The Principle of Framing

Antique Art Nouveau Silver Brooch With Citrine, Robert Merath, Ulm c. 1915


€ 289.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Antique Art Nouveau Silver Brooch With Citrine, Robert Merath, Ulm c. 1915
Antique Art Nouveau Silver Brooch With Citrine, Robert Merath, Ulm c. 1915
Description
This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!
So-called "stone jewellery" with semi-precious stones in silver was a big fashion in the 1910s. This artist's jewellery was not based on the preciousness of the jewels used, but focused solely on the beauty of the materials used. In this way, it met the Art Nouveau demand for democratic art, as it was affordable for a wide range of buyers. In the years from 1910, this stone jewellery was so popular that the German Goldschmiede-Zeitung devoted several issues to it. It states the following about the artistic principles of such jewellery: "the composition is based with preference and artistic justification on the principle of framing, of encompassing. In the case of brooches, this leads to central, even button-like forms {...}" (Deutsche Goldschmiede-Zeitung, No. 19, 1910, p. 165f.). The present brooch is framed by a hexagonal faceted citrine. A sculpted silver setting with a vegetal ornament holds the central stone and frames it with sculpted acanthus leaves and ripe fruit. The natural oxidation of the silver is included in the design as it adds depth to the sculptural frame. On the back of the brooch, a small soldered silver plate reveals that the brooch is the work of goldsmith Robert Merath, whose workshop was founded in 1875. For the dating, see the attached advertisement from a 1917 issue of the German goldsmiths' newspaper Deutsche Goldschmiede-Zeitung (DGZ no. 27-29, 1917, p. 49). Cf. also Alltagstauglich - Schmuckllery from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, The Ratz-Coradazzi Collection, exhibition catalog of the Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt 2019.
Read more
Size & Details
Antique Art Nouveau Silver Brooch With Citrine, Robert Merath, Ulm c. 1915
The Principle of Framing
€ 289.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Our Promise
Our Promise
Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

Learn more