How do I care for silver gilt enamel jewellery?

Clean these pieces gently using a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and oils. Avoid harsh chemical dips, ultrasonic cleaners and prolonged exposure to water, which can damage the delicate enamel and thin gold wash. Store each item separately in a lined box or soft pouch to prevent scratching from other pieces. Taking care when fastening brooches and pendants preserves the integrity of the vintage metalwork.

What periods are common in silver gilt enamel jewellery?

The selection includes nineteenth-century revival pieces alongside early twentieth-century Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs. Mid-century Scandinavian pieces from the nineteen-fifties and sixties are also frequently found. Victorian and Edwardian items often display intricate revival motifs, while later twentieth-century pieces favour cleaner modernist lines and guilloche patterns.

What is the difference between guilloche and plique-a-jour enamel?

Guilloche enamel involves laying translucent glass over an engine-turned metal background, allowing the engraved geometric pattern to reflect light through the colour. This technique creates a shimmering, textured depth. Plique-a-jour lacks a solid metal backing behind the enamel cells, producing a transparent effect similar to stained glass. This method requires exceptional skill to suspend the vitreous enamel entirely within open wireframes.

Were these items worn daily or saved for occasions?

Many smaller brooches and earrings served as everyday accessories to brighten lapels and collars during the mid-twentieth century. Elaborate necklaces and Renaissance revival pendants were typically reserved for formal wear. Novelty items like propelling pencil pendants combined practical utility with decorative function, serving as wearable accessories for daily use.

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Silver Gilt Enamel Jewellery

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Silver gilt enamel jewellery brings together bright vitreous enamels and gilded silver in brooches, pendants and earrings spanning the nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.