Delicate Necklace with a Natural Pearl, Diamonds, and Sapphires, c. 1910

When medieval cathedrals were restored in the 19th century and architects such as Eugène Viollet-le-Duc rediscovered the Gothic style—and in some cases completed it according to their own visions—the formal language of the Gothic also found its way into the workshops of Europe’s artisans. Pointed arches, tracery, and slender, skyward-reaching lines were regarded as the epitome of a romantic past and became popular motifs of historicism. Pieces of jewellery featuring Gothic motifs are rarely found, but this delicate necklace captures the enthusiasm for this style in a particularly elegant way. Suspended from a delicate chain is a diamond-set pointed arch that subtly evokes the tracery of a Gothic church window. On either side, it opens into two deep-blue sapphires, whose rich colour provides a striking contrast to the bright sparkle of the diamonds. From the center of the arch, a slender bar extends downward, adorned with additional diamonds at regular intervals, until it finally ends in a delicate natural pearl. The elongated design lends the piece a sense of lightness and evokes the elegant verticality of Gothic architecture. The necklace is crafted in silver on a gold base. While the supporting structure is made of yellow gold, the diamonds are set in a silver front that reflects their light particularly effectively. Together with the warm creamy white of the natural pearl and the deep blue of the sapphires, a harmonious and timeless color composition is created. The necklace is in excellent condition, and with its delicate design and aesthetic, it is an elegant accessory that preserves the romantic spirit of historicism into the present day.

Estimate:$1,450.66

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