Berlin Iron Necklace Ca. 1815-1820 & Napoleon Parure Jewellery Box

An exceptionally rare early 19th-century Berlin iron (Fer de Berlin) necklace, beautifully paired with a historically significant antique parure presentation box featuring Emperor Napoleon's monogram.

A very similar necklace design is thoroughly documented in academic literature, appearing as catalog entry 509 in Anne Forschler-Tarrasch's definitive reference book, European Cast Iron (published by the Birmingham Museum of Art). You can view the museum's officially documented piece in their online collection here:

This piece represents the absolute pinnacle of Prussian iron jewelry, a deeply patriotic and highly fashionable craft that emerged during the Napoleonic Wars when citizens traded their precious gold for iron to fund the war effort.

Design & Craftsmanship

The necklace is an exquisite display of high-contrast, intricately cast blackened iron. According to the documented museum catalog entry for this variant, the architecture of the piece features:

A delicate mesh chain made of intertwined iron links with a T-bar clasp.

A central brooch-like medallion flanked by acanthus foliage, designed in a classic Neoclassical idiom.

A finely cast Sistine cherub mounted within the central medallion, set against a bright polished steel plate and framed by a subtle gold rim.

A large, striking cross pendant suspended below, rendered in an elaborate Gothic Revival style with scrolling arms.

A central rosette on the cross, identically set on a polished steel plate with a gold rim, featuring the classic cross, heart, and anchor motif symbolizing faith, hope, and charity.

Historical Collector's Note

Dating precisely to the 1815–1820 period, this piece is attributed as possibly the work of Johann Conrad Geiss, one of the foremost pioneers and masters of Berlin iron jewelry. Pieces of this configuration hold immense historical value; a highly comparable necklace is prominently featured in the c. 1830–1840 oil painting Portrait of an Unknown Woman (Collection Biri Fay, Berlin), which illustrates the immense pride aristocratic women felt in wearing these intricate cast-iron jewels.

Measurements & Specifications:

• Total Chain Length: Approximately 52 cm
• Total Pendant Drop (Medallion & Cross): Approximately 13 cm
• Cross Dimensions: Approximately 8 cm long by 6.2 cm wide
• Necklace Weight: 39 grams

Condition Report:
Antique Berlin iron is famously brittle and prone to rust, making surviving intact pieces highly coveted. This necklace presents beautifully, with the intertwined chain completely connected, the blackened finish well-preserved, and the polished steel plates behind the cherub and rosette remaining bright and reflective. 

Please note: The slight inward curve at the bottom tip of the cross is a masterful, intentