Necklace
ca. 1870 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The archaeological discoveries of the 19th century led to a greater awareness and understanding of ancient jewellery. For the first time these intricate gold pieces were collected, studied and published, and both the originals and the published illustrations of them were a rich new source for designers of jewellery. The resulting 'archaeological-style' jewellery was fashionable from around 1860 until at least the 1880s. The Italian firm of Castellani was at the forefront of this style. Castellani both made jewellery and owned an extensive collection of antiquities. This necklace is a copy of a Greek original from around 330-300 BC that was excavated at Great Blinitza, in the Crimea in 1864, now at the Hermitage Museum.
Possibly the version shown by Alessandro Castellani at the International Exhibitions in Philadelphia in 1876 and 1878.
Possibly the version shown by Alessandro Castellani at the International Exhibitions in Philadelphia in 1876 and 1878.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Woven gold band, with a fringe of hollow gold pendants |
| Brief description | Necklace. Italy, 1864-76; made by Castellani. Gold, chased, with granulation and filigree |
| Physical description | Gold necklace. The medallions of the pendants represent Thetis riding a sea-monster and carrying the armour of Achilles; hung with rosettes and bud-like drops.Applied plaque with the Castellani monogram. Made after Greek originals of about 330-300 BC |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Monogram of two 'C's (Addorsed Cs in appied wire (not any of the marks illustrated in Munn, 1984)) |
| Object history | Purchased from the sale of Alessandro Castellani's effects, Rome 1884. Made after Greek originals of about 360 BC excavated at Great Blinitza in South Russia in 1864 and acquired for the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. The pendants (or similar specimens) were shown by Castellani at the Paris Exhibition of 1878. Castellani Jewellery Exhibition RF.2003/302 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The archaeological discoveries of the 19th century led to a greater awareness and understanding of ancient jewellery. For the first time these intricate gold pieces were collected, studied and published, and both the originals and the published illustrations of them were a rich new source for designers of jewellery. The resulting 'archaeological-style' jewellery was fashionable from around 1860 until at least the 1880s. The Italian firm of Castellani was at the forefront of this style. Castellani both made jewellery and owned an extensive collection of antiquities. This necklace is a copy of a Greek original from around 330-300 BC that was excavated at Great Blinitza, in the Crimea in 1864, now at the Hermitage Museum. Possibly the version shown by Alessandro Castellani at the International Exhibitions in Philadelphia in 1876 and 1878. |
| Associated objects | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 638-1884 |
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| Record created | February 25, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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