Spotlight Archives - Page 34 of 48

Rough Guatemalan Jadeite Jade Slab

Photo Credit: Mayan-Carvings-Clothing-and-Jewelry

Rough Guatemalan Jadeite Jade Slab

Buy It Now Price: $115 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This is a beautiful slab of rough Guatemalan jadeite jade. Jadeite jade is a microcrystalline gemstone material that has been prized throughout history for its extreme toughness and subtly alluring appearance.

-This piece of rough Guatemalan jadeite jade measures 160 mm (6.30 inches) long by 80 mm (3.15 inches) wide by 17 mm (0.67 inches) thick. It weighs 696 grams (1.53 pounds) and originates from the Motagua river valley in Guatemala – one of the world’s few major deposits of this rare gemstone.

-There are actually two different varieties of true jade in existence: nephrite jade and jadeite jade. Jadeite jade has historically been the rarer of the two.

-While most jade antiques and artifacts from before the 18th century are nephrite, Central America is an exception to this rule. All pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs, exclusively used highly prized jadeite jade in their decorate arts. This is because the only source of jade in the region was jadeite jade from Guatemala.

-This piece of rough Guatemalan jadeite jade is a striking mix of dark green and light grayish-white material that is known locally as jaguar jade because it resembles the coat pattern of the indigenous big cat.

-The Chinese have traditionally had a strong cultural affinity for jade and have, consequently, driven both global demand and pricing for the precious material. However, the superlative physical properties of “The Stone of Heaven” are gradually becoming known in the West. In the future, I believe a significant portion of jade demand, perhaps even a majority, will originate outside of China.

-I believe that rough jade is significantly undervalued in today’s market. And, of all the different varieties of jade, rough Guatemalan jadeite jade is probably the least appreciated and most undervalued.

Cons:

-The very highest quality Burmese jadeite jade – called Imperial jade – is a translucent, vivid green color that almost looks like emerald. Unfortunately, no Guatemalan jadeite jade approaches this level of quality. Instead, most rough Guatemalan jadeite jade is opaque like this specimen, reducing its desirability and value.

-This rough Guatemalan jadeite jade slab is only 17 mm (0.67 inches) thick. This will limit its potential uses to jade carvers, albeit modestly. A thicker slab would be more desirable.

-Rough jade is a raw material. In order to maximize its value, it would have to be fashioned by a skilled jade carver.

Antique Japanese Fuchi and Kashira Set with Inlaid Mother of Pearl

Photo Credit: matsu-kaze-japan

Antique Japanese Fuchi and Kashira Set with Inlaid Mother of Pearl

Buy It Now Price: $255 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This is an antique Japanese fuchi and kashira set from the Edo era, the time of the samurai.

-These pieces are traditional Japanese samurai sword fittings. The fuchi was the “collar” of the sword, and was placed just underneath the tsuba, or sword guard, near the start of the blade. The Kashira was equivalent to the pommel of a western sword and capped the end of the sword handle.

-The fuchi measures 17.4 mm (0.69 inches) wide by 32 mm (1.26 inches) long while the kashira is 12 mm (0.47 inches) wide by 27.9 mm (1.10 inches) long.

-This Japanese fuchi and kashira set is from the 18th or 19th century and features the branches of a persimmon tree rendered in magnificent high relief.

-This Japanese fuchi and kashira set is made from bronze, shakudo and gold. Shakudo is a traditional Japanese metal alloy composed of copper mixed with 3% to 7% gold. It ages to a wonderfully mellow, velvety-black patina.

-These samurai sword fittings also have mother of pearl decoration that cleverly represent persimmon fruit.

-Samurai sword fittings like fuchi, kashira and tsuba were one of the few ways that a samurai could advertise his high social status during the tightly controlled Tokugawa shogunate. As a result, many Japanese samurai commissioned local artisans to craft exceptionally fine pieces for their personal use.

-The the beaded shakudo background contrasts subtly with the bronze, mother of pearl and gold persimmon branches that stand in relief. This produces an exquisite overall effect that is highly desirable.

-This Japanese fuchi and kashira set exemplifies some of the finest traits found in traditional Japanese antiques. I believe it is a bargain at only $255.

Cons:

-Mother of pearl is a very fragile substance and has a propensity to dry and crack with age. Although no cracking seems to be present on our specimen, the mother of pearl appears to have lost its iridescent qualities. This isn’t surprising considering this Japanese fuchi and kashira set may be as much as 300 years old.

-Although the size of this Japanese fuchi and kashira set is fairly standard for the period, it is definitely small on an absolute scale. The largest dimension is only 1.26 inches (32 mm). This means these samurai sword fittings will have less visual impact than larger specimens would.

-Despite being ruled by samurai, the Japanese Edo period was actually quite peaceful. Therefore it is highly probable that these sword fittings were meant for display purposes rather than actual samurai sword fights.

