History is an important part of who and what we are in the present. As beautiful and innovative modern jewelry can be, antique and historical jewelry is unique and carries a lot of history behind, as you will see in the following pages.
In this issue we continue with presenting a few absolutely gorgeous pieces of precious jewelry from the beginning of the 20th century.
The House of Romanov was the second and last imperial dynasty to rule over Russia, reigning from 1613 until the 1917 overthrow of the monarchy during the February Revolution.
The February Revolution of 1917 resulted in abdication of Nicholas II in favor of his brother Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich. The latter declined to accept the crown, terminating the Romanov dynasty’s rule over Russia.
After the February Revolution, Nicholas II and his family were placed under house arrest in the Alexander Palace. Several members of the Imperial Family, including Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich of Russia, managed to establish good relations with the interim government and eventually fled the country during the October Revolution.
On July 17, 1918, Bolshevik authorities acting on Yakov Sverdlov’s orders in Moscow and led locally by Filip Goloschekin and Yakov Yurovsky, shot Nicholas II, his immediate family, and four servants in the cellar of the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
The family was told that they were to be photographed to prove to the people that they were still alive.
The family members were arranged appropriately and left alone for several minutes, the gunmen then walked in and started shooting.
There have been many theories regarding the possible survival of members of Nicholas II’s family. However, recent research shows that all of the Romanovs, including Tsarevich Alexei and Grand Duchess Anastasia who had been thought to have escaped the Bolshevik attack, were killed.
On August 28, 2009, a Swedish public news outlet reported that Romanov family jewelry, found in 2008 in the archives of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, was returned. The jewelry was allegedly turned over to the Swedish embassy in St. Petersburg in November 1918 by Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin to keep it safe. The jewelry’s worth was estimated to 20 million SEK (about 2.6 million US dollars).
A very large Art Nouveau Russian rose gold, pale green demantoid garnet and synthetic ruby brooch / pendant. Made in Moscow between 1908 and 1917.
Right: Art Nouveau pendant, handcrafted in 14K yellow gold and set with 14 Russian Uralian green demantoids, 6 blue sapphires, 4 opals, 44 rose-cut diamonds, and 5 diamonds in various cuts. The frame and loop are marked with later Russian (St Petersburg) control stamps from the 1930s for 583 gold standard.
Left: An Art Nouveau antique Russian rose gold and demantoid garnet floral pendant. Made in Moscow between 1908 and 1917. Marked with 56 zolotnik old Russian gold standard and maker’s initials.
An Elegant Vintage Russian Art Deco Aquamarine Pendant Necklace made in Moscow between 1908 and 1917. Aquamarines are set in silver over 56 zolotniks gold.
Left: Vintage Russian Imperial Era Openwork Diamond Pendant in Russian Revival Style of the 1910s (Neo-Russian Moderne). Moscow, circa 1915.
Right: An Impressive Antique Russian Siberian Amethyst and Demantoid Garnet Rose Gold Pendant Necklace made in Moscow between 1908 and 1917. Three deep velvet purple Siberian amethysts, sixteen Ural demantoids, 56 zolotniks rose and yellow gold.
A PETER CARL FABERGE Russian gold bangle bracelet influenced by French Louis XV style of the mid 18th century made in St. Petersburg between 1899 and 1903 by Faberge’s principal jeweler August Holmstrom. The central shaped plaque is applied with a diamond set flower, on a dark royal blue guilloche enamel background. The enamel plaque is flanked by diamond set gold nets.
See more on RomanovRussia.comhttp://romanovrussia.com/
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