Our Berlin iron gothic revival earrings were made in the early part of the nineteenth century and are a wonderful example of historic jewelry.
Berlin Iron was first made between 1806-1812, around the time of the Napoleonic Wars, when wealthy Germans were asked to surrender their gold and precious gems for the war effort, in exchange for the delicate and beautifully crafted Berlin iron jewelry. Some of the larger pieces even bore the inscription "Gold gab Ich fur eisen"- "Gold I gave for iron". After Napolean absconded with the casting molds on his march on Berlin, France began to make Berlin Iron too.
The process of making Berlin iron began with molding wax which was pressed into impressions, into which the molten iron was poured. The pieces were then hand finished with black lacquer. The strongest visual effect was created when the black jewelry was worn against pale skin. Not surprisingly, Berlin Iron was frequently worn as mourning jewelry as well.
After 1815, the neo-classical designs of earlier Berlin ironwork...
Category
1830s British Antique Gothic Revival Dangle Earrings