Better with Age - Renaissance Revival

During the holiday season, we thought we'd feature some of the more festive pieces we've bought recently. This fabulous Renaissance Revival necklace, circa 1870, is a favorite of the staff here at CIRCA. It is composed of enamel in a striking blue, and set with rubies, pearls and diamonds for contrast.

In the same way that today's fashion draws from past eras, as jewelry collecting became widespread among the nobility of Europe during the 19th century, they also looked to the past for inspiration. The lack of availability of the original pieces found in the artwork of the Renaissance era led to the trend of reproductions, or Renaissance Revival, in the mid-1800's. This necklace is comparable to pieces of the "Holbeinesque" style, named after Renaissance artist Hans Holbein. It does not have the champlevé enamel that typically adorns Holbeinesque pieces, but is similar in its oval shape and overall style.

Whenever you’re selling enamel jewelry, the condition of the piece is a key determinant of its value. This particular piece is in wonderful shape considering its age. All of the enamel is intact, and the stones and pearls are original. Enamel jewelry is created by the fusion of powdered glass to metal – a very time- and skill-intensive process. Therefore, attempted repair of antique pieces are difficult and rarely done well. Some modern jewelers like Tiffany & Co. do still use this process in their jewelry lines because of the vibrant colors it produces. Print this post