Necklace thumbnail 1
Necklace thumbnail 2
+1
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Necklace

ca. 1820s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The original necklace was enlarged with pieces from another set. Similarly the chains were probably added to lengthen the necklace.
The colourful and flamboyant jewellery of the 1820s and 1830s could be set with up to a dozen different stones within a rich gold and coloured gold framework. Special manufacturing techniques and decorative effects were used to achieve an expensive finish using smaller amounts of gold. Although lightly made, this opulent jewellery looked heavier than earlier Neo-classical work.

The highly ornate filigree work of spirals (cannetille) and granules (grainti) added an appealing relief texture, but it was more popular on mainland Europe than in England, where clients preferred more substantial areas of plain gold.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Necklace
  • Pendant
Materials and techniques
Gold, amethysts and pearls
Brief description
Necklace with pendant, gold filigree with cannetille and grainti decoration, set with amethysts and pearls, France, about 1820-30
Physical description
Necklace with pendant, gold filigree with cannetille and grainti decoration, set with amethysts and pearls.
Dimensions
  • Height: 22.8cm
  • Width: 17.9cm
  • Depth: 0.9cm
Credit line
Cory Bequest
Summary
The original necklace was enlarged with pieces from another set. Similarly the chains were probably added to lengthen the necklace.
The colourful and flamboyant jewellery of the 1820s and 1830s could be set with up to a dozen different stones within a rich gold and coloured gold framework. Special manufacturing techniques and decorative effects were used to achieve an expensive finish using smaller amounts of gold. Although lightly made, this opulent jewellery looked heavier than earlier Neo-classical work.

The highly ornate filigree work of spirals (cannetille) and granules (grainti) added an appealing relief texture, but it was more popular on mainland Europe than in England, where clients preferred more substantial areas of plain gold.
Collection
Accession number
M.138&C-1951

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Record createdAugust 11, 2005
Record URL
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