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Antique Necklace with Sapphires, Spinels, Diamonds & Natural Pearls, 1880s

€ 14,980.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Antique Necklace with Sapphires, Spinels, Diamonds & Natural Pearls, 1880s

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Contrary to all preconceptions, the 19th century was not at all gray or dark, but sometimes extremely colorful. People papered the walls with patterned wallpaper and wore colorful cashmere scarves. In dress fashion equally, the introduction of chemical dyes led to the emergence of bright new colors: Electric Blue or Scarlet Red moved the world of fashion. The desire for colour also took hold in jewellery fashion. Among the colorful combinations, we find in the jewellery of the 1880s especially those of blue and red gemstones with diamonds. In 1888, an article in the women's journal Bazar recommended a ring set with a group of such gemstones for the hostess to receive visitors in the proper attire - and a "red gold necklace with small shell ornaments or even Etruscan spikes" for the neck (Der Bazar, 34. Jg. 1888, No. 25, p. 278.). It is to the fashion for Etruscan fringe necklaces that we owe the present piece of jewelry, a wonderfully colourful jewel of the 1880s. It sits close to the neck like a collar and adorns the décolleté with delicate suspended pendulums, alternating between arabesque volute compositions set with sapphires and plain pearls. The length of the necklace is alternately set with diamonds, blue sapphires and bright red natural spinels. In addition to its design, the manufacture of the necklace also hints at its period of origin. It consists entirely of fine gold wires, the so-called "knife wires", which, seen from the front, appear gossamer-fine and - almost invisible to the viewer - only gain their stability in depth. Thus, despite its richness of colors and shapes, the antique necklace does not appear overloaded, but cheerful and buoyant. We were able to discover it in Hamburg, and it was probably created in Germany.

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Natural spinels in rich red are rare gemstones that resemble quality rubies in appearance. In fact, for centuries spinels and rubies were confused with each other, because the distinction is possible only with chemical or physical instruments, but visually both stones are confusingly similar. The famous Black Prince's Ruby, for example, which adorns the British Imperial State Crown, is not a ruby at all, but a spinel. This does not detract from the value and significance of the jewel, which has been in the possession of the kings of England since 1367.

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Size & Details

Colourplay

€ 14,980.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

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.

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