Skip to content

We're on vacation from 12/22 — 1/4. Shipping will resume on 1/5.

from the archive
GeorgianRed Paste Rivièrewith Cross Pendant
Sold!

The rivière - one of the most popular and enduring styles of necklace to come out of the Georgian period - features an endless line of matched or subtly graduated gems set within inconspicuous collets. The necklaces supposedly take their name from the French Riviera: it is said that the lights along the coastline resembled a dazzling necklace when viewed from the sea. This c. 1800 rivière fis composed of deep red paste stones in crimped collets with closed and foiled backs with a stylized pendant cross. The necklace is fashioned from gilt pinchbeck and measures 15" (the chain at the back was added at some point to extend the length).

thedetails

  • Materials

    Gilt pinchbeck, red paste, 9k chain.

  • Age

    c. 1800

  • Condition

    Very good - chain was added at some point to extend the length of the necklace; the clasp was broken and we have had the tongue groove repaired as well as made a repairs to the loops of the setting which holds the cross.

  • Stone

    15" length, 1 3/4" cross.

Need more photos?

Send us an email to request photos of this piece on a model.

Georgian

Aboutthe

GeorgianEra

17141837

RelatedHistory Lesson

Pinchbeck& Gold Alternatives

The best “costume jewelry” during the Georgian era was pinchbeck, a top-secret formula that looked — and wore — just like gold.