Mastery of Design: The Carlo Giuliano Pendant, 1867

Pendant
Carlo Giuliano for Harry Emanuel
C. 1867
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Let’s take a look at this attractive pendant upon the back of which the V&A has written the museum number. Why do they do this?

This pendant was made by Italian jeweler Carlo Giuliano. It is believed that it may have been shown at the international exhibition in Paris in 1867. An identical pendant was displayed at the 1867 exhibition by the jeweler and silversmith, Harry Emanuel. This fact was illustrated in the Art Journal magazine at the time. Giuliano, who launched his own firm in 1874, worked almost exclusively for Harry Emanuel at the time, so it’s a safe bet that this was the pendant that was displayed in 1867.

The vase-shaped pendant of enameled gold is decorated with table-cut rubies and features three enameled cherubs and three pendant drops set with diamond chips and hung with river pearls. A glass locket fitting at the back would have allowed the insertion of hair or other mementos.