Victorian Splendour

Magnificent Amethyst Parure Comprising a Necklace, Earrings & Brooch, c. 1870

€ 15,890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

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Magnificent Amethyst Parure Comprising a Necklace, Earrings & Brooch, c. 1870

Description

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

"Jewellery is just as subject to strict rules as clothing, for not every type of jewellery can be worn at every age. A young girl, whose most beautiful adornment is already her youth, will wear different jewellery than a married woman, and she too will have to be guided by her choice of dress or whether she will be in society or at a ball. As much as possible, it is advisable to buy a complete set of jewellery, and if this cannot be done at once, to add to it gradually." – Such was the recommendation of a style guide in 1878. One such set of matching jewellery, a so-called parure, is the one presented here. With a set like this, its first owner was equipped for various occasions when she appeared in society – and represented not only her exquisite taste, but also her family. She could wear the necklace with a low-cut ball gown and the brooch with a high-necked formal dress. Depending on the occasion, she may even have added hair combs or bangles to the jewellery. The magnificent set shines in rich gold, the intense color of which is the result of additional fine gilding and is based on the jewellery of ancient Romans and Etruscans known from excavations. The shape of the necklace with its garlands and suspensions is also based on pieces of jewellery from antiquity, which were already being interpreted very loosely and in a contemporary way around 1870. Faceted amethysts of wonderful quality shine in violet splendour from restrained prongs and engraved gold mounts. Like citrines and gold topazes, they were among the most popular gemstones of the 1860s and 1870s. In between, white natural pearls create shimmering contrasts. The well-preserved antique set bears Parisian import marks and we were also able to discover it in Paris. However, it was probably made in England. Similar necklaces of this type can be found, for example, in the 'Brogden Album', a British design book for jewellery from the 19th century, see here. We had the antique case lined with velvet especially for the set. The quote above is from Franz Ebhardt, Der gute Ton in allen Lebenslagen. Ein Handbuch für den Verkehr in der Familie, in der Gesellschaft und im öffentlichen Leben, 3rd augmented edition (Berlin: Ebhardt, 1878), pp. 529-530.

Size & Details

Victorian Splendour

€ 15,890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

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