Cleopatra Inspired Turquoise and Gold Necklace with Victorian Pietra Dura Clasp

Description

Pietra Dura is an art-historical term for the technique of using small, exquisitely cut and fitted, highly-polished colored stones to … more Pietra Dura is an art-historical term for the technique of using small, exquisitely cut and fitted, highly-polished colored stones to create what amounts to a painting in stone. The stonework is assembled together so precisely that the contact between each section is practically invisible.

This stunning piece was inspired by the film CLEOPATRA. In the 1950's someone took a wonderful antique Pietra Dura clasp and created this fashionable necklace. The pendant has a wonderful floral design depicting colorful flowers and leaves in an black background. The inlaid stones include wonderful green, blue, white, yellow, and red colors to create a piece of art. Surrounding the floral design is three rows of twisted 18k gold rope with turquoise accents on each side. The original gold push clasp makes it possible to detach the tassel section. The 1950's double strand necklace contains turquoise, coral and gold beads with gold Nanette (marquise) drops connected by 14k wire with a 14k clasp.

The definition of Pietra Dura is "a piece of jewelry consisting of polished thin, slices of precious and semi-precious stones (especially agate, lapis lazuli, jasper and chalcedony) that are arranged to form an intricate, multi-colored mosaic, usually against a black marble background; floral and foliage motifs are especially common; developed in 16th-century Florence - the phrase pietra dura means "hard stone" in Italian - it was especially popular in the 18th and 19th centuries."

The necklace is 26" long above the pendant and the tassel and pedant add another 2.75" by 2" wide. Each Pietra Dura piece including frame measures 2" by 1 3/4". less