Ennead : Antique Etruscan Revival Locket in 22ct Gold with Mediterranean Coral

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Ennead is a group of nine. Nine is a sacred number and the symbol of wisdom and good leadership. The nine hand carved Mediterranean coral beads in luscious antique locket lent me the inspiration for the name. The clever arrangement of the nine plump baubles in a diamond shape seemed very deliberate. But every little bit of this locket appears to have been made with an astounding amount of attention to detail.

Made during the mid-Victorian Era, 1860-1880, and most likely in Italy, this Etruscan styled locket has all the hallmarks of fine Italian jewellery from this period: made in 22ct gold, an innovative use of negative spaces, the technique of granulation, fine rope borders, and most importantly of all: coral. The very best coral was found on the coast of the Mediterranean sea, and Italian jewellers were famed for their use of it. Unfortunately the coral was over-collected leading to the current situation whereby it is a protected resource. Today most of the coral reefs all over the world are in very poor health due to rising sea temperatures and ocean pollution. The very best quality coral is now something only found in antique jewellery.

Manufacture: 
This oval shaped locket is handmade in 22ct yellow gold. It is not hallmarked, but the metal has been verified by XRF test. The front of the locket is covered in intricate gold work in the style we call Etruscan Revival – jewels inspired by the relics of the Etruscans found in archeological excavations during the Georgian and Victorian eras.

The locket has a series of nine concave depressions arranged in a diamond, each of which is set with a natural coral bead, threaded into the locket with a gold pin. Covering the surface of the locket is extra fine ropework with granulated baubles at each of the ropework intersections. The perimiter of the locket is framed with a double rope border, one very fine.

To the reverse is an glazed section which can be opened to insert a photograph or memento.

The locket measures 25.8mm (not including the round bail) x 18.9mm x 6.64mm.
Weighs 5 grams.

Condition: 
In excellent antique condition, without dents or scratches. All of the coral beads are well matched and in lovely condition. There is some “history dust” trapped in some of the indentations behind the coral beads. Ready for immediate wear.

**Please note the chain is not included and is displayed for styling purposes only.

Description

This oval shaped locket is handmade in 22ct yellow gold. It is not hallmarked, but the metal has been verified by XRF test. The front of the locket is covered in intricate gold work in the style we call Etruscan Revival – jewels inspired by the relics of the Etruscans found in archeological excavations during the Georgian and Victorian eras.

The locket has a series of nine concave depressions arranged in a diamond, each of which is set with a natural coral bead, threaded into the locket with a gold pin. Covering the surface of the locket is extra fine ropework with granulated baubles at each of the ropework intersections. The perimiter of the locket is framed with a double rope border, one very fine.

To the reverse is an glazed section which can be opened to insert a photograph or memento.

The locket measures 25.8mm (not including the round bail) x 18.9mm x 6.64mm.
Weighs 5 grams.

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