Fabulous Pendant with Diamonds and a Pearl in Platinum on White Gold, c. 1920

Imperial jewels, diamonds weighing dozens of carats, and pearls of equal size now lie in museums behind steel and glass, silent witnesses to a bygone era. Yet it was not these pieces that once defined the image of those eras now so distant from us: It was the smaller, wearable—yet no less beautifully crafted—jewels that defined the taste of an era. Perhaps those given as a gift to a young mother, worn by a debutante to her first ball, or saved up for over a long period to finally present to a beloved. These necklaces, rings, and bracelets were cherished and worn; they could be seen in the salons of the upper middle class, at balls, and on festive occasions—not just at court. Yet these are not the pieces one can admire in museums to gain an impression of the jewelry craftsmanship of an era. With wise foresight, the Deutsche Goldschmiede-Zeitung asked as early as 1904, “Where else but in private collections should the living testimonies to the beauty of our time and its aspirations be preserved and safeguarded?” (DGZ 1904, p. 154). This pendant is one such living testament, as if plucked straight from that era. It is finely and delicately crafted and was already considered a precious piece of evening jewelry back then; yet its size is modest enough to make it not only a collector’s item but also wearable. The pendant is designed in an elegant teardrop shape, with an old-cut diamond weighing about half a carat and of very fine quality serving as the focal point beneath a delicate eyelet. In the recess of the teardrop-shaped frame, a beautiful pearl with a creamy-white luster shimmers on a pendant. The edges of this delicate piece are lined with milgrains, divided by shadow gaps, and set with an additional half carat of diamonds, so that the entire arrangement appears like a composition of light. The piece of jewellery was likely crafted in Germany; we date it to around 1920. It is in very good condition and of high-quality craftsmanship. It came to us from Cologne along with its sturdy platinum anchor chain.

Estimate:£2,284.96

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