IMPERIAL BLUE | RARE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN RENAISSANCE REVIVAL NECKLACE, c.1870s.
ULTRA RARE FIND!!Dating to approximately the 1870s, this spectacular Austro-Hungarian 835 silver-gilt pendant necklace is an extraordinary survivor from the height of the Victorian Historicist / Renaissance Revival movement.
The necklace is wonderfully elaborate from beginning to end, set throughout with rich sapphire-blue paste rhinestones and delicate seed pearls. The decorative links continue around the entire neckline rather than reserving all the detail for the pendant.
And then there is that pendant! The large articulated drop is an absolute feast of antique craftsmanship, with an ornate pierced teardrop-shaped body covered in tiny sculptural flowers, scrolling details, beadwork and raised decoration. At its centre sits a generously sized oval faux sapphire-blue paste surrounded by contrasting silvery detail, while smaller blue paste and pearls are scattered throughout. A further articulated blue drop swings freely beneath.
Even the reverse is beautiful, revealing the intricate pierced and openwork construction — a wonderful reminder that jewellery of this calibre was designed with attention paid to areas that would barely be seen when worn.
The necklace is completed by an equally decorative push-in tongue/box-style clasp, beautifully incorporated into the design rather than looking like a purely functional fitting.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The Austro-Hungarian Empire existed from 1867 until 1918, with important centres of jewellery production across cities including Vienna, Budapest and Prague.
COLLECTABILITY: These elaborate Austro-Hungarian necklaces have become highly collectible.Comparable examples are currently offered online at around US2,000 ( R32 000) –$3,000 (R48 000) territory.
CONDITION NOTE: Please note that one tiny seed pearl and one small blue faux-sapphire rhinestone are missing. Given the extraordinary amount of decoration throughout the necklace, these losses are genuinely very difficult to notice when the piece is worn and do not detract from its incredible overall presence.
Measurements :Length of 39cm.Weight of 28grams
