A rare gold rush era treasure from Lang's collection is a 18k gold and enamel watch by Braverman & Levy. This fabulous antique hunting case pocket/pendant watch, with a rare matching chatelaine, is ornamented on both sides in striking multi-color matte-finished cloisonné enamel. Braverman & Levy were established in San Francisco 1852, and specialized in importing and manufacturing fine jewelry, watches, and silverware until 1881. Another renowned jewelry firm of the gold rush era established in 1852 was Barrett & Sherwood. Sherwood called himself “the inventor of the art of manufacturing quartz rock jewelry” and paid handsomely to acquire the distinctive gem. The arresting beauty of this geological wonder—strikingly beautiful veins of gold that naturally decorated quartz rock—and created stunning gold in quartz jewelry such as watch chains and brooches. One of the most distinctive jewels created representing the gold mining years was a ring designed by San Francisco mechanic, George Blake. The utterly unique creation was produced by Barrett & Sherwood and presented to President-elect Franklin Pierce. Massive in size—it weighed nearly one pound—the angled, stepped sides of the ring depicted a pictorial history of California, including: a miner at work, a menacing grizzly bear, a soaring eagle with salmon in mouth, and a Native American with his bow and arrow. The hinged top of the ring, instead of bearing a seal, displays a plate deeply engraved with the arms of the State of California, surmounted by the banner and stars of the United States, and is inscribed with “Frank Pierce.” And it doesn’t stop there. The hinged top opens to reveal a square box divided into nine compartments, each containing a pure specimen of the varieties of ore found in the country. Finally, the inside is inscribed with, “Presented to Franklin Pierce, the Fourteenth President of the United States.” #jewelryhistory #jewelryhistorian #sanfranciscohistory #cloisonne #huntingwatch #rarejewelry #goldrushjewelry #californiagoldrush #langantiques