Vibrant Colorways in 19th C Jewelry 👑✨
Three opposing colors come together in this drop. From the outrageous burning orange of this high relief coral cameo, to the gemmy autumnal plum tone of the Maltese almandine garnet ring, to the striking cobalt enamel of this sterling watch chain... color is a mainstay of 19th century jewelry, and one of the keystones of its evergreen utility.
This first treasure is a stunning 20" Sterling and Cobalt Enamel Chain. Like all art, the zeitgeist of a particular era is written in the design of its jewelry. It is said that Art Nouveau jewelry was a reaction to French society at the time, including women's fight to secure more rights for themselves outside of the home. The nation's loss in the Franco-Prussian War left the French worried about what would occur if women got jobs and education, and worried the birth rate would then drop, leaving the country with fewer men to support future armies. This explains the feminist flavor of Art Nouveau.A superb watch chain circa 1890-1910. Â With an original embellished dog clip and English hallmarks, this piece likely once held a ladies' watch, but is now quite prepared to tote whatever you please!Â
Next up we have a gorgeous Almandine Garnet Maltese Cross Ring. Maltese cross garnet drop pendants and other jewelry pieces were made popular by Lady (Emma) Hamilton, Lord Nelson's mistress, who collected food and money for the Maltese when they were being invaded by France at the end of the 18th Century. It started out as a wearable medal for good deeds/work but soon became a very popular pendant for English women everywhere. No questions asked, this gorgeous ring with claw prongs will be a mainstay in any collection.Â
Lastly, a Coral Cameo Ring of Goddess Flora c. 1850. Flora is not only a goddess but also a Latin word that means “flower.” Before she was a Roman goddess, Flora was a Greek goddess by the name of Khloris, and in Greek that doesn't mean “flower” but it does mean “green,” which is why the green stuff in leaves is called chlorophyll. This extremely high relief cameo dates to the mid 19th century and was originally a stick pin. In excellent condition, she is ready to begin her life as a ring with a bang; 9 outrageous roses decorate her hair and a beautiful scrolling shank creates tension with the whirlpool motif of her swirling curls.
This first treasure is a stunning 20" Sterling and Cobalt Enamel Chain. Like all art, the zeitgeist of a particular era is written in the design of its jewelry. It is said that Art Nouveau jewelry was a reaction to French society at the time, including women's fight to secure more rights for themselves outside of the home. The nation's loss in the Franco-Prussian War left the French worried about what would occur if women got jobs and education, and worried the birth rate would then drop, leaving the country with fewer men to support future armies. This explains the feminist flavor of Art Nouveau.A superb watch chain circa 1890-1910. Â With an original embellished dog clip and English hallmarks, this piece likely once held a ladies' watch, but is now quite prepared to tote whatever you please!Â
Next up we have a gorgeous Almandine Garnet Maltese Cross Ring. Maltese cross garnet drop pendants and other jewelry pieces were made popular by Lady (Emma) Hamilton, Lord Nelson's mistress, who collected food and money for the Maltese when they were being invaded by France at the end of the 18th Century. It started out as a wearable medal for good deeds/work but soon became a very popular pendant for English women everywhere. No questions asked, this gorgeous ring with claw prongs will be a mainstay in any collection.Â
Lastly, a Coral Cameo Ring of Goddess Flora c. 1850. Flora is not only a goddess but also a Latin word that means “flower.” Before she was a Roman goddess, Flora was a Greek goddess by the name of Khloris, and in Greek that doesn't mean “flower” but it does mean “green,” which is why the green stuff in leaves is called chlorophyll. This extremely high relief cameo dates to the mid 19th century and was originally a stick pin. In excellent condition, she is ready to begin her life as a ring with a bang; 9 outrageous roses decorate her hair and a beautiful scrolling shank creates tension with the whirlpool motif of her swirling curls.
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