Berlin Glamour

Antique Gold and Diamond Lavallière by Wilhelm Müller, ca. 1905

€ 890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Antique Gold and Diamond Lavallière by Wilhelm Müller, ca. 1905

Description

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

More than 100 years ago, in a short time a new design of necklace conquered Europe. Especially younger ladies, who were not afraid of the changes of fashion, liked to decorate themselves with them: It is the so-called lavallière, also called negligee necklace. Here, two pendulums of different lengths are attached to a decorative element and form the showpiece of the necklace. Everything about the design is delicate, fine and elegant. Set with large diamonds, lavallières became evening jewellery; with smaller stones, set in warm-toned gold, they were also worn during the day. Since the daytime fashion of the time consisted of long, narrow-waisted skirts and high-necked white blouses, people also liked to wear them on their blouses (see last illustration). The designs of these necklaces vary this basic idea in the most diverse forms. Here now, a softly flowing, swinging pendant is attached to a delicate chain, its graphic design betraying the influence of Central European Art Nouveau. We see white sparkling diamonds and warm yellow gold. Here, one diamond is set in the upper element. The other two diamonds occupy the ends of the pendulum. Four small imitation glass pearls add an additional shimmer. The necklace bears the hallmark of the Berlin jeweler Wilhelm Müller (see "Learn more"). It thus shows that the fashion of the lavallière also found its followers in Berlin, the capital of the German Empire, although the taste of Berliners of those years was often considered conservative and a bit provincial. It was created in the years shortly after 1900.

Learn more

Berlin experienced a rapid boom in the 19th century. Due to immigration, the population increased tenfold during this period and amounted to almost 1.9 million around 1900. Entrepreneurs from all regions of Germany were drawn to the city and made Berlin the most important business location of the Empire. Economic prosperity allowed cultural life to flourish and social life soon eclipsed all other cities in the country. For the ladies, a suitable jewelry outfit was indispensable. Berlin was the ideal location for a jewelry merchant. One such merchant was Wilhelm Müller. In 1847, he founded a specialized wholesale business for precious stones, pearls, jewels, gold and silver jewelry. Most of the creations were made in the branches in the gold city of Pforzheim and in the silver city of Schwäbisch-Gmünd. The parent company of the family business was located in Gertraudenstraße in Berlin Mitte. Miraculously, it survived the destruction of World War 2 and still stands today as a reminder of the imperial era at Berlin's Spittelmarkt. At the turn of the 20th century, the Müller company was the leading jewelry retailer and was known beyond the borders of the capital for its high-quality goods.

Learn more

Size & Details

Berlin Glamour

€ 890.00 ^*

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

Berlin Glamour

Chains & Necklaces

Privacy settings