Masriera and Sons Dressing, ca. 1880-1900.

MASRIERA E HIJOS dressing in 18k yellow gold with enamels and diamonds, rose cut. Spain, ca. 1880-1900.
Set of four pieces, made in 18k yellow gold, decorated with enamels and diamonds, consisting of pendentif brooch with chain, brooch with ribbon bar, pair of earrings and ring, preserved in its original case of the firm.
The pieces present an elaborate geometric and architectural ornamentation, with stepped structures, polygonal frames and a careful symmetry, characteristic of the historicist language developed by Masriera e Hijos in its final stage. The diamonds, set in closed mounts, add sparkle and depth, while the enamels reinforce the chromatic contrast and the visual richness of the whole.

The pendentif brooch, the main piece of the dressing, stands out for its constructive complexity and the incorporation of mobile pendant elements, designed to be worn both as a brooch and as a pendant by means of its original chain. The brooch with a strong ornamental presence, responds to the nineteenth-century fashion of textile ornaments. The stylized dangling earrings and the matching ring complete the ensemble, maintaining full formal and technical coherence.

With its original case, lined in velvet and purple silk, marked "Fábrica de Joyería de Masriera e Hijos", Vigatans 4, Barcelona, an element of great historical interest and guarantee of provenance.

Remarkable example of Catalan jewelry from the last third of the 19th century, representative of the period prior to full modernism, highly appreciated by collectors for the quality of execution, the preservation of the complete set and the presence of its original case.

Masriera e Hijos is one of the fundamental houses of 19th century Catalan jewelry. Active in Barcelona during the last third of the century, the firm stood out for the quality of its goldsmithing, the mastery of enamel and a historicist aesthetic of great technical and ornamental richness. Its creations, conceived for a demanding clientele, are today highly appreciated pieces by collectors for their historical value, their careful craftsmanship and their role as a direct antecedent to the later development of modernist jewelry in Catalonia.

Measurements: 6.8 x 3.7 cm (brooch pendentif); 4.2 x 5.7 cm (brooch clasp); 5.1 x 1.8 cm (earrings); 19 mm inner diameter and 15 mm wide frontis (ring).

A similar set is catalogued in "Els Masriera. Un segle de joieria i orfebrería", p. 99, ref. 16.