An era of opulence and self indulgence in
beauty, luxury, royalty as exemplified
by Catherine The Great's coronation with
her 75 yard train gown and crown with 2,564
diamonds and pearls!
Historical Influences/Inventions
George I-IV reined as well as William IV
Catherine The Great
Strass invented in 1724 (used in jewelry
making to resemble diamonds)
Napoleonic wars deleted the supuply of preferred
metals
Designs and Decorations:
Openwork gold filigree
tightly wound wirework
Sevigne Bow
Hearts
Garlands
Ribbons
Stars on everything
Repoussee
Hollow gold chains
Closed back mountings
Enameling
Finely handcarved hardstone cameos
Square shaped brooches
Aigrettes
Girandole earrings
Rings with crowns and hearts
Jewell buttons/cuffs
Materials Used
Pinchbeck (copper and zinc)
18K yellow gold
diamonds
emeralds
rubies
topaz
sapphire
garnets
turquoise
pearls
coral
marcasite
cut steel
paste gems
natural gems
foil back glass
Berlin Iron
Important Designers/Manufacturers
Madame De Sevigne - French aristocrat who
designed the "floppy bow" and
introduuced
the "plunging" neckline.
