18ct Gold, Diamond and Mother-of-Pearl Necklace by Franz Huppertz
Large 18ct Yellow and White Gold, Diamond, Mother-of-Pearl and Wood Drop Pendant Necklace by Franz Huppertz
An 18ct yellow gold, mother-of-pearl and diamond pendant necklace, by Franz Huppertz, designed in the Modernist taste. The large pendant is composed of a rounded rectangular mother-of-pearl panel (circa 54 x 43 x 6mm, circa 3g – soft, warm, off-white grey), overlaid with a stylised yellow and white gold and wood motif, embellished with 24 round brilliant-cut diamonds (4 x circa 0.08cts, plus 20 x 0.01 – circa 0.52ct in total combined), and with a yellow gold fold-over frame. The pendant is open at the reverse, revealing the natural, partially raw, mother-of-pearl panel (golden hue) and the terminations of the motif pins. The pendant is suspended from a section of yellow gold, stamped “750” and the Franz Huppertz maker’s mark on the reverse, and supporting a horizontal, inward-curving, baroque pearl (circa 20mm x 7.5mm x 4mm – warm, off-white tone). This section is hung between two sections of chain, each circa 205mm, composed of alternating bars, belcher-style chains, and 6mm round pearls (6 in total, all regular; warm, cream in tone; and with no noticeable blemishes). The chain has a 9ct yellow gold bolt-ring closure stamped “375”. The pendant and chain have been electronically scanned and are confirmed as 18ct gold.
Franz Huppertz was born in Eshweiler, Germany, and worked as an internationally renowned, award-winning jeweller in Cape Town, South Africa – with a studio, Franz Huppertz Jewellers at the Stuttafords Town Square in Adderley Street, followed by a second studio in Cavendish Close in Claremont – until his death in 1997. For a detailed biography see: South African Goldsmiths Research Project: South African precious metal design between 1960 and 1980 (sagoldsmiths.blogspot.com)
Weight 39.8g
Age Circa 1970
Dimensions 42.5cm in length;
pendant disc circa 60mm x 45mm x 10mm
Origin South Africa
Condition Excellent
Stock Code AJ931
