Decorative Fasteners Appraisal

Assorted Mother-of-Pearl Fasteners and Initials

This collection features four individual pieces crafted from polished mother-of-pearl, exhibiting a characteristic iridescent luster with subtle shifts between white, cream, and faint grey hues. The items appear to be carved and finely finished. Two of the pieces are oval and circular in shape, designed with intricate cut-out initials. The oval piece clearly spells out 'RAY' in a decorative, overlapping script, while the circular piece features what appears to be the initials 'ELI' or 'ELH' in a more block-lettered, stylized font, also cut out. These pieces likely served as decorative elements, possibly for clothing, accessories, or small personal items, reminiscent of antique buttons, buckles, or monograms. The other two pieces are abstractly shaped, resembling stylized birds or ribbons. One has a triangular-shaped 'head' with a circular cutout eye, and a flowing, slightly curved 'body' or 'tail'. The other piece is a more pronounced 'S' or wave-like form, with one end a sharp point and the other a broader curve, also featuring a sleek, elongated design. These abstract pieces could be dress clips, scarf slides, or decorative embellishments. All pieces display a smooth, polished surface characteristic of well-worked nacre, with visible natural striations and variations inherent to mother-of-pearl, adding to their organic beauty. The condition appears to be relatively good, with no overt signs of chips, cracks, or significant wear visible from the provided images. The craftsmanship suggests a delicate hand-carving or precision cutting technique. Given the style and material, these items likely date from the late 19th to early 20th century, a period when mother-of-pearl was a popular material for decorative and functional accessories.