Lot n° 297
Estimation :
500 - 700
EUR
Cast iron necklace of Berlin composed of... - Lot 297 - Tessier & Sarrou et Associés
Cast iron necklace of Berlin composed of 8 medallions decorated with a bust of a man in profile in Antique style. The medallions are connected by three rows of flowers.
Empire period
BERLIN STEEL
It is in 1806 that the cast iron of Berlin appears. It was the Prussian royal foundries that launched this daring and eccentric collection of black iron jewellery.
These royal foundries were built from the second half of the 18th century onwards in order to compete with Swedish iron, which was, at the time, the most coveted in Europe. With the Napoleonic Wars, Prussia was faced with economic destitution. Citizens were asked to participate in the war effort by giving up jewellery and silver and gold tableware. In exchange, they were offered jewellery, but also plates, decorative bowls, candleholders...
Many of Berlin's steel jewels bear the inscription: "I gave gold for iron" or "Exchanged for the fatherland".
In Berlin, more than 160,000 rings were exchanged at that time.
The German centres of art objects made of cast iron were Berlin and Gleiwitz (a foundry founded in 1786). In 1815 the third foundry was established in Sayn, where fine casting was practised from 1817 onwards.
Almost all kinds of jewellery were made of cast iron: tiaras, necklaces, rings, clasps and buttons.
The sobriety of this jewellery has won over the whole world. This is due to many great artists such as Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Simeon Pierre Devaranne, Johann Conrad Geiss, who have made these jewels famous.
Iron is not a precious metal but that does not make it easy to work with.
Iron is first cast in sand and then treated with a varnish made from soot and linseed oil. This varnish will blacken the metal by evaporation and protect it from rust.
Watermarks usually represent floral ornaments and many elements inspired by Gothic architecture. But the most popular and popular element is the famous cameo.
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