A Contrast

Antique Coral, Pearl and Diamond Brooch in Platinum, c. 1910 & later


€ 1,190.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Antique Coral, Pearl and Diamond Brooch in Platinum, c. 1910 & later
Antique Coral, Pearl and Diamond Brooch in Platinum, c. 1910 & later
Description
Platinum work from the early 20th century is particularly light and detailed. This brooch is no exception. It is crafted from platinum and designed as a circle. A first, outer frame is filled with an ornamental band of the finest bars. The platinum shines in the light, yet the design has an almost ethereal effect. A row of grey-white pearls follows on the inside, interrupted at each of the four cardinal points by a sparkling diamond. The pearls are strung on a fine platinum wire, making them appear to float. The counterpoint to the lightness of the pearls and the platinum ornaments is the impressive, large coral in the centre of the design. It is cut into a round, flattened bouton. A gentle interplay of colours of intense red and more pink sections gives structure to the treasure of the sea. It is a Sciacca coral, the typical coral of the late 19th century. It is not as intensely red as the better-known Sardegna coral, but has a more salmon-red colour, as here. The coral is also an antique piece, but only found its way into the brooch at a later date. The result is an unusual but harmonious piece that pays homage to the treasures of the sea. We discovered the brooch in Hamburg. Its round design is typical of the fashion around 1910, when such round designs were particularly popular as brooches and pendants.
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Coral has been considered a good luck charm since ancient times. From the 17th century, for example, it is reported from Venice that the 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 people go, whether they are at home or traveling by ship - coral drives away the evil shadows of spirits, bad dreams, lightning, winds and thunderstorms and protects against every harm." In Naples people still use amulets made of coral to protect themselves against harm. Quote from Isabella Palumbo Fossati Casa: Intérieurs vénitiens à la Renaissance. Maisons, société et culture, Paris 2012, p. 276.
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Size & Details
Antique Coral, Pearl and Diamond Brooch in Platinum, c. 1910 & later
A Contrast
€ 1,190.00 *
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.

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