Antique Neiger Brothers Necklace c 1900 Austro Hungarian Renaissance Revival Fratelli Peruzzi Style Sodalite Glass Pendant

This is a sumptuous Edwardian Era Austro-Hungarian necklace (circa 1900-09) whose exquisite design and quality marks it out as a likely early Neiger Brothers piece. Neiger Brothers jewels were not signed, but stand out through their brilliantly imaginative Revival designs and quality of execution. This necklace references the Renaissance Revival style made famous by the Florence jewellers Fratelli Peruzzi, but the materials point to a Czech (Bohemian) origin. It is made of silver plated brass (with the silver plate perfectly preserved, attesting to its high quality) accented with diamond paste crystals, glass seed pearls and blue sodalite Czech (Bohemian) art glass which looks so so realistic it is hard to distinguish from the natural gem. The delicate filigree and glass seed pearls have stood the test of time wonderfully well, remaining free of any dents or marks. The silver plate has a darkened antique look which highlights the diamante crystals' sparkle.

Norbert and Max Neiger began making Jewellery in 1905 in their parents' basement, later opening a factory in the town of Gablonz, Czechoslovakia. In the early XXth century Gablonz, already a world-famous centre of art glass and crystal manufacture, developed a thriving jewellery industry known for creating exquisitely artistic pieces of 'Revival' jewellery. The Neiger brothers founded their business around 1905, and reached the pinnacle of their fame in the 1920s and 30s (they tragically died at Auschwitz during WWII). This Renaissance Revival necklace would have to be a very early design, as their later, better known pieces, drew inspiration from Ancient Egyptian and Chinese art.

The handsome filigree pendant measures 2.5 x 2 inches (6.3 x 5 cm) and is suspended from its original matching 20 inch fancy floral link chain. The fastening is a secure spring ring clasp, original to the necklace and in excellent condition.

Period & Style: early XXth century, Edwardian, circa 1900-09
Dimensions: Chain 20 inches (50 cm), Pendant 2.5 x 2 inches (6.3 x 5 cm)
Materials: silver plated metal, glass pearls, sodalite art glass, diamante
Fastenings: spring ring clasp
Hallmarks: none
Condition: great - well preserved and in good working order.

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