Mediterranean Rarissimum

Exceptional Necklace of Mediterranean Coral, c. 1890


€ 9,390.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Exceptional Necklace of Mediterranean Coral, c. 1890
Exceptional Necklace of Mediterranean Coral, c. 1890
Description
This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!
Red coral was already considered a lucky charm in classical antiquity and from the 17th century in Venice, for example, it is said that coral "Portati dovunque l'huomo sia, ò in casa, ò in nave, scaccia le cattive ombre de gli spiriti, sogni, fulmini, venti, e tempeste e gli diffende da ogni assalto di fiere." - "Wherever a person goes, whether at home or traveling by ship, coral drives away the evil shadows of spirits, bad dreams, lightning, winds and thunderstorms and protects against all adversity." In Naples, people still use coral amulets to protect themselves and their children against all kinds of evil. However, the fascination with coral from the Mediterranean cannot only be explained by its (supposed) protective function - the sight of it is also fascinating on an aesthetic level. As is the case with this precious necklace from the late 19th century The long row of 75 hand-cut pearls in an intense salmon red is arranged in a graduated pattern, i.e. the corals become thicker towards the center. The thickest coral pearl measures around 15.6 mm - and even the smallest pearl still measures 5.9 mm, which makes the necklace a rarity, as Mediterranean corals of this thickness have almost completely disappeared from the market today. The pearls of our very beautiful long necklace are hand-cut, not fully round and of an exquisitely beautiful color. The yellow gold box clasp has another large coral button. The special quality of the necklace has been confirmed by an independent gemmological laboratory. The corresponding certificate of appraisal, pictured here, is supplied with the necklace. The necklace is in very good condition and has been restrung on pearl silk in our workshop. Quote according to Isabella Palumbo Fossati Casa: Intérieurs vénitiens à la Renaissance. Maisons, société et culture, Paris 2012, p. 276.
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To this day, genuine Italian Mediterranean corals inspire with their wonderfully rich play of colors with a pronounced wealth of variation. From the creamy white of Adriatic coral to the delicate pink of angel's skin coral or Pelle d'Angelo, from beautiful light and dark salmon red shades to the strong dark red color known as oxblood or Moro coral, this wonderful natural material is characterized by the most beautiful colors of nature that the sea can produce. For centuries, coral jewelry, especially from the region around the Bay of Naples, has been an integral part of princely and later also bourgeois art chambers and enjoyed unprecedented popularity, particularly in the 19th century. The fact that some coral species are now strictly protected and the demand for natural corals has risen sharply in recent years make coral jewelry more sought-after than ever. Today, only antique pieces or corals from old stocks come onto the market - the quantity is therefore limited and finite.
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Size & Details
Exceptional Necklace of Mediterranean Coral, c. 1890
Mediterranean Rarissimum
€ 9,390.00 *
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.

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