ETRUSCAN REVIVAL 1880 Italian Neapolitan Root-Coral Pendant In 18Kt Yellow Gold
An Etruscan revival pendant with Neapolitan coral.
This is a beautiful antique pendant with vivid red coral created in Naples Italy during the Victorian and the Etruscan revival periods, around the 1870 and 1880. The mounting has been masterfully crafted with ancient motifs in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with patinated finish. This frame is holding a polished root of natural vivid red coral and is fitted on top with a movable ring to wear in a chain or a charms bracelet.
Neapolitan Mediterranean Coral
This kind of coral started to be fished extensively and worked in Torre del Greco, in the year 1400, at the time when Livorno held the monopoly on the raw coral. Besides its apotropaic virtues, people started to associate coral to the marvelous capacity of the material to be processed and to the great skills of the artisans, comparable to that of an alchemist or demiurge. Thanks to the Bourbons, in 1715 the town of Torre del Greco became one of the most important centers in the processing and carving of coral. The king supported the development of craftsmanship by reducing the tax on imported raw coral, though he couldn’t start a factory in the town because of the boom of the French Revolution and of the eruption of Vesuvius in 1794. Ferdinando IV of Bourbon founded the first factory for the manufacturing of coral in Torre del Greco. At the time, the production of sacred objects was replaced by the creation of ornaments and everyday objects, like combs, clips and paper knives to satisfy the requests of emerging bourgeoisie. Fishermen of Torre del Greco risked going up to the African coasts, winning over other competitor towns and thus turning Torre del Greco into the main center in Italy for coral processing. Giovanni Della Rocca, member of Parliament, obtained a decree in 1876 which established the School of Coral engraving and Industrial artistic design in Torre del Greco. The town thus became one of the world leading centers in the processing of coral and shells, devoted to the education and training of young people in the art of engraving. Indeed, the coral School in Naples is still the leader in the most modern methods of processing cameos and coral, above all in the mentioned area of Torre del Greco.
Country: Roma, Naples, Italy.
Period: Etruscan Revival: 1840-1890.
Coral: Mount in a bezel setting, with 1 free-form root of natural vivid red coral, with an estimate weight of about 20 carats.
Weight: 7.4 Grams, (4.75 Dwt).
Measurements: 60 mm by 25 mm by 11 mm (2.36 x 0.98 by 0.44 Inches).
Hallmarks: Unmarked but electronically tested for the assay of the 18 karats yellow gold, with results as follows, .780/.999 Au.
Collateral: This Etruscan revival pendant is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Our condition report: Please take special attention to all pictures provided, since images prevail over our extensive and precise descriptions. The pieces we offer in this website are used and are from the aftermarket; in extremely decent shape, in usable grade and collectible condition. If you are a perfectionist buyer or collector, you need to tolerate hairlines and light traces of use and wear.
Condition: The overall condition of this Etruscan revival pendant is excellent. Beside the little normal wear there is no damage to the gold. The coral is secured in the setting. This pendant was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P111025ENNH/.1778
