The Art of Archaeological Revival👑✨

19th-Century decorative art was profoundly influenced by the form and allure of antiquity. A simultaneous comfort in the classical, which was familiar to the Victorian eye, was offset by the newness of emerging discoveries as the industrial revolution allowed for innovation in archaeological technology that unearthed more and more of the ancient world. This drop focuses on three central veins of ancient revival; Etruscan, Egyptian, and Roman. 

First up, a remarkable Crescent Brooch in Solid 15k, featuring gold work techniques like caning and individual boule connection that were thought lost for millenia. Revivalists like the Castellani brothers reintroduced this technique as a part of their ancient-world revival during their long reign over the Italian/European tour market for much of the 19th c. This brooch forms a smiling crescent with curling edges and a wonderful contoured shape. Circa 1875.

Next, a superb Edwardian Egyptomania Scarab Bracelet in Solid 18k. With five colors of enamel, this bracelet shares an extremely rare moment in archeological revival fashion. The Edwardian period, while not known for its Egyptian revival jewels, has passed a rare few examples down to us… and with an ancient steatite scarab, this bracelet serves as a specimen setting for this superb artifact.

Lastly, an Outstanding 15k Greco-Roman Archaeological Revival Collar. This collar is a cut above, featuring hundreds of hand wrought links. It has an entirely hidden clasp, reminding us of the finest original roman examples, even similar to ancient collars on display at the MET. The construction underscores the intersectional aspect of 19th century archeological revival, as the coils pull from medieval chainmail designs.