English hallmarked sterling silver Stuart Devlin gilded trinket…
click the photo to enlarge
English hallmarked sterling silver Stuart Devlin gilded trinket box of organick design & set with agate slice. London, 1971, maker Stuart Devlin. Condition good, minor tarnishing. Length 10 cm

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Agate - Agate is a type of semi-precious gemstone that is made up of silica dioxide, a mineral that is also found in quartz. It is known for its distinctive banded patterns, which are created as layers of silica are deposited in different colours including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. It is often used in jewellery, decorative objects, and other decorative items, and it is prized for its beauty and durability. Agate is found in many parts of the world, including Brazil, India, and the United States.
  • Sterling Silver - Sterling silver is a mixture of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, and is relatively soft and the addition of the very small amount of copper gives the metal enough strength and hardness to be worked into jewellery, decorative and household objects.
  • Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.

    For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.

    Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A Victorian gold frame brooch; scroll border; rolled-gold bezel, metal pin. Weight (all in) 13.7g

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A Chinese silver gilt turquoise brooch and earrings set, the brooch with free form turquoise to the centre of an ornate silver gilt and enamel frame, a pair of conforming earrings with posts for pierced ears.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A 9ct gold fancy link Albert chain with 'T'-bar and swivel. Weight 24.8g

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Georgian miniature portrait brooch gold backed set with a paste stone surround. Unmarked 35 mm x 20 mm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.