Pride and Splendour

Antique Traditional Costume Gold Cross, probably Lower Rhine or Westphalia, c. 1840

€ 690.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Antique Traditional Costume Gold Cross, probably Lower Rhine or Westphalia, c. 1840

Description

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

For centuries, jewellery made of high-carat gold filigree has been a specialty of wealthy population groups on the North Sea coast. The farm owners there cultivated a jewellery tradition that reflected their proud self-confidence. Originally a typical characteristic of Frisian jewellery, the technique also spread to the neighboring regions of the northwest German countries and was used there for their own creations. This cross pendant is one such piece of jewellery. The cross is made of high-carat sheet gold and wire and features an embossed shell ornament with a grooved surface in the center. Four hearts frame the intersection of the arms of the cross, at the ends of which are curved decorative elements. Twisted spirals of gold filigree complete the design. In addition to the loop at the top, eyelets at the ends of the cross arms indicate that the work was once part of a larger piece of jewelry. In the Catholic regions of north-western Germany, such as the Emsland, Westphalia and the Lower Rhine around Kevelar, such multi-part pendants were known regionally as "Gadderken" or "Schuwe" and were an integral part of traditional costume. They were worn at the centre of the chest. The design of our cross shows the formal language of the Biedermeier period, which shines in the brilliance of the high-carat gold. There is no doubt that the cross was the treasured possession of a wealthy family, passed down from generation to generation. Even today, you can still imagine the almost 200-year-old cross on a lady's neck: Be it for a wedding, a country costume or just because, it has lost none of its beauty. For the history of Northwest German cross jewelry, see the standard work by Gislind Ritz: Alter bäuerlicher Schmuck, Munich 1978, pp. 76-78 and p. 93

Size & Details

Pride and Splendour

€ 690.00 ^*

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.

Learn more

Pride and Splendour

Pendants

Privacy settings