MASRIERA Art Nouveau Plique à Jour Enamel Ring In 18Kt Gold With VS Diamonds
An art nouveau enameled ring designed by Masriera.
This is a beautiful colorful ring created in Barcelona Spain by the jewelry designer Gloria Masriera for Masriera. This beautiful ring has been crafted with art nouveau revival patterns in solid rich yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. The ring has been designed with organic flowers patterns and embellished with application of translucent multicolor enamels with the plique a jour technique.
Diamond: Mount in a bezel and pave settings, with 21 calibrated round brilliant cut diamonds, 0.25 carats, white colorless E color, VS-1 clarity.
Weight: 8.45 Grams, (5.42 Dwt).
Size: 7 and may be sized up or down on special request.
Measurements: 21 mm by 17 mm (0.87 x 0.59 Inches) and raise 3 mm over the finger.
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the mark for the assay and warranty of the .750/.999 gold, the edition number and signed as follows, "M. 18kt 11/37".
Masriera
This is the iconic brand of Art Nouveau jewelry. The roots of this brand date back to the 19th century, when Luís Masriera, born into a family of artists, painters, enamellers and jewelers firmly linked to the cultural and artistic life of Barcelona, decided to open his first workshop in the city to explore new creative channels of expression of the Art Nouveau. Carefully crafted, delicate and exquisite jewelry that embodies the world of fantasy and colour of this artistic movement. In 1839, Josep Masriera I Vidal, along with his brother Francesco, completed his apprenticeship as a silversmith. Together, they opened their own workshop in Barcelona. The following year, the brothers began selling wholesale jewelry. Subsequently, over the next six decades, the Masriera family built a solid reputation for their jewelry. Joseph and his wife, Eulàlia Manovens i Roldós, had five children. All of their children helped out in the workshop. For six decades, the brothers produced award-winning jewels which danced on the edge between traditional and modern. They expanded their techniques to include goldsmithing and enameling.
Literature: Pila Velez, Masriera Jewellery, 200 Years of History. Ambit Barcelona 1999, for similar pieces illustrated.
Plique à jour
Is a French term, meaning "letting in daylight". Is a very difficult vitreous enameling technique where the enamel is applied in cells, similar to cloisonné, but with no backing in the final product, so light can shine through the transparent or translucent enamel. It is in effect a miniature version of stained-glass and is considered very challenging technically: high time consumption (up to 4 months per item), with a high failure rate. The technique is similar to that of cloisonné, but using a temporary backing that after firing is dissolved by acid or rubbed away. A different technique relies solely on surface tension, for smaller areas. In Japan the technique is known as shotai-jippo (shotai shippo), and is found from the 19th century on.
Collateral: This Masriera ring is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this Masriera ring is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. The 21 diamonds and the enamel are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: R030325XOEN/.2031
