Necklace thumbnail 1
Necklace thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Necklace

1800-1867 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The dominant colours in Italian traditional jewellery are red and gold. Coral was the most popular material for necklaces, but garnets were also sometimes used, as here. Most Italian traditional necklaces are made of beads, in designs which have been worn for centuries.

Garnet beads were more common elsewhere in Europe, particularly in the Germanic regions. They were always faceted in the 19th century, to make use of their high natural brilliance.

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
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Necklace
  • Necklace
Materials and techniques
Faceted garnet beads with a gilt metal clasp
Brief description
Necklace of facetted garnet beads, Rome (Italy), 1800-1867.
Physical description
Necklace of six graduated strings of faceted garnet beads, with a gilt snap clasp shaped like a double axe. Three strings broken.
Dimensions
  • Shortest length length: 56cm
  • From top string to bottom string, at centre width: 13.7cm
  • Depth: 0.3cm
Summary
The dominant colours in Italian traditional jewellery are red and gold. Coral was the most popular material for necklaces, but garnets were also sometimes used, as here. Most Italian traditional necklaces are made of beads, in designs which have been worn for centuries.

Garnet beads were more common elsewhere in Europe, particularly in the Germanic regions. They were always faceted in the 19th century, to make use of their high natural brilliance.

This necklace was bought as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
Bibliographic references
  • 'Italian Jewellery as worn by the Peasants of Italy', Arundel Society, London, 1868, Plate 8
  • For a later example, showing the same use of multiple strands of facetted garnet beads, see: Catalogue, ‘l'Ornamento Prezioso’, Rome/Milan, 1986, Tab.24, fig. 108
Collection
Accession number
165-1868

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Record createdOctober 17, 2008
Record URL
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