Forte Antiques York

Description

French 19th C Silver/Oxidised Silver and Enamel Chatelaine Clip with two chains, made in Paris, c 1847 by a renowned goldsmith Jules Wiese (1818-1890) for Francois-Desire Froment-Meurice (FDFM) (1802-1855).
The chatelaine clip is decorated to the front with the oval neo-gothic silver and blue/white enamel, depicting an angel playing a viol (viola da gamba). There are two chains attached to the clip: one with a silver pencil holder, the other with a wax seal.
The pencil holder is hallmarked for Villiers & Jackson, Birmingham 1890.
The chain with a three-sided wax seal (with the name “Julia” engraved on) has a link in the form of three miniature neogothic/renaissance heads set in blue-enamelled oval niches, and a double sided, blue-enamelled stylized cross.
On the back of the medallion’s clasp there are 2 small but clear hallmarks: for French silver and for Julies Wiese. Wiese and FDFM frequently re-used/re-purposed similar elements/designs on different jewellery (e.g., necklaces) and larger-scale works.
An identical silver enamel medallion with an angel playing a viol can be seen in the V&A collection (it is in the form of a brooch, with damaged enamel).
Jules Wièse first trained in Berlin and from 1839 worked in Paris for Froment-Meurice and on his own. He won a Medal of Honour at the Universal Exhibition in London in 1862 for his work is work ‘of the highest merit, both in design and execution’.
FDFM (1802-1855) was a famous French goldsmith working in mannerists, neo-gothic, renaissance and Baroque styles, becoming a leading figure in Romantic jewellery. He was made the official goldsmith of the City of Paris, frequently obtaining commissions from European royals’ and French emperor, as well as from famous members of the French Society (e.g. Honore de Balzac, Theophile Gautier). His works are displayed in the Louvre, d’Orsay and V&A museums, being also honoured by a special exhibition in the Musee de la Vie Romantique in Paris in 2003.
Exquisite, museum piece in great condition. (Please note the gothic tip of the medallion is slightly bent, but not broken and the blue enamel on the back of a cross is chipped in the centre, the enamel on the front is perfect).
Weight: just over 43g.



Listed items are usually available to view at the Red House Antiques Centre in York.
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