Designs for chains in the style of Second Empire jewelry
Lithograph with designs for nineteenth-century jewels in the style of the French Second Empire (1852-1870), which was characterized by extravagant motifs with complex compositions of naturalistic jewelry, composed of clearly recognizable foliage, flowers and fruit, and often presenting frames or roundels with female figures dressed with draped, neoclassical clothes. In many cases, the colors of gemstones used in the creation of the jewels were meant to match those in nature; cabochon gems were popular elements to create complexity in curving and figurative designs, often with symbolic meanings. The plate contains 12 designs for chains that would have been used in Second Empire necklaces, bracelets, and chatelaine brooches. Some are made with round and oval chain links, some including geometrical motifs, such as hexagons, circles, spheres and cylinders, some also with scrolling motifs, and some featuring green inserts, possibly to represent enamel, and stones, possibly gems or glass stones.
Artwork Details
- Title: Designs for chains in the style of Second Empire jewelry
- Artist: A. Coffineau (French, 19th century)
- Lithographer: Barousse Imprimeur (French, Paris 1856–1890 Paris)
- Published in: Leipzig
- Date: ca. 1850–70
- Medium: Lithograph
- Dimensions: Sheet: 12 1/8 × 9 1/4 in. (30.8 × 23.5 cm)
- Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Object Number: Ref.Ornament.14
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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