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Dunn Pearl Necklace
Specimen | Catalog Number | Locality | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Dunn Pearl Necklace | NMNH G6757 | Unknown |
This beautiful necklace has five rows of graduated natural pearls with a magnificent diamond, pearl, and platinum clasp, made by Cartier, Inc., in the 1920s. There are 339 natural pearls that range in size from 3.3mm to 7.8mm that are a cream color and well matched. The platinum clasp is a beautiful example of the Art Deco era and has six diamond chains on each side that attach to the stands of pearls. There are 428 old mine cut diamonds in the clasp and chains combined that have a total weight of approximately 16ct. The Art Deco Period (1920-1935) produced dazzling jewelry that was dramatically different from the jewelry of the earlier periods, shifting from soft colors and flowing sinuous lines of the Art Nouveau and Edwardian eras to bolder, brighter colors and straight lines. New geometric cuts for gems complimented the symmetry and streamlined look of Art Deco jewelry. The Dunn Pearl Necklace is an elegant example of the superb style and craftsmanship of Cartier, Inc. Mrs. Arthur Wallace Dunn donated the necklace to the Smithsonian in 1977, and it is a “treasure from the vault” at the National Museum of Natural History.