Necklace
1800-1867 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The production of coral jewellery was a major industry in the south of Italy from prehistoric times. Tourists loved to buy coral jewellery in fashionable shapes, but it was also very popular with Italian women, who valued it for its colour and amuletic qualities. Coral branches were often left in a natural state for amulets, but beads for necklaces were always shaped. In the 19th century the coral workers often carved patterns on the beads, as here.
This necklace was bought as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
This necklace was bought as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cross-hatched coral beads on a green and cream cord |
| Brief description | Necklace of carved coral beads, Rome (Italy), 1800-1867. |
| Physical description | Necklace of 43 graduated coral beads, each decorated with cross-hatching, strung on a green and cream cord. No clasp. |
| Dimensions |
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| Summary | The production of coral jewellery was a major industry in the south of Italy from prehistoric times. Tourists loved to buy coral jewellery in fashionable shapes, but it was also very popular with Italian women, who valued it for its colour and amuletic qualities. Coral branches were often left in a natural state for amulets, but beads for necklaces were always shaped. In the 19th century the coral workers often carved patterns on the beads, as here. This necklace was bought as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Italian Jewellery as worn by the Peasants of Italy', Arundel Society, London, 1868, Plate 8 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 164-1868 |
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| Record created | October 17, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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