Diamonds of the Belle Époque: Austrian-Hungarian Elegance

A jewel of the Belle Époque, this pendant captures the essence of a bygone era, where elegance and sophistication reigned supreme. Its intricate 14K red gold and silver composition, adorned with a constellation of 73 diamonds, mirrors the period's passion for intricate design and refined luxury. Each diamond, harmoniously arranged, whispers tales of Austrian-Hungarian artistry, making this pendant not just an accessory, but a portal to the opulent and artistic zenith of the Belle Époque.

Antique jewelry object group: pendant on chain

Condition: very good condition
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Country of origin: Although it does not carry any clearly legible control marks we believe this to be of Austria-Hungarian 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.

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

Material: 14K red gold and silver, see also: The silver on gold technique
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Diamond(s): Three old European cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.68ct. (colour and clarity: G/J, si/i).
70 old mine single brilliant cut diamonds (also called 8/8) with an estimated weight of ± 1.70ct. (colour and clarity: G/J, si/i).

Total diamond count: 73 pcs.

Total diamond weight: approx. 2.38 crt. with an average colour and clarity: G/J, si/i.

- 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.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
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Hallmarks: Remains of Austrian Hungarian hallmarks.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: width pendant 3,22 cm (1,27 inch), length necklace 44,00 cm (17,32 inch)

Weight: 10,00 gram (6,43 dwt)

Reference Nº: 17286-0096

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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