Parure: Buckle
Manufacturer: Royal Ironworks of Berlin or Gleiwitz, Silesia (active 1804-1874)
Date: about 1825
Dimensions:
(Necklace) L: 17 5/16 in. (44 cm);
(Bracelets) L: 6 11/16 in. (17 cm)
Medium: Iron, steel, and gold
Place of Origin: Germany
Classification: Metalwork
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 2004.91B
Label Text:The Napoleonic Wars (1807/08–1812) prompted the Prussian Royal family to call for donations of gold jewelry to help finance the war effort. In return, wealthy patriotic citizens were given an iron cross or other iron jewelry, cast in a special process developed at the Royal Ironworks in Berlin, Germany or in Gleiwitz, Silesia (modern Poland). Such jewelry became fashionable in post-war Europe. This cast iron, gold, and polished steel parure (matching jewelry set) is one of the finest iron ensembles known. It was a gift of the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III (ruled 1797–1840) to Blanche Charlotte de Roncherolles, Countess Ferragut and Baroness Préneron (1792–1862) in 1824.
DescriptionThe matching set of jewelry consists of two matching bracelets, a waist buckle, a brooch, a necklace and a pair of earrings with detachable drops. It is assembled from cast iron openwork links with stylized floral decoration and faux cameos consisting of cast iron figural reliefs backed by cream-colored variegated stone (?) and set in gold beadwork frames.
On view
In Collection(s)