Faith in Filigree: The 1790 Rococo Cross

Forged in the turbulent era preceding the French Revolution, this circa 1790 French Rococo cross is a filigree marvel of 18K yellow gold. Its condition is excellent, a silent witness to the era's opulence and its tempestuous history. With its ornate Rococo style it encapsulates the frivolity and the impending sense of change that characterised the period. Bearing an enigmatic master mark, this pendant is not only a piece of jewellery but a fragment of time, reflecting a world on the cusp of transformation.

Antique jewelry object group: cross pendant

Condition: excellent condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: France

Style: Rococo - Rococo (less commonly roccoco) also referred to as "Late Baroque" is an 18th century style which developed as Baroque artists gave up their symmetry and became increasingly more ornate, florid, and playful. Rococo rooms were designed as total works of art with elegant and ornate furniture, small sculptures, ornamental mirrors, and tapestry complementing architecture, reliefs, and wall paintings. It was largely supplanted by the Neoclassic style. In 1835 the Dictionary of the French Academy stated that the word Rococo "usually covers the kind of ornament, style and design associated with Louis XV's reign and the beginning of that of Louis XVI". It includes therefore, all types of art produced around the middle of the 18th century in France.
  -  See also: Rococo or more info on styles

Style specifics: Rococo is a style of decoration that followed, c.1730, the baroque style in France (where it was also called rocaille), the principal features of which are asymmetry of ornament and a repertoire consisting to a considerable extent of rockwork, shells, flowers, foliage, and scrollwork. It was developed in France under Louis XV, 1715-74, and spread to Italy, Germany, and Austria and to a lesser extent to England.

Period: ca. 1790
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Source of inspiration: Christianity

Theme: Cross - The cross is one of the most ancient human symbols, and is used by many religions, such as Christianity. It is frequently a representation of the division of the world into four elements (or cardinal points), or alternately as the union of the concepts of divinity, the vertical line, and the world, the horizontal line. (from: Wikipedia)

Material: 18K yellow gold
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Technique: Filigree (formerly written filigrann or filigrane) is a delicate kind of jewel work made with twisted threads usually of gold and silver or stitching of the same curving motifs. It often suggests lace and French from 1660 to the late 19th century. It should not be confused with ajoure jewellery work; while both have many open areas, filigree involves threads being soldered together to form an object and ajoure involves holes being punched, drilled, or cut through an existing piece of metal. (from: Wikipedia)

Extra information: This particular style of cross is specific for the city of Boulogne, France

Hallmarks: Illegible remains of French hallmark but clearly readable master mark at back in center.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: height 7,14 cm (2,81 inch), width 4,05 cm (1,59 inch)

Weight: 7,50 gram (4,82 dwt)

Reference Nº: 16270-0175

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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