This elaborate panel necklace is fitted with three blue-and-white jasperware cameos, which were created by Wedgwood in the late 18th Century.
Jasperware is a form of pottery created by Josaiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) who spend many years developing and perfecting his product, which would become world famous. Jasperware is an unglazed, soft form of pottery, which could be created in a wide variety of colours. These material properties made it very suitable to create classical-inspired pieces, especially cameo-like designs, which were created by combining a white top layer with a coloured bottom layer, often in soft blues, pinks and greens.
Each jasperware cameo depicts a classical scene and is encircled by a cut-steel border. The industrialist Matthew Boulton (1728–1809) of Birmingham, who specialized in cut-steel articles, is known to have collaborated with Josiah Wedgwood in combining jasperware cameos and steel settings to make small items like buttons, watch fobs. These medallions likely were created in Boulton's factory around 1780.
The medaillons were integrated into an 18k yellow gold necklace, which design is typical for the French fashions of the early 19th Century. The medaillons are fitted in a gold border and connected through several gold chains, and the clasp is decorated with a little enameled pansy.
General Information
Size: length 44 cm / 17.3 inches.
Weight: 21.70 grams.
Age: The medallions were created in the 1780s, the necklace in the 1820s.
Material: The medaillons are made from jasperware in a cut-steel border and are marked 'Wedgwood' on the back.
The necklace is made from 18k gold and is hallmarked with a French ram's head hallmark indicating it was made in Paris between 1819 and 1838.
Condition: In good antique condition with only minor wear, consistent with age. The medallions exhibit some patina and their features have worn slightly, but they exhibit no cracks or damages. The clasp has some minor enamel damage.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes.