Today’s Jewelry Collection Story comes from Cathy of @rosydelights – whose collection has enchanted me for so long! When I brought back this series, Cathy was the first on my list to ask, and I’m so thankful she wanted to share. Her jewelry collection is not only beautiful but it is RARE! These cherub pieces are so hard to come by and she has so many in incredible condition. She also styles her pieces really well when putting together necklace stacks, there’s more photos like this on her Instagram page. Let’s get into her feature:
“I love that antique jewelry always has a story to tell. I was a history major in college and was drawn to my current career because of my fascination with people’s stories and unique experiences. I see my role as a caretaker, with a responsibility to preserve my little snapshots of craftsmanship and history.”
“Motifs I love: anything romantic or whimsical – cherubs, angels, shells, flowers… Especially with fine enameling, they’re truly miniature works of art. I have a soft spot for winged cherubs in particular because they represent so many facets of the human experience at that point in history (and still, now). They could be on pieces of remembrance or mourning, or are symbolic of our hope in a protective and nurturing higher power. I also collect pieces depicting twins because I’m one myself.”
“I have two pieces from the 1800’s that I hold dear. One is a very rare and special enamel cherub mourning ring with a hidden lock of hair inside the band. I wonder frequently about who commissioned it and how they must have held it tenderly, thinking of their child, before carefully tucking it away. The other is a beautiful mourning locket with blond and brunette enamel cherubs, their corresponding locks of hair inside. I first spotted the locket in an online antique shop years ago and frequently visited the old listing to admire it. I was floored to see it suddenly pop up in a different antique marketplace one day. Some pieces just feel like they were meant to be with you.”
“I buy myself birthday presents every year, and, for my last milestone birthday, I chose an antique Vacheron Constantin pocket watch. It’s a stunning piece visually, but I was drawn to the brooding gentleman’s portrait living inside. I don’t know who he was (the owner’s relative or the owner himself?), but all sorts of romantic notions come to mind. Perhaps the pocket watch was owned by a woman, and the gentleman was a lover? Or perhaps it was passed down from a beloved father, and it’s in his remembrance that the portrait was imprinted…”
“I store my jewelry in a vintage Wolf Designs jewelry chest from eBay. I’d been slowly collecting variations of this particular Wolf Designs line that each held small portions of my jewelry, so I was really excited to find a box large enough to hold my entire collection. The smaller compartments inside are perfect to organize and display my pieces.”
