716 - Bracelet and ring with emeralds, sapphires, rubies and diamonds, granulation, 750 yellow gold

Bracelet and ring with emeralds, sapphires, rubies and diamonds, granulation, 750 yellow gold 750 yellow gold, jewellery set of bracelet and lady's ring, both set with emeralds, sapphires and rubies in navette and round shape as well as one brilliant-cut diamond each in bezel setting, the surfaces with scroll motifs and volutes in Byzantine style of twisted filigree wire and applied granules, the edges bordered with cord wire, the coloured stones arranged symmetrically in leaf-shaped arrangements, 1) bracelet of hinged links with box clasp, brilliant-cut diamond 0.025 ct tw/p2, stamped "750" on the clasp, very good condition, L. 16.5 cm, weight 14.5 g, 2) band ring, brilliant-cut diamond 0.020 ct w/p2, very good condition, inner diameter 18 mm, weight 4.6 g Granulation, the soldering of tiny gold granules onto a gold surface, is one of the oldest techniques of the goldsmith's art; the earliest finds come from the royal tombs of Ur circa 2500 BC, via Anatolia and Troy the technique reached the Etruscans, who brought it to mastery from the 8th century BC. After the demise of the Etruscans the process fell into oblivion until archaeological finds in central Italy in the 19th century revived interest and the Roman goldsmith family Castellani attempted to rediscover the technique. Together with filigree of twisted wire, granulation has since shaped the archaeological and Byzantine jewellery style, which was cultivated in the 20th century above all in Italy and Greece. The triad of emerald, sapphire and ruby in bezel setting is a characteristic of these coloured gemstone jewels.