tastes and style changed considerably over the span of this era. The start of the period was mainly gold and silver with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. Later though, the fall of the aristocracy and neo-classicism led jewelry designs into a different world altogether - one of less costly materials and semi-precious gem stones. During this time, a rising middle class began to afford the luxury of jewels and finery. Paste jewelry came into vogue as a substitute for diamonds by a growing middle class that couldn't quite afford them. Pastes (which are glass composites) are softer than ordinary glass but have a higher index of refraction and dispersion that give them great brilliancy and fire. Quality paste stones from this era were faceted & polished in the same way an actual diamond would've been cut - and often, no less beautiful.

 This stick pin is a simple example of paste jewelry from the end of the Georgian era.