Parure: Buckle

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Parure: Buckle

Manufacturer Royal Ironworks of Berlin or Gleiwitz, Silesia active 1804-1874

Place of OriginGermany

Dateabout 1825

Dimensions(Necklace) L: 17 5/16 in. (44 cm);
(Bracelets) L: 6 11/16 in. (17 cm)

MediumIron, steel, and gold

ClassificationMetalwork

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

2004.91B

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 34, Jewelry Gallery

Collections

Decorative Arts

Published ReferencesSotheby's London, Jewels, 16 December 2004, lot 34. CF. Shirley Bury, Jewellery 1789-1910. The International Era, Volume II, 1991, page 701 (similar examples in V&A). Anne Clifford, Cut steel and Berlin Iron Jewellery, Adams and Dart, 1971.Label TextThe 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.