Details
A FER DE BERLIN NECKLACE
In Gothic revival style, with stylised trefoil and acanthus motifs, circa 1840, 52.0 cm long
In Gothic revival style, with stylised trefoil and acanthus motifs, circa 1840, 52.0 cm long
Special notice
Christie's charge a premium to the buyer on the final bid price of each lot sold at the following rates: 23.8% of the final bid price of each lot sold up to and including €150,000 and 14.28% of any amount in excess of €150,000. Buyers' premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.
Further details
Fer de Berlin (black cast iron) was popular throughout the Napoleontic wars when wealthy Prussians donated Jewellery to finance the war and wore ironwork instead. Pieces bore such inscriptions as "Gold gab ich fur Eisen" (I gave gold for iron) or had a portrait at the reverse of Frederick William III (1770-1840) of Prussia. The Royal Berlin Factory which produced these pieces was founded in 1804 and when Napoleon invaded Berlin in 1806 he confiscated the moulds for Jewellery and brought them to Paris. There pieces were produced until the mid-1830's. Ironwork was cast in sand, then lacquered black to prevent rusting. The pieces are often designed like delicate openwork patterns like the two necklaces offered in this sale which are in a remarkably good state.