1913 U.S. Indian Head Half Eagle ($5) Gold Coin

Photo Credit: coingalleryofbocaraton2

1913 U.S. Indian Head Half Eagle ($5) Gold Coin

Buy It Now Price: $469.99 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This is a lovely example of a 1913 U.S. Indian Head Half Eagle gold coin that was struck in Philadelphia. A half eagle is another name for an old $5 U.S. gold coin.

-The coin measures 21.6 mm (0.85 inches) in diameter and weighs 8.359 grams (0.26875 troy ounces).

-Almost all pre-1933 U.S. gold coins – including this one – were struck in an alloy composed of 90% gold and 10% copper. Therefore, this 1913 U.S. Indian Head Half Eagle gold coin contains 7.523 grams (0.24187 troy ounces) of pure gold.

-The Indian Head design of the U.S. half eagle (as well as the quarter eagle) gold coins were created by famed early 20th century American sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt. They are the only coins the United States has ever struck that are incuse, with the design sunk below the surface of the coin.

-$5 was a considerable sum of money in 1913. To put this amount into context, a skilled laborer working in a major U.S. city might have earned 50 cents an hour in 1913. A loaf of bread cost a scant 6 cents and a dozen eggs a mere 30 cents.

-Large numbers of pre-1933 U.S. gold coins were melted down by the Federal Government after gold was nationalized in 1933 during the depths of the Great Depression. Consequently, the surviving population of old U.S. gold coins is dramatically smaller than their original mintages would initially suggest.

-Our 1913 U.S. Indian Head Half Eagle gold coin is in Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55 or possibly AU-58) condition. This means it only has a touch of wear on the very highest points of the design. This coin is one small step away from being a fully Uncirculated coin.

-Because of its high condition, this 1913 U.S. Indian Head Half Eagle gold coin still retains a fair amount of its original mint luster, which helps contribute to its superb eye appeal.

-With spot gold trading at $1,248.40 per troy ounces, this 1913 U.S. Indian Head Half Eagle gold piece has a bullion value of approximately $302. With an asking price of $470, this translates into a premium over melt value of 55.6%. A premium of this amount is actually fairly modest considering the beauty, condition and historical significance of the item.

Cons:

-This 1913 U.S. Indian Head Half Eagle gold coin is raw, meaning uncertified by a third-party grading agency. Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins that are certified by either NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) or PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) usually command small premiums over similar raw coins and are slightly more liquid in the secondary market.

-The mintage of 1913 U.S. Indian Head Half Eagle gold coins was sizable, at 916,000 pieces. As a result, they are considered common date coins. However, while a mintage of nearly one million pieces might seem large, it is actually quite small compared to modern coin issuance which often runs into the billions.

-Because it is a semi-numismatic U.S. gold coin, the value of this piece will fluctuate with both the price of gold bullion and the fortunes of the broader U.S. economy. Depending on your economic outlook, this could be either a strength or a weakness.

Bronze Art Deco Plaque by Pierre Alexandre Morlon

Photo Credit: jamoni10

Bronze Art Deco Plaque by Pierre Alexandre Morlon

Buy It Now Price: $99 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)

Pros:

-Here is an eye-catching bronze Art Deco plaque created by the very talented French sculptor and medalist Pierre Alexandre Morlon. Born in 1878, Morlon received classical art training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He was best known for his bold and innovative interpretation of Art Deco style.

-This bronze plaque measures 65 mm (2.56 inches) tall by 56 mm (2.20 inches) wide and weighs 144 grams (0.32 pounds).

-This bronze Art Deco plaque depicts a woman in profile holding a sheaf of wheat on the obverse and various farm animals surrounding an inscription on the reverse.

-The French inscription on the back of the medal reads “OFFERT PAR M. DE MONTALEMBERT SENATEUR DE LA SEINE MARITIME” which roughly translates as “offered by Monsieur De Montalembert, senator of the Seine Maritime”

-The Seine Maritime is a bucolic department on the northern coast of France, in the Normandy region. This department used to be known as the Seine-Inférieure until 1955, when it was renamed.

-Because the Seine Maritime changed its name, we can confidently date the inscription on the medal to sometime after 1955. However, it is possible the medal was struck years before.

-This Art Deco plaque is stamped with the word “BRONZE” and the cornucopia hallmark, indicating it was produced at the Paris mint. These hallmarks are completely consistent with an early to mid 20th century French medal.

-As a bonus, this bronze Art Deco plaque also comes with its original red box. This helps to boost its desirability and value.

-19th and 20th century European art medals are significantly undervalued in today’s market. They are wonderful objet d’art that will eventually appreciate in value robustly.

-This medal absolutely exudes wonderful Art Deco linearity and simplicity. It was rendered in a fine style by an accomplished artist, making the asking price of $99 quite reasonable. If you ever wanted to own an Art Deco bronze, here is your chance.

Cons:

-French Art Deco medals struck in solid silver are readily available in the marketplace for just a little more money. All else being equal, a medal struck from silver will be more desirable than one struck from bronze.

-The reverse features livestock, which may be a turn-off for some collectors, limiting the medal’s potential audience.

Older Posts

Newer Posts