Paper Dragon. Chinese New Year and it just so happens that 2012 is The Year Of The Dragon.

Cartier - Dragon

Currently I am reading the Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky translation of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. In the introduction they write that theirs’ is the most accurate translation to date. Tolstoy would often use the same word over and over in one paragraph. Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky retained all the repetitions, unlike most of their predecessors. Many years ago I read the Constance Garnett translation. She pretty much set the standard for translating Russian authors into…

An enchantingly beautiful and resplendent original Art Nouveau dragonfly brooch, circa 1900. Her wings shimmer and glow in translucent, subtly shaded plique-a-jour enamel which transitions from yellowish-green to aqua-blue, and sparkles with old-mine and

An art nouveau enameled silver salamander brooch, by Meyle & Mayer. circa 1900.

Two dragons presenting a heart-shaped amber, buried 1647-1658. From the tomb of Lady Chen, wife of Tong Bonian, in Dengfushan outside of the Zhonghua gate, Nanjing. Amber and ruby; gold with repoussé and filigree designs. Nanjing Municipal Museum.

Demantoid Garnet Diamond Gold Lizard Brooch, circa late 1880’s. A stunning demantoid garnet and diamond 18k yellow gold lizard brooch. There is approximately .63cts total in diamonds. Via 1stdibs.

I am a published writer in the field of jewelry history and decorative arts. I work as a writer, an illustrator, a jewelry hi...

Rose gold, ruby, diamond, opal brooch

Shop diamond and pearl necklace enhancers and other antique and vintage necklaces from the world's best jewelry dealers. Global shipping available.

Seed pearl, ruby and diamond brooch, second half of 19th century. Designed as a winged sea monster atop a trident with a cabochon ruby eye and further set with cushion-shaped, circular-cut and rose diamonds, holding a seed pearl, French assay mark.

plique a jour dragon

AN ANTIQUE DIAMOND AND ENAMEL DRAGON BANGLE. Designed with green guilloché enamel body and wings, rose-cut diamond head and claws, old-cut diamond detail to the wings and back scales, to an articulated enamel tail, the underside with engraving of scales, mounted in gold, circa 1870.

Enamel and diamond brooch, circa 1900 Designed as a gargoyle, the wings applied with plique-à-jour enamel and highlighted with circular- and single-cut diamonds, supporting a baroque shaped pearl, signed E.G., numbered, French assay mark.