Spanish school, 17th century

Spanish school, XVII century
Devotional necklace
Gilded silver and hard stones: amethyst, coral, tourmaline (watermelon), rock crystal and peridot.
Measurements: 53 cm (length); 5,5 cm (width of the medallion).

Singular devotional necklace of Spanish production of the XVII century, that combines with remarkable balance the ornamental value and the symbolic load typical of the jewels of religious and representative character of the epoch. The piece is articulated by a succession of openwork links in gilded silver, richly worked, alternating with hard stones of bright colors, generating a dynamic and attractive visual rhythm.

The presence of amethysts, carnelians, tourmalines, rock crystal and peridot is not only an aesthetic criterion, but refers to a symbolic and protective tradition widely spread in baroque jewelry, where each gem was the bearer of spiritual and apotropaic meanings.

The set culminates in an outstanding central medallion, presided over by a generously sized amethyst, which acts as a compositional focus and gives the piece a marked elegance. Its design, with a clear scenographic vocation, responds to Baroque tastes, where material richness and formal expressiveness are placed at the service of social representation and private devotion.

Due to its quality of execution, variety and richness of materials, as well as its excellent state of preservation and aesthetic appeal, this necklace is one of the most interesting pieces of Spanish historical jewelry, and is especially appreciated by collectors of antique jewelry and sumptuary art.