Earring
ca. 1860-1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The colour of the chrysoprases has been enhanced with green material behind the stones in their settings. Made for export to the East with a crescent shape at the bottom of the drop.
Gold, in a variety of treatments, became a dominant element in jewellery from the 1820s. It was used successfully in mesh necklaces and bracelets, gold chain and wire work, also as a foil to gemstones.
The technique of filigree with spirals and granules (cannetille and grainti) was revived in France then copied in England. Jewellers liked the economical use of gold and women appreciated the intricacy of the style.
Coloured golds were also popular. In gold alloy more copper gives a redder gold, while extra zinc or zinc and silver will result in a pale yellow gold.
Gold, in a variety of treatments, became a dominant element in jewellery from the 1820s. It was used successfully in mesh necklaces and bracelets, gold chain and wire work, also as a foil to gemstones.
The technique of filigree with spirals and granules (cannetille and grainti) was revived in France then copied in England. Jewellers liked the economical use of gold and women appreciated the intricacy of the style.
Coloured golds were also popular. In gold alloy more copper gives a redder gold, while extra zinc or zinc and silver will result in a pale yellow gold.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Gold openwork, set with chrysoprases |
| Brief description | Gold openwork set with chrysoprases, France, about 1860-70 |
| Physical description | Pair of earrings, gold openwork set with chrysoprases. |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mr John George Joicey |
| Summary | The colour of the chrysoprases has been enhanced with green material behind the stones in their settings. Made for export to the East with a crescent shape at the bottom of the drop. Gold, in a variety of treatments, became a dominant element in jewellery from the 1820s. It was used successfully in mesh necklaces and bracelets, gold chain and wire work, also as a foil to gemstones. The technique of filigree with spirals and granules (cannetille and grainti) was revived in France then copied in England. Jewellers liked the economical use of gold and women appreciated the intricacy of the style. Coloured golds were also popular. In gold alloy more copper gives a redder gold, while extra zinc or zinc and silver will result in a pale yellow gold. |
| Bibliographic reference | Shirley Bury, Jewellery 1789-1910, The International Era, Woodbridge, The AAntique Collectors' Club, 1991, Vol. 1. p.397, plate 214 ISBN. 18514910X |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.266&A-1919 |
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| Record created | August 15, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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