The Call of the Past

Heart-Shaped Pendant with Portrait Miniature & Diamond Ribbon, c. 1895

€ 1,980.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Heart-Shaped Pendant with Portrait Miniature & Diamond Ribbon, c. 1895

Description

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

A soft, antique heart shape, as it was widespread in the 18th century, is crowned by a sparkling bow set with diamonds. In the heart we see the miniature portrait of a lady. Her powdered wig piles up into a deliberately imperfect mound of curls and she wears a fichu around her neck - the fashion of the 1780s, on the eve of the French Revolution. At first, second, perhaps even third glance, the design of the pendant itself also follows the fashion of the time - but the details, such as the setting of the diamonds and its general workmanship, reveal that the beautiful piece was not created until later, at the very end of the 19th century. Europe was at peace and industrialization had brought great prosperity to the bourgeoisie. The Rococo, that bygone era of supposed splendor and gaiety, could once again become a point of reference and a role model - with the difference that now it was no longer just the nobility who were allowed to participate. Masked balls were held at which people danced to old French tunes, and even fashion was reminiscent of the Rococo period. Of course, jewellery fashion also had to follow suit. As early as 1888, a reader wrote to the German ladies' journal Bazar with the concern "that in fashion [...] a tendency towards rococo is now noticeable" and she now wondered "whether it is a sign of good taste if the thinking reader brings her gold jewellery in line with the style of her costume." A lady with a very similar attitude would have worn this pendant. Whether she wore it to a masked ball or to afternoon tea, with a decolletéd dress decorated with rococo ribbons? One thing is certain: like us today, she also succumbed to the nostalgia and beauty of antique designs.

Size & Details

The Call of the Past

€ 1,980.00 ^*

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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The Call of the Past

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