Plaque
ca. 1870-1880 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
It is probable that this necklace was made by Alessandro Castellani who's fine workmanship makes it hard for the eye to differentiate between his techniques used to imitate antique jewellery and those of the Ancient World. Under the microscope the differences are much clearer. The granulated design and "Etruscan" inscription on this plaque were produced using particles of solder to secure the very small grains of gold.
In antiquity, an organic glue and a substance containing copper was spread on the gold and the jewellery heated. At 850 degrees centigrade the carbon from the burnt glue reacts with the substance containing copper to release pure copper. This copper lowers the melting point of the gold. It alloys with, and diffuses into, the gold thus bonding the sheet, wires and granules in place.
In antiquity, an organic glue and a substance containing copper was spread on the gold and the jewellery heated. At 850 degrees centigrade the carbon from the burnt glue reacts with the substance containing copper to release pure copper. This copper lowers the melting point of the gold. It alloys with, and diffuses into, the gold thus bonding the sheet, wires and granules in place.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold, with granulation |
| Brief description | Gold, with Etruscan inscription, Italy, possibly Naples, about 1870-1880; made by Alessandro Castellani (1824-83) |
| Physical description | Rectangular gold plaque with Etruscan inscription |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | (Inscription is part of a tomb inscription in Tarquinia)
|
| Object history | Castellani Jewellery Exhibition RF.2003/302 |
| Historical context | Formerly in the collection of Alessandro Castellani |
| Summary | It is probable that this necklace was made by Alessandro Castellani who's fine workmanship makes it hard for the eye to differentiate between his techniques used to imitate antique jewellery and those of the Ancient World. Under the microscope the differences are much clearer. The granulated design and "Etruscan" inscription on this plaque were produced using particles of solder to secure the very small grains of gold. In antiquity, an organic glue and a substance containing copper was spread on the gold and the jewellery heated. At 850 degrees centigrade the carbon from the burnt glue reacts with the substance containing copper to release pure copper. This copper lowers the melting point of the gold. It alloys with, and diffuses into, the gold thus bonding the sheet, wires and granules in place. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 636-1884 |
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| Record created | September 23, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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