RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc Presents: Ask the Appraiser

We recently cleaned out my aunt’s apartment on the upper east side of Manhattan. She had lived there for over 60 years. She had many interesting items. Unfortunately, we did not have a lot of time to empty the apartment, as it was already rented out and everything had to be out by the first of the month. We were under a lot of pressure. So, we probably threw away some valuable things. I did, however, find the jewelry pictured, hidden away in a carved-out book. With the jewelry was an old photograph of my aunt wearing it. What a surprise it was to find this photo. On the back of the photo is written; “New Years Eve, Waldorf Astoria 1951.” Since it was hidden away, I figured it might have some value. So that’s when we decided to seek your help. If you require more photographs let me know. It looks to be old if that matters. What I would like to know is if this is something of value or something I should dispose of. I certainly wish you could have been with us as we cleaned out my aunt’s apartment. We were overwhelmed. Thank you for your response to my questions.

The luxurious Baroque style choker you have found in your aunt’s apartment is a beautiful example of the important and highly collectible costume jewelry produced by the renowned American designer Miriam Haskell. (1899-1981). Along with her equally talented partner Frank Hess, she designed super quality pieces of jewelry from 1920 right through the 1960s. Her jewelry is eagerly collected even by the younger generation. She came to New York in the early 1920s from Indiana and opened a jewelry boutique in the old McAlpin Hotel. In 1926 she opened a second location on 57th street. Frank Hess joined her business that same year. In the 1930s the company relocated to 392 Fifth Avenue. Their beautiful art glass and gold-plate parures were popular throughout the Great Depression, and the company went on to open boutiques at Saks Fifth Avenue and Burdine’s, as well as stores in Miami and London. Miriam Haskell jewelry was worn by movie stars Joan Crawford and Lucille Ball, as well as Gloria Vanderbilt. Her clients included Florenz Ziegfeld, who decorated his Follies with her jewelry and John Hertz Jr. of the car-rental company. She lived in a mansion called Sainte Claire Cottage in Ossining, New York, on the Hudson River. Now perhaps you realize that you have an important piece of jewelry, that although it is costume, has substantial value. Your gold tone floral filigree setting, accented by large crystal rhinestones and wonderful oval faux amethysts, appears to have remained in excellent condition, no missing stones noted. As such, the current value of this vintage choker is $1,500 USD. Not bad for a piece of costume jewelry but so delicately designed with such detail and elegance. I wish to add that this choker was originally sold with matching earrings. If the earrings were still present the value would increase to $2,000 USD. Hopefully you may still have the matching earrings.