Belle Époque Ribbon Bow: Convertible Diamond Jewel

An heirloom of the Belle Époque, this ca. 1910 brooch-pendant on chain glistens with history, its 110 old mine brilliant cut diamonds totalling approximately 8.14 carats. Fashioned from platinum it epitomises the era's opulence, its design inspired by the elegance of ribbon bows. The ingenuity of its convertible design, transforming from brooch to pendant, speaks of a time when innovation met beauty. Though its origins are cloaked in mystery, the piece is a palpable echo of the 'Beautiful Era', a time capsule of splendour and the zenith of craftsmanship.

Antique jewelry object group
combined brooch-pendant on chain

Condition
very good condition
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Country of origin
unknown

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.
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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. 1910
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
ribbon bows

Material
platinum and 18K yellow gold (touchstone tested)
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Technique
At the back of this jewel there is an ingenious screw system which allows you to simply change it from brooch to pendant on necklace and visa versa.

Diamonds
Two old mine brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 1.45ct
Eight old mine brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 1.92ct
100 old mine brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 4.77ct


Total diamond count
110 pcs.

Total diamond weight
approx. 8.14 crt with an average colour and clarity F/J, vs/si

All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
All diamonds we offer are screened by the I.J.G.C. for whether they are natural or synthetic, and all diamonds in this jewel are 100% guaranteed to be natural.

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
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Hallmarks
No trace.
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Dimensions
brooch/pendant 4,70 cm (1,85 inch) x 6,00 cm (2,36 inch) length necklace 43
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
20,40 gram (13,12 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
22152-0220

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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