1750s Rococo Silver Cross: Artistry in Jewellery

A vintage silver cross pendant from around 1750 showcases the ornate Rococo design. Adorned with fifteen rose cut diamonds and senailles, each diamond is set to emphasise its radiance. Uniquely, the reverse side is treated with fire-gilding, a historic technique intended to prevent tarnishing against skin and fabric, highlighting the piece’s practical and artistic heritage. This pendant is a testament to the sophisticated artistry of the mid-18th century, presenting a piece that resonates with the elegance and charm valued by aficionados of antique jewellery.

Antique jewelry object group
cross pendant

Condition
In very good condition, considering its age
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
unknown

Style
Rococo - Rococo (less commonly roccoco) also referred to as "Late Baroque" is an 18th century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly more ornate, florid, and playful. Rococo rooms were designed as total works of art with elegant and ornate furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and tapestry complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings. It was largely supplanted by the Neoclassic style. In 1835 the Dictionary of the French Academy stated that the word Rococo "usually covers the kind of ornament, style and design associated with Louis XV's reign and the beginning of that of Louis XVI". It includes therefore, all types of art produced around the middle of the 18th century in France.
See also: Rococo
more info on styles

Style specifics
Rococo is a style of decoration that followed, c.1730, the baroque style in France (where it was also called rocaille), the principal features of which are asymmetry of ornament and a repertoire consisting to a considerable extent of rockwork, shells, flowers, foliage, and scrollwork. It was developed in France under Louis XV, 1715-74, and spread to Italy, Germany, and Austria and to a lesser extent to England.

Period
ca. 1750
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
Christianity

Theme
Cross - The cross is one of the most ancient human symbols, and is used by many religions, such as Christianity. It is frequently a representation of the division of the world into four elements (or cardinal points), or alternately as the union of the concepts of divinity, the vertical line, and the world, the horizontal line. (from: Wikipedia)

Material
Silver with gilded back
more info on precious metals

Technique
The rose cuts are set on foil. This is a special technique that was used to bring the lustre of the diamonds to its best quality.

Extra information The reverse side of the centre of the cross is hand-engraved and, although not perfectly preserved, it is still evident that the reverse has been fire-gilded, an old technique no longer in use.

Diamonds
Fifteen rose cut diamonds and senailles . A senaille is a simplified rose cut diamond, a small diamond chip with perhaps a few polished facets. We do not have the weight of the rose cuts diamonds nor the senailles which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cut diamonds and senailles.
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.
more info on birthstones

Hallmarks
No trace.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
4,91 cm (1,93 inch) x 3,75 cm (1,48 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
11,20 gram (7,20 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
24121-0345

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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