While it is impossible to list more than a few objects representative of each class of work in the price schedules below, sufficient information is given for each object to enable the reader to gain some idea of what a similar object of equivalent size and quality would be worth. Read more »
NECKLACE LENGTHS
There is considerable variation in the length of necklaces, even among those which are supposed to be of the same standard length. However, the following lengths are generally accepted in the trade but may vary somewhat according to the individual supplier. Chokers are about 14 inches in length, regulars are about 17 inches, operas about 26 inches, and ropes about 55 inches. Read more »
Matched sets of drilled beads meant to be used in necklaces are com¬monly sold in strings. As such, they lack the strong cord, knotting be¬tween beads, and the clasps of ready-to-wear necklaces and are therefore allowed to enter the United States at lower rates of duty. Read more »
A significant cost factor is the drilling of holes which may be half-drilled for beads meant to be cemented to small metal pegs, or full-drilled for necklace beads. Costs of drilling are proportional to length of hole and the materials. Read more »
Complete overlays are also prepared in the Florentine shops and are judged on the same basis as true inlay work. However, they generally cost less because recessing is not called for. Much less expensive are those overlays which consist of geometrical shapes such as squares and rec¬tangles, fitted together without the time-consuming “cut and try” methods previously described. Read more »
In this class fall inlays, overlays, and appliques, each type of work being characterized by the use of separate thin pieces of gemstone cemented together to form representational, symbolic, or merely geometrical de signs. In most instances, a cheap but strong material is used for a backing or base upon which the colorful or patterned gemstone slabs are assembled and cemented. As the name implies, inlay work is done by scooping out depressions in the base material and insetting the pieces. Read more »
The most consistently available high-class gemstone carvings are Chi¬nese in origin, ranging from the ritualistic jades of several thousand years ago, to the symbolic and ornamental jades and decorative hardstone carvings produced in enormous quantity from the 17th century onwards. The objects produced in this latter period are commonly offered for sale in antique stores in major cities all over the world. Read more »
The carver’s techniques are also used to produce many decorative and utilitarian objects which are classed as carvings but are essentially non representational. Among them are bowls, vases and urns, ash trays, boxes, pen bases, and paperweights, sometimes modeled along pure geometrical lines, or sometimes decorated with representational sculpture. On the whole, such objects call for far less artistic genius in their design and execution than do the true sculptures just discussed. However, graceful shaping, clever utilization of colored and patterned areas, careful attention to finish, and other factors, determine value just as they do in rep resentational carvings. Read more »
1. Depth of Sculpture. The finest effects appear in those carvings which are deeply carved in-the-round, with lesser values being assigned to shallower work, unless the use of the latter emphasizes some particu¬larly handsome optical effect. Read more »
To summarize and to close the discussion on carvings, the following rules are formulated; they should be borne in mind when purchasing carvings. Read more »
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