Antique and collectible history / antique research and history

Phyllis Monkman Creme Tokalon Vintage Ad

A Brief History Of The Tokalon Brand With Patent Drawings

We are not sure which company made this compact case for the Tokalon brand but we do know that the Simon Zinn Company manufactured cases for the Anglo-French Tokalon brand. This company made vanities to hold Tokalon brand rouge or face powder. During the 1920s and 1930s there was a heavy reliance on American case manufacturers which supplied the British market with finished and part finished vanity boxes. 
Read more
Solid Gold Antique Lockets By Albert Ernest Jenkins

The Fabulous Antique Gold Keepsake Lockets Of Albert Ernest Jenkins

The goldsmith known as Albert Ernest Jenkins is one of our favourite locket makers. His superior quality lockets are among the finest we have seen and yet despite the presence of his finely wrought lockets, he remains a mystery.
Read more
Damascene Compact Mirrors And Vanity Sets And Shinto Symbolism

Damascene Compact Mirrors And Vanity Sets And Shinto Symbolism

This post is dedicated to wonderful vintage Japanese vanities which are ornamented with deeply symbolic Shinto imagery. 

Read more
Fully Hallmarked Antique Gold Locket

An Illustrated History Of Jeweller B. H. Joseph & Co. With Timeline

Barnet Henry Joseph was born in Penzance, England in 1837. His father was Henry Joseph & his mother was Amelia Emily Joseph. Barnet married Isabelle Blanckensee, who was the daughter of the well known jeweller Solomon Blanckensee and Julia Joseph. In 1865 this manufacturing and wholesale jewellers was founded by Barnet Henry Joseph and his brother Henry Joseph. The site they occupied was set in the heart of the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. The address of the manufacturing premises is listed as 18, 19 & 20 Frederick Street.

 

Read more
The Difference Between Vermeil & Gold Plating

The Difference Between Vermeil & Gold Plating

In the mid-18th century the process of fire-gilding was developed in France. Later on it was discovered that workers involved in this work became blind due to their exposure to mercury which was used in the process & it was banned. In modern times electrolysis is used to bond the gold. This method is safe. Vermeil jewellery has been popular since the 19th century & it has gained great popularity as it makes gold collectibles more affordable.
Read more