Cross of Awe: An 18th Century 'A la Jeanette' Legacy

In the presence of this 18th-century 'A la Jeanette' cross pendant, one is enveloped in awe, contemplating its journey through time. Crafted with the exquisite filigree work typical of Belgian Rococo, its red gold and silver design, set with diamonds and senailles, whispers tales of its past life amidst the opulence of a bygone era. It stands as a surviving relic of lavish history, once the cherished possession of an affluent family, its undiminished splendour transcending the centuries to reach us in very good condition.

Antique jewelry object group: pendant

Condition: very good condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Rococo - Rococo (less commonly roccoco) also referred to as "Late Baroque" is an 18th century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly more ornate, florid, and playful. Rococo rooms were designed as total works of art with elegant and ornate furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and tapestry complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings. It was largely supplanted by the Neoclassic style. In 1835 the Dictionary of the French Academy stated that the word Rococo "usually covers the kind of ornament, style and design associated with Louis XV's reign and the beginning of that of Louis XVI". It includes therefore, all types of art produced around the middle of the 18th century in France.
  -  See also: Rococo or more info on styles

Style specifics: Rococo is a style of decoration that followed, c.1730, the baroque style in France (where it was also called rocaille), the principal features of which are asymmetry of ornament and a repertoire consisting to a considerable extent of rockwork, shells, flowers, foliage, and scrollwork. It was developed in France under Louis XV, 1715-74, and spread to Italy, Germany, and Austria and to a lesser extent to England.

Period: ca. 1750
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Source of inspiration: Christianity

Theme: Cross - The cross is one of the most ancient human symbols, and is used by many religions, such as Christianity. It is frequently a representation of the division of the world into four elements (or cardinal points), or alternately as the union of the concepts of divinity, the vertical line, and the world, the horizontal line. (from: Wikipedia)

Material: 18k red gold and silver, see also: The silver on gold technique
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Technique: The rose cuts are set on foil. This is a special technique that was used to bring the lustre of the diamonds to its best quality.

Extra information: This type of pendant is typically Belgian in the late 18th till mid-19th century. They are called 'à la Jeannette'. A croix à la Jeanette (French for: "cross in the style of Jeanette") is a pendant in the form of a heart with a latin cross dangling from it

Diamond(s): Six table cut rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
27 senailles . A senaille is a simplified rose cut diamond, a small diamond chip with perhaps a few polished facets. We do not have the weight of these diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to senailles.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: height 9,30 cm (3,66 inch)

Weight: 16,30 gram (10,48 dwt)

Reference Nº: 17124-0058

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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