Deveranne Berlin iron necklace

A Berlin iron necklace attributed to Siméon Pierre Devaranne, circa 1830. Devaranne was the foremost rival to Geiss in the manufacture of iron jewellery. The transformation of cast iron, a dark metal of little value, into a fashionable product was an important Prussian manufacturing success. Devaranne’s foundry became adept at casting delicate, ethereal parts which could be assembled to create jewellery. The necklace is comprised of  Gothic Revival elements interspersed with sections containing Berlin cameos on polished steel backplates, an anchor for hope and maenad heads.  The individual elements would have been cast on a casting tree and then assembled. It is 16 inches long. The central panel measures 2 and 1/2 inches by 2 inches. The smaller panels with cameos on steel backplates measure 1 and 3/4 inches by 1 and 1/3 inches. The necklace sits well on the neck and is very fine quality in immaculate, rust free condition.

£5000