Antique Necklace Made of Italian Mediterranean Coral with a Gold Clasp, c. 1900

Since time immemorial, Mediterranean coral has been one of the most popular natural materials used in jewellery. Even in ancient times, it was regarded as a good-luck charm with protective powers. A belief from 17th-century Venice has been passed down: “Wherever a person goes, whether at home or traveling by ship, coral drives away the evil shadows of spirits, bad dreams, lightning, winds, and storms, and protects against all misfortune.” To this day, this ancient folk belief has persisted in some parts of Italy. In Naples, for example, many people still wear small amulets made of red coral, which are said to protect their wearers—especially children—from misfortune. Yet the appeal of Mediterranean coral extends far beyond its symbolic significance. It captivates above all with its color—a warm, vibrant red that shifts between a delicate salmon hue and a rich coral tone, a shade found in no other jewelry material. Around 1900, particularly large coral beads were among the most precious treasures of European arts and crafts. The necklace presented here is a beautiful example of this: a total of 74 large coral beads form a harmonious, graduated arrangement that increases in size toward the center. The largest bead measures 17.6 mm in diameter, while even the smallest is still 5.4 mm—dimensions that have become virtually impossible to find in genuine Mediterranean coral today. All beads were hand-cut and are distinguished by their exceptionally beautiful, uniform colour quality. The simple gold spring-ring clasp is deliberately understated, allowing the precious corals to take center stage. The exceptional quality of this necklace has been confirmed by an independent gemological laboratory. The coral necklace came to us from southern Germany. Quoted from Isabella Palumbo Fossati Casa: Intérieurs vénitiens à la Renaissance. Maisons, société et culture, Paris 2012, p. 276.

Estimate:$7,523.19

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