Gorgeous Belle Epoque diamond guirlande pendant

As a truly extraordinary example from the Belle Époque period -also called in French "Style Guirlande" (English: "Garland-style"), this antique platinum pendant glistens through the 76 diamonds encrusted in the joyfully arranged leafs.

From the upper triple diamond top, two leaflets sprout downwards through both nooses of the central bow from which two ribbons drape over the two twigs. The bow’s heart suspends a dangling old European cut diamond, which chaperones your gaze to two arching garland branches. At the point where they meet, another old European cut diamond sways from a pair of leaflets.

This charming scenery swoops anyone to moments of merry and bliss.

Antique jewelry object group: pendant on chain

Condition: excellent condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Belle Époque - The Belle Époque (French for "Beautiful Era") was a period in European social history that began during the late 19th century and lasted until World War I. Occurring during the time of the French Third Republic and the German Empire, the "Belle Époque" was named in retrospect, when it began to be considered a "golden age" the major powers of Europe, new technologies improved lives and the commercial arts adapted Renaissance and eighteenth-century styles to modern forms. In the newly rich United States, emerging from the Panic of 1873, the comparable epoch was dubbed the Gilded Age. In the United Kingdom, this epoch overlaps the end of what is called the Victorian Era there and the period named the Edwardian Era. or more info on styles

Style specifics: The Belle Époque (French for "Beautiful Era") was a period in European social history that began during the late 19th century from the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and lasted until World War I (1914-18).

Occurring during the time of the French Third Republic and the German Empire, the "Belle Époque" was named in retrospect, when it began to be considered a "golden age" the major powers of Europe, new technologies improved lives and the commercial arts adapted Renaissance and eighteenth-century styles to modern forms.

In the newly rich United States, emerging from the Panic of 1873, the comparable epoch was dubbed the Gilded Age. In the United Kingdom, this epoch overlaps the end of what is called the Victorian Era there and the period named the Edwardian Era.

In the Belle Époque cheap coal and cheap labour contributed to the cult of the orchid and made possible the perfection of fruits grown under glass, as the apparatus of state dinners extended to the upper classes; champagne was perfected during the Belle Époque. Exotic feathers and furs were more prominently featured in fashion than ever before, as haute couture was invented in Paris, the centre of the Belle Époque, where fashion began to move in a yearly cycle; in Paris restaurants such as Maxim's achieved a new splendour and cachet as places for the rich to parade, and the Opéra Garnier devoted enormous spaces to staircases as similar show places.

After mid-century, railways linked all the major cities of Europe to spa towns like Biarritz and Deauville; their carriages were rigorously divided into first-class and second-class, but the super-rich now began to commission private railway coaches, as exclusivity was a hallmark of opulent luxury. Bohemian lifestyles gained a different glamour, pursued in the cabarets of Montmartre.

The Belle Époque style is also called the 'Garland style'. In this era, delicacy was the desired fashion through the use of white metals and white stones shaped in the garland design. Motifs of ribbons and bows, leafs and flowers predominated in symmetrical curvy openwork shapes according to the example of renaissance garland paintings and of the frothiness of the 18th-century rococo patterns.

Period: ca. 1900
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Material: platinum
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Extra information: Wreath - A wreath is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs and/or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring. Wreaths have much history and symbolism associated with them. They are usually made from evergreens and symbolize strength, as evergreens last even throughout the harshest winters. Bay laurel may also be used, and these wreaths are known as laurel wreaths.

The use of wreaths varies by culture, tradition and religions. In Christianity, it is used to prepare for Jesus’ birth and in many cultures around the world, wreaths are used in weddings as a headdress. The history behind wreaths dates back thousands of years and much of the symbolism lies with Greek mythology.

In the Greco-Roman world, wreaths were used as an adornment that could represent a person’s occupation, rank, their achievements and status. The wreath that was commonly used was the laurel wreath and became associated with what Apollo embodied; victory, achievement and status and would later become one of the most commonly used symbols to address achievement throughout Greece and Rome.

The Romans use of laurel wreaths echo the Greek traditions. The wreath was a symbol in the arts, literature, government and education in Roman society. In the arts, it expressed that one was valued and respected with a laurel wreath resting atop one’s head. Kings in both Greece and Rome donned the laurel wreath to illustrate sovereignty. Julius Caesar for example, proclaimed the laurel wreath "to be a symbol of the supreme ruler." The wreaths worn by kings were reminiscent of the traditional laurel wreath by the shape and its connotation yet were embellished with gold and gems. This eventually led to the modern day crown. (from: Wikipedia)

Diamond(s):One old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of ± 0.85ct. (colour and clarity: G/H, i).
One old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of ± 0.85ct. (colour and clarity: G/H, si).
42 old brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 3.26ct.
32 rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
- All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Total diamond weight: approx. 4.96 crt. (without the rose cut diamonds)

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
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Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: width 3,13 cm (1.23 inch), length 5,35 cm (2.11 inch) - Length chain: ca. 45 cm (17.72 inch)

Weight: 14,10 gram (9,07 dwt)

Reference Nº: 16333-0004

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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