Georgian vermillion paste riviere

Large and absolutely luscious Georgian paste riviere, circa 1800. In 1734 George-Frederic Stras of Paris developed a high lead content form of paste and the result was a brilliant and hard stone that could take a high polish – the eponymous ‘stras’. Fashionable ladies everywhere embraced these new paste ‘jewels’.  The care and workmanship that went into making the best paste jewellery produced glorious pieces that would have dazzled at the greatest of occasions. The stones were foiled to add extra brilliance and catch and reflect light. This riviere is gilt metal and set with vibrant vermilion hued paste in cut-down, foiled settings. It is 17 inches long. The largest paste front centre measures 1/2 an inch by 1/2 an inch and the smallest next to the clasp measure 1/3 of an inch by 1/3 of an inch. Wonderful play of colour as it catches the light, immaculate.

£4000