A. GIGANTE, Croatian work, second half of the 19th century - Lot 6

A. GIGANTE, Croatian work, second half of the 19th century Moretti" tassel choker necklace in 585‰ yellow gold entirely composed of turbaned Moorish heads outlined in black and white enamel forming both the chain and the central tassels, some assembled drawing clovers and the central motif drawing a wheel, the whole enhanced with imitation red stones. Ratchet clasp. Length: 44cm. Pendant height: 4.2cm. P. Gross weight: 17.4g. (Small enamel chips, minor bumps and dents, restorations, one tassel missing). In a worn case in the shape of the Maison "A. GIGANTE / FIUME". From the 17th and 18th centuries - and under strong Venetian influence - the Croatian town of Fiume / Rijeka in Dalmatia distinguished itself in the production of jewelry adorned with Moorish heads, also known as "Moretti", motifs that became symbols of identity and belonging to the town. In the second half of the 19th century, the jeweler Agostino Gigante founded GIGANTE & Co. to specialize in the creation of jewelry embellished with the distinctive "Moretto fiumano" motifs. The company played a major role in the international success of this traditional regional jewelry, notably through its participation in the Universal and Industrial Exhibitions from the 1870s to the early 20th century.