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FALIZE ‘Holbeinesque’ pendant and chain
Oval sapphire, old-c…
See original version (French)
12
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FALIZE ‘Holbeinesque’ pendant and chain
Oval sapphire, old-c…
See original version (French)
Estimate €6,000 - €8,000
Voluntary lot
Description
FALIZE
‘Holbeinesque’ pendant and chain
Oval sapphire, old-cut diamonds, pearls and enamel
18k gold (750)
Pendant dimensions: approx. 6 x 4.5 cm - Length: approx. 47.5 cm
Weight: 64.7 g
Sapphire accompanied by an LFG report certifying:
Dimensions: approx. 10.7 x 9.1 x 6.2 mm
Origin: Ceylon
No thermal treatment observed
A sapphire, diamond, pearl, enamel and gold Holbein-style necklace, by L. Falize, report
Bibliography:
Purcell, Katherine. Falize - A dynasty of jewellers. London: Thames and Hudson, 1999, p.239
Description:
A dynasty of jewellers spanning three generations, the Falize house built its reputation on richly decorated, enamelled jewellery inspired by foreign cultures (Japan, Egypt, Persia, India…) or historical periods (the Middle Ages and the Renaissance). The firm reached its zenith under the direction of Lucien Falize (1839–1897), whose dazzling jewellery is worthy of comparison with pieces found in museums and private collections. ”
Although Lucien Falize created his first Neo-Renaissance piece in 1877 based on a design by Hans Collaert (1545–1580), it is above all the so-called “Holbein-style” pieces, modelled on Hans Holbein (1497–1543), that are most prized. Holbein, a great Renaissance painter, was also a jewellery enthusiast and designer. Consequently, his drawings, which bear witness to the Renaissance style and are held at the British Museum, have been compiled by the curators into a volume for the benefit of students, jewellers and goldsmiths seeking inspiration. Lucien Falize has brilliantly brought these designs to life, both in their transformation from drawing to three-dimensional object and in the quality of their execution. Our necklace, consisting of a pendant and a chain, is featured both in Katherine Purcell’s *Falize – A Dynasty of Jewellers* (p. 239) and in this collection of Holbein’s jewellery. Lucien Falize’s preparatory watercolour is interesting in that it shows the designer’s initial choice to suspend the pendant from a silk thread alternating between gold and enamel, before changing his mind in favour of a chain made entirely of gold and enamel—the final version of the piece, which is the one we have here.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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