-Roman Revival 1850 Papal States Pendant In 19Kt Yellow Gold Swan In Micro Mosaic

Roman revival grand tour pendant with Swan.

Beautiful historical piece created during the Victorian Grand Tour era, at the Papal States in Rome Italy back in the 1850. This unusual pendant was carefully crafted with Roman and Etruscan revival patterns in solid rich yellow gold of 19 karats and embellished in the obverse with an intricate micro-mosaic of a Loving Swan. Have three dangling elements decorated in the same technique with flowers and fitted at the reverse with a framed round thin glass to safe and keep secure some mementos or the portrait picture of the loved one.

The gold parts in the piece are decorated with a patterns of twisted wires and fitted on top with a movable oval bail to wear in a chain or a necklace. The micro mosaic is very well executed, of Italian origin and made in Rome. Represent a white Swan in a lake, made up with almost 500 hundred tiny pieces, carved from natural hardstones, such; blue lapis lazuli, red coral, black onyx, green malachite, black onyx and cream nacre. 

The Swan, symbol of love

Swans are present in many European fairy tales, symbolizing chastity (partly because of their white plumage), artistry, and beauty. On a related note, swans are associated with fidelity, loyalty in marriage, and monogamy, because they mate for life. In Greek art, beginning at least in the Archaic period, Aphrodite was sometimes depicted with a swan, a symbol of good health, music, divination, and grace. In Roman times, Latin poets, such as Ovid and Horace, also referred to the goddess in her chariot being drawn through the air by swans.

Weight: 14.90 Grams, (9.55 Dwt).

Measurements: 67 mm by 35 mm by 12 mm (2.63 x 1.38 x 0.47 Inches).

Hallmarks: Stamped with the old Papal States assay marks for the 22kt gold. One time with the Crossed Keys and a Cardinal Capello inside a triangle and one time with the maker's lozenge cartouche with the number 24 for the Roman identification goldsmith.

History of the Hallmark

The first statutes of the guild of Roman goldsmiths date back to 1358, in which was stated the rule of the warranty punch. The University of Goldsmiths was founded in 1508 and the statutes approved the following year introduced the use of the master's mark in addition to the previous guarantee mark. In 1738, with the reform of the Statutes of Goldsmiths, the guild acquired the name of "Nobil Collegio degli Orefici ed Argentieri di Roma" (Noble College of Goldsmiths and silversmiths of Rome). The warranty mark used prior to the French invasion was a series of "crossed keys of St. Peter under a liturgical umbrella" enclosed into shields, ovals or other geometric shapes.

Note: It was in 1870, the conquest of Rome marked the end of Stato Pontificio (Papal State). Italy attained its unity along with a unique system of hallmarking, introduced in the Regno D'Italia (Kingdom of Italy).

History Behind This Piece

Between the 1820 and 1890, ancient cities were discovered, such as Troy, Pompeii and Alexandria. Archaeological excavations in Egypt, Greece and Rome, discovered artistic pieces of these ancient cultures. These fabulous discoveries, stimulated cultural trips to these countries, popularly called "grand tour". Being the case that the enthusiast visitors bring back small objects, like souvenirs to be assembled into jewelry. The starting point of these trips were in the cities of Rome and Venice. this is why the craftsmen of these cities created small and interesting objects with ancient characteristics like this brooch.

Revival jewelry

The styles from the renaissance and Middle Ages, begun in the 1850’s, The Renaissance and Egyptian revivals were joined by a classical revival of Greek and Etruscan styles to conform a new aesthetic. As a result of the construction work on the Suez Canal in the mid-1860’s and the Egyptian excavations of Auguste Mariette and the resultant exhibit of Egyptian treasures at the exposition Universelle in 1867, a fascination for all things Egyptian and ancient cultures developed.

Note: Many nineteenth-century jewelers, were inspired to create their own versions of these ancient pieces, hence “Etruscan Revival”, the most famous being the House of Castellani. Characteristics of Etruscan style jewelry include use of high karat gold and semi-precious stones like lapis, malachite and agates, and most distinguishingly, the use of intricate filigree and granulation.

Collateral: This pendant is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.

Condition: The overall condition of this pendant is very good. Beside the little normal wear, there is no problem to any parts. The little mosaic pieces are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: P092923MCNM/.3581