A 19th century Berlin ironwork suite, by Geiss, circa 1830

Comprising: a necklace, two bracelets and a pair of pendent earrings, the necklace composed of articulated openwork links of foliate and gothic tracery design, suspending a similarly designed Gothic cross pendant with a polished steel disc centre, the bracelets and earrings en suite, necklace and bracelets signed Geiss A Berlin, lengths: necklace 56.5cm., pendant 9.6cm., bracelets 18.5cm. each, earring 6.5cm., fitted case. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000

Footnote: Johann Conrad Geiss, (1771-1846) was one of the great exponents of “Berlin Iron” jewellery, the manufacture of which required tremendous technical skill. During the Prussian Wars of Liberation (1913-15), women famously supported the war effort by sacrificing their precious jewels for delicate and ornate ironwork pieces in order to help finance the war against Napoleon. Ironwork jewellery continued to be fashionable long afterwards and was manufactured in Paris from 1827, as well as in several areas of Germany and Austria. By the 1930s it was available at Garrard in London. Ironwork was displayed at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, at which Geiss exhibited.

Bonhams. Jewellery, 14 Jan 2009. Knightsbridge. Copyright © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved. www.bonhams.com