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Necklace
Necklace

Necklace

Marcus & Co. (American, 1892–1941)
1900
Medium/TechniqueGold, opal, diamond (1.65 carats), demantoid garnet (1.5 carats), enamel
DimensionsDiameter: 21.6 cm (8 1/2 in.)
Credit LineGift of Barbara L. and Theodore B. Alfond
Accession number2020.556
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment
Collections
Description
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Marcus & Co. rivaled Tiffany & Co. as a leading American retailer of fine jewelry. Showcasing jewelry with a wide range of styles and influences, the firm’s work demonstrates the diverse tastes of American consumers. This necklace, made around 1900, is a strong example of the eclecticism seen in the jewelry retailed by Marcus & Co. Its combination of materials, design, and craftsmanship references the quintessential markers of the firm. For example, the colors of the opal are beautifully mirrored in the choice of green and blue enamel.
ProvenanceBy 1996, sold by Nelson Rarities, Portland, ME to Barbara and Theodore Alfond, Weston, MA; 2020, gift of Barbara and Theodore Alfond to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 16, 2020)
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