Antique Pearl and Gold Demi-Parure of a Bracelet and Pendant-Brooch, Paris, c. 1870

Maximalism

Antique Pearl and Gold Demi-Parure of a Bracelet and Pendant-Brooch, Paris, c. 1870

€ 7,890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

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

If you’re going to revel in beauty, you might as well do it properly and to the fullest! In the late 19th century, a time of economic prosperity, fashion demanded complete devotion: silhouettes became increasingly opulent, lavish, and voluminous. Following the austere classicism of the Napoleonic era, naturalism had already brought back a newfound joy in vibrant colours and grand forms by the middle of the century, a trend that reached its peak in the second half. Historical forms, natural forms, geometric abstractions: everything came together and was joyfully combined into designs never before seen. This development reached its peak in the 1860s and 1870s. The set presented here—consisting of a bracelet and a pendant brooch, a so-called “demi-parure”—is the finest example of this trend. Both pieces are crafted from high-karat gold and set with natural pearls in striking black-enameled settings. The central motif is a round medallion of polished gold, which has been richly embellished with an ever-changing array of frames, cords, palmette motifs, and, not least, the pearls. In the case of the bracelet, the polished and engraved link bracelet extends to the right and left. In the case of the brooch, a decorative element with fringes is attached. Despite the richness of their forms, the pieces of jewellery remain understated in their color palette, reduced to the warm luster of the gold. In our opinion, this is the strength of the design and also the reason why the set remains wearable to this day: its monochromatic palette provides a counterpoint to the richness of the forms and prevents the design from becoming too exuberant. The quality of the craftsmanship involved in making the pieces of jewellery is remarkable. Unlike many comparable pieces created in Germany at the same time, no filled or reinforced gold structures were used here. Although the high-karat gold is finely and lightly worked, it has sufficient substance to accommodate the meticulous hand engravings. This precision craftsmanship is characteristic of high-quality French goldsmith work from the second third of the 19th century.

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The reign of Napoleon III went down in French history as the Second Empire. Architecture, furniture, and interior design from 1852 to 1870 were characterized by exuberant opulence and showcased a wide variety of forms of French-style historicism. This era also saw the large-scale redevelopment of Paris—under Baron Georges-Eugène Hausmann, the city was transformed through radical street realignments that created the famous boulevards, which continue to define the image of Paris to this day. Magnificent buildings such as the famous Opéra Garnier were constructed, whose Neo-Baroque forms exemplify the aesthetic tastes of the Second Empire. And in the field of jewellery as well, France had once again become the center of the world.

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Size & Details

Maximalism

€ 7,890.00 ^*

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.

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Maximalism

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