Vintage Jewelry

Many collectors of Civil War Period items concentrate on those artifacts that remind us of the war and soldiers and the battles they fought. Civilian items: jewelry, household tools and such, are beginning to grow in popularity. Whether you just appreciate a pretty bauble or adornment, or feel the attachment to someone's prized brooch or locket, this page offers selections of the feminine nature. Kitchen items, writing implements, sewing tools can be found on this page. Most are in worn, in obviously used condition, not as shiny as they were when first worn or used in the 19th century. To me, this makes them more desirable, more dear, to see how they survived the century. Some show the age and patina that adds appreciation for surviving at all.

My appreciation of Victorian, 19th century jewelry, by no means makes me an expert. Through research I've learned what kind of designs and styles were worn at the time, but I am still learning!

1860's Jewelry Civilian Displays

Civilian Items

1860's Jewelry	Item #	Price
Mourning Brooch: Made of bog wood, an unusual material made of ancient oaks found in the bogs of Ireland. Carved floral motif, very detailed, 2" x 1/2" in size. Likely late1870's judging by the pin. Appraised at over $300 by a noted 1860's jewelry authority, but since we got a good deal on it, so do you! Includes a fairly modern note stating "Gave to me by Mrs. Munday, belong to her great great grandmother"	JVJ99JEJJ	$140
1860 Gold Fill Earrings: Don't let the name fool you; Civil War era "gold fill" is much higher quality than modern "gold filled" junk. Original and perfect, ready to be worn or displayed. Bottom "fiddle" part is 1 1/4" long, and attached to the original gold wires. Comes with a card from an expert CW jewelry person stating the era.	GVJ86ABEJ	$210
Dime Monogram Pin: This is neat! Pin is made from an old dime, reeded edges are fully visible. Has been polished smooth, and hand-engraved with letters "SYP" on face and "Mark" on the back. Has T bar attachment hook, still perfect to wear.	GVJ83AJJJ	$50
10kt Elaborate Bar Pin: It's a shame this one is missing parts, but may be repairable. As you can see, the pin is missing from the back as well as a piece from one side of the front. The design is so elaborate you may want to try fixing this beauty!	GVJ60JGJJ	$12
12 Kt. Woven Hair Watch Fob and Key: This piece is in excellent condition, as solid and complete as you'll find. It even has the watch key. Fittings are 12Kt gold. Light brown hair, 18" overall.	GVJ52EJJJ	$160
Oval with Pearl: This is a great pin - the cross floral design resembles dogwood and has a tiny pearl in the center. T-bar and C clasp. Tests 10kt gold	GVJ5-EDD	$32
Civilian Items	Item #	Price
1800's Clay Marble Display: two decorated clay 1800's era marbles in 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" velvet lined Riker Case.	CC67JGJJ	$15
1800's Clay Marble Display: two decorated clay 1800's era marbles in 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" velvet lined Riker Case.	CC66JGJJ	$15
Clay Pipe: 1700's Colonial style, Smooth bowl, with 2 3/4" stem ...plenty to smoke. with. TINY chip in bowl, doesn't affect piece.	MD540JXJJ	$7
Clay Pipe: Smooth bowl, with barely enough stem to smoke.	MD439JCJJ	$8
Clay Pipe: Smooth bowl, and lots of stem remains to smoke it if you wish!	MD436JCJJ	$14
Clay Pipe: Smooth bowl, with enough stem to smoke. Very small chip out of top side of bowl	MD441JCJJ	$10
1800's Clay Fraternal Lodge Pipe: Stem gone, for display only. Has "RAO" and Water Buffalo horns embossed.	MD413JDJJ	SOLD
Clay Pipe: Smooth bowl, with enough stem to smoke. Marked Black king Twist and Old Charlie Smoking. One side has black spots on it in two places.	MD440JCJJ	$12
Clay Pipe: 2" stem, Bowl chipped but smokeable. BYB stamp.	MD431JCJJ	$10
Late 1700's Early 1800's Style Clay Pipe: "33" embossed, very heavy and unusual. Only 1 1/2" stem remains. Complete clay pipe: Full 4" of stem, complete and unbroken.	MD428JCJJ	$10
Repaired Hand Iron. Aprox 5 1/2" tall, cast iron. Handle has been replaced, but still a neat display item or would make a great bookend! Found at Sister's Ferry, GA	CC61AJJJ	$25
Bone Toothbrush: Classic Mid 1800's, just like the soldiers used .Missing only the horsehair bristles and one row of holes, Nice solid slick bone, 6 1/4" long	MD266JDJJ	$20
Travel Kit: It's seen better days, and is in need of some restoration (has been temporally put together using non-damaging tape. Strap for lock is gone. Kit contains a small inkwell, a horse hair shoe brush and also a hair brush, and a mirror. Stamp inside says "E. Darrow Booksellers, Rochester, NY" This company was established in 1846.	MN270CJJJ	$70
Early Fork: Has lots of marks designating it's origins, which I have not deciphered. I'm guessing it's early 1800's, certainly before 1850.	MN304JAJJ	$25
Ivory Handled Forks: A classy example of Civil War era forks. The ivory is solid, but like most old ivory, all have a single crack, most on the side. Will not affect the usability or display, though.	MN221JFJJ	$15 each
Johnny Carson's Civil War Era Wallet ? Glass ambrotype (yes, it does resemble Johnny!) was stuck deep inside wallet when we got it. Was this the wallet's owner, or a friend? It's just a shame there is no ID to go with it. Rarely seen style with separate compartments. Very old stitched repair on front, done over a hundred years ago. Ambrotype included, of course!	MN205BGJJ	$75
Fancy Silver Spoon: This design is very pretty, sort of a mix of leaves and feathers. There are no markings on the small teaspoon, it may be coin silver. It is very lightweight.	CC24JBJJ	$10
Red Fan with Case: Very delicate, but in great condition, this fan is quite fancy with it's case and brass tip. May be polished cotton, but is some kind of fabric that has held up well. The case is 6 inches long and the fan when opened measures 9 inches from end to end. Could make a wonderful display or shadow box piece.	GVJ9AEJJ	$40
1800's Forks and Knives: Perfect for collectors and re-enactors both, these 1800's originals are a must for haversacks and eating kits. These are getting harder and harder to find, and all re-enactors have to eat!	MN4JDEJ	$9 each
Bone Buttons: 1800's era, identical to those dug in camps and period house sites. Perfect for re-enactors of all periods. Four hole styles only in stock.	BN8JJJE	$1 each
Brass 1800's Thimbles: These are identical to those dug in 1860's Camps of both armies. Perfect for any collection, and a must for re-enactors. Plus every lady's sewing basket had her favorite thimbles used for decorative needlework and sewing the family's clothing.	MN25JBJJ	$5
Victorian Clasp Purse: Material is reminiscent of carpet bags, worn but solid. Frame is a pewter like material, finely decorated, MWG engraved on back of frame. Some separation of cloth and frame, but not too bad.	MN23DAJJ	$88
Cast Iron Pot or Crucible: Never seen one like this, bottom has a cast iron skirt to hold it off table or fire or...I just don't know! Heavy, in good shape, 4#" tall x 3 1/2" opening in top.	MN267AAJJ	$25
Civil War Era Civilian Displays	Item #	Price
Silk and Ivory Fan display: With a period CDV of a woman, two porcelain buttons and a piece of silver that may have been part of a tray. The display is called "A Lady's Belongings." The fan is very fragile with the silk falling away, which is why I put it in a display. It would not hold up to handling and unfolding. The handle is ivory carved in a delicate pattern. A great display item for a bedroom or parlor.	CDC6	$75