Lot 142
An impressive 19th century carved coral and gold mounted necklace and pendant earrings
Auction: 27 November 2013 at 11:00 GMT
Description
the broad fine woven gold neck band with similar woven drapes forming tiered compartments of graduated fringes framing carved coral, acorns, palmettes, and Bacchanalian masks, apparently unmarked, together with a pair of pendant earrings, later hoop fittings carved coral palmette terminal, to a bar with applied bead and wire work, further suspension of woven gold wire forming tiered compartments containing further carved coral acorns, palmettes and Bacchus mask, all in original fitted box with retailers label for Bolten of Naples
Dimensions
Length 43cm, length of drop at centre 5.7cm, earrings 6.5cm long
Footnote
Coral became very popular and the 'must have' jewellery after 1845 when The Duchesse d'Aumale married a prince of the two Sicilies. He presented his bride with some exceptional coral jewellery. Naples and Genoa were the two centres producing the best of coral jewellery and would be purchased by people on vacation or doing the Grand Tour. Coral was thought to have powers to ward off evil and protect children from danger, hence it's use in teething rings. One English jeweller Robert Phillips of Cockspur Street was acknowledged by the King of Italy for the development of the coral trade in Naples.
Little appears to be known about BOLTEN of Naples but a number of pieces of coral jewellery in their fitted boxes have appeared on the market.