Posted 11 years ago
Agram.m
(762 items)
Besides my passion for Antique Micro Mosaic jewelry I am very excited about Berlin Iron jewelry. My latest acquisition is a Berlin Iron jewelry box. Made probably Germany or France, late 18th, early 19th century of cast iron and painted black. It is magnetic, looks like lace and it is a beautiful jewel. Measurement: 7.5 x 6 x 3.5 cm.
I have the pictures a pendant Iron Berlin done to see how beautiful this jewelry and objects of "just" were actually cast.
If you want to know more about Berlin Iron (Fer de Berlin) jewelry and objects look at this article!
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/when-germans-gave-up-their-gold-jewelry-to-battle-napoleon/
I am interested in your opinion!
very detailed and surprised that its German...looks French or north Italian..awesome that you have the key but its very small...I imagine it cost a bomb.
Is it glass inside to prevent anything falling through or is it so small it just won't.?..I've never seen anything like it, the work is beautifully detailed. I just don't know enough technically about German filigree makers although I do have a German clock with gorgeous gold filigree. I'm thinking as I write...lol...its a stunner :)
AnneLanders, hi, thanks for your nice comments and loving. I've been able to acquire for a very small price. I suppose that the seller was not really aware of the value and therefore more interesting for me. No, there is no glass on the inside as it is too small (see dimensions in the description. If you are really interested in Iron Berlin look at the article written by the editor of Collector Weekly and myself on this subject. Link also in the description you can view my other cast iron jewelry via the link.: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/user/Agram.m/iron-berlin-fer-de-berlin-silesian-jew
A lot of f and thanks again for your comments.
nutsabotas6 and aghcollect thank you both for your interest and loving.
Kerry10456 thanks for your attention and loving.
Agram.m, You're very welcome, very interesting design
Kerry10456 thank you again.
vetraio50 thanks for all your loyalty in loving so much of my pieces.
Amber as always thanks for loving and interest.
Blunderbuss2 thanks for loving and interes.
Amazing! It is so tiny!
Perhaps the black paint was the reason of low price... If it was mine, I would take it off chemically, then oil the iron to protect.
Kyratango thank you for your compliments and comment. But your advice to take off the black lacquer I will surely not follow! It is one of the hallmarks of Berlin Iron pieces that it was lacquered black (1800s - beginning 19s) to counter rusting of the cast iron with special lacquer made for that purpose (ie made ??with linseed)
In the pictures you can see that the box rather excels. I've actually rubbed with mineral oil to prevent even now again rusting.
If you want to know more about this special branch of antique jewelry please see this Collectorsweekly article: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/when-germans-gave-up-their-gold-jewelry-to-battle-napoleon/
OOps, sorry, didn't knew it was original to some Berlin Iron pieces!
I thought this would reveal more sharp design, as black paint was often applied afterward on old iron tools or other items and ruin their apparence!
Already appreciate your highly documented article :-)
I welcome your comments and compliment too of course! We can learn a lot from each other. I am learning from you and the other collectors also every day. Glistening oil not let see the pattern of the box as well as the are, so I understand your point of view.
Newtimes thanks for loving, good weekend!
fortheloveofdog and Elisabethan thank you both for loving.
petey and SEAN68 thank you both for loving and interest.
This box is terrific! Never seen one before. I love Berlin Iron and have a number of pieces. A very good reference source covering the subject quite thoroughly is "Cast Iron from Central Europe, 1800-1850" by Elisabeth Schmuttermeier.
Your pendant is a design by Johann Conrad Geiss.
Blueboi, to begin with, thank you very much for your compliment. I think it's great someone finally encountering here that Berlin Iron cares.
Although I am very passionate still a layman in the field of antique jewelry. My current knowledge of all the jewelry I usually get from books and from other collectors. What I know of Berlin Iron I have known from the book: Cut Steel and Iron Berlin Jewelleryby Ann Clifford. But I will follow your advice and also purchase the said book. I can only be wiser.
Pity there on that beautiful old jewelry besides search very good always a reasonable and usually pretty high price tag even though I can not complain. But the jewelry shown you are not only of great ancient beauty but also very costly.
Would you, as a connoisseur, please take a look at my other Berlin Iron jewelry and want to give your opinion about it? You would do me a really big favor. I eagerly await the publication of your other jewelry here on CW. You can see my little Berlin Iron collection via the link:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/user/Agram.m/berlin-iron-jewelry-silesian-wire-work
Awaiting your message and once again I am very happy with your comments thanks!
Berlin Iron is wonderful and its delicacy and workmanship cannot be appreciated until you hold it in your hands! And yes, because of its rarity, it gets ever more expensive! Both it and Silesian Wirework are subject to rust -- I keep mine under desiccant packs so no moisture can get to it.
Your collection is lovely and it looks like most of it is in excellent condition!
I also have a collection which can be found at: http://imageevent.com/bluboi/ironandwirework
I have recently bought several more Berlin Iron pieces, including rings, a necklace and a couple of bracelets. I plan to load more pictures in a few days.
Blueboi, now I see your last comment. Thank you for that. I've looked at your jewelry which I visited a lot of times during time. Now I understand your beautiful collection!
Blueboi, please you would do me a great favoriet to take a look at my latent acquisation. You will vind that on this link:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/218904-silesian-iron-wire-work-porcelain-cut-st