Important Jewelry and Rare & Exotic G...

New York, Grand Havana Room, Jun 22, 2000

LOT 451

Exceptionally Fine Belle Epoque Diamond Necklace, Russia

USD 35,000 - 45,000

In the garland style, set with rose-cut and old mine-cut diamonds, intricately decorated with laurel leaf and lotus flower motifs, suspending several drops, the largest terminating in a pear-shaped, old mine-cut diamond weighing approx. 3 cts., the total weight of the diamonds (excluding the rose-cuts) approx. 25 cts., mounted in silver and platinum, measuring approx.16 inches (40 cm).Accompanied by original, fitted wooden box


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2, 11, 17
Movement: 2, 9
Dial: 3,9,14; 22-23

Later

Notes

This necklace is an especially fine example of the Garland Style - lightweight, with open swags, free-hanging drops, articulated sections and the typical laurel leaf and lotus flower motifs so indicative of the style. However, this necklace shows evidence of the Art Nouveau style as well, as seen in the upper portions of the piece, with the wide, open curves so typical of Art Nouveau. The unusual combination of these two feminine styles creates an elegant, extremely graceful jewel. The qualitof the piece also confirms its pedigree; it is superbly made, the back as beautifully finished as the front, so indicative of the fine work of the Russian houses of the day. The diamonds are also of fine quality, for the period of the piece - another example of the high standards of the Russians, in a time when they greatly influenced European design and were known to produce some of the finest jewels of our Era.