Parure: Necklace, Bracelets, Waist Buckle, Brooch, Earrings

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Parure: Necklace, Bracelets, Waist Buckle, Brooch, Earrings

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

Place of OriginGermany

Dateabout 1825

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

MediumIron, steel, and gold

ClassificationJewelry

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

Object number

2004.91A-G

On View

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

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.

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.Published ReferencesSotheby's London, Jewels, 16 December 2004, lot 34. CF. Bury, Shirley, 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.