Antique Elegance: A French Coral Cameo Masterpiece

This French Antique Gold and Coral Cameo Necklace, hailing from the Romantic Victorian Period around 1850, is a stunning representation of the era's artistic expression. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, the necklace features a beautifully carved coral cameo, a technique that dates back to ancient times and saw a revival during the Victorian era. The coral's warm hues against the gold create a striking contrast, embodying the sentimental and symbolic themes prevalent in the period. This piece is not only a remarkable example of the intricate craftsmanship of the time but also a testament to the romanticism and devotion that defined the Victorian era.

Antique jewelry object group: necklace

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 French or Belgian origin.

Style: Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
  -  See also: Victorian or more info on styles

Style specifics: The Romantic Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) in to three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 - 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 - 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 - 1901).

We consider this to be of the Romantic Victorian Period. This period covers the coronation of Victoria as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and her marriage to King Albert and their love, their devotion to their marriage and to their country are the sources of inspiration for this period. The jewels of this period are made of intricate carvings, special techniques where the enamel is subtly worked. These techniques allowed to give the jewel a certain opulence with less precious metal needed. As precious metals were really rare at that time. Highly favored (semi-) precious stones in this period are amethyst, coral, garnets, seed pearls and turquoises. The connotation is obviously sentimental, symbolic and romantic with reminiscent Gotic and/or Renaissance patterns and an abundant use of motifs like anchors, birds, branches, crosses, hearts and snakes.

Period: ca. 1850
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Material: 18K yellow gold (touchstone tested)
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Technique: Cameo is a method of carving, or an item of jewellery or vessel made in this manner. It features a raised (positive) relief image. There are three main materials for Cameo carving; Shells or Agate (called a Hardstone cameo), and glass. Cameos can be produced by setting a carved relief, such as a portrait, onto a background of a contrasting colour. This is called an assembled cameo. Alternately, a cameo can be carved directly out of a material with integral layers or banding, such as (banded) agate or layered glass, where different layers have different colours. Sometimes dyes are used to enhance these colours. Cameos are often worn as jewellery. Stone cameos of great artistry were made in Greece dating back as far as the 6th century BC. They were very popular in Ancient Rome, and one of the most famous stone cameos from this period is the Gemma Claudia made for the Emperor Claudius. The technique has since enjoyed periodic revivals, notably in the early Renaissance, and again in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Precious stones: One coral cameo and ten coral beads

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

Dimensions: length 44,00 cm (17,32 inch), height pendant 7,20 cm (2,83 inch) - See picture with a ruler in cm and inches

Weight: 23,00 gram (14,79 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº: 20274-0182

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewellery

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