JEWELLERY, ANTIQUE & ART AUCTION Tuesday, 25 June 2019 - 9:30 AM start

An impressive quality 19thC Grand Tour micro-mosaic and gold multi-pendant necklace

Lot Details

the seven graduating micro-mosaic pendant drops highlighted with coloured enamels including Egyptian female rulers, butterflies, bird and cherub, each in a gold frame with rope twist and bead border, suspended from a snake link chain with sprung ring suspension clasp, requiring attention. Testing as 14ct. yellow gold. The largest pendant of width 34mm. Total length 40mm. Note: the intricate micro-mosaic works were created in Rome, being highly regarded by 'Grand Tour' travellers c.1860s. the painstakingly crafted tiny fragments of glass for Tesserae were highlighted with enamelled metallics which in ancient Egypt symbolised renewal or eternity itself. The elaborate Etruscan styled gold wirework and beading was inspired by the famous Italian jeweller Fortunato Pio Castellani. Examples including this quantity of pendants on a single necklace are extremely rare. Minor losses consistent with age. Provenance: From the estate of a prominent Manawatu family with N.Z. parliamentary and union heritage linking back to the late 19th and early 20thC, items from this family were deposited with the Dominion Museum, c.1920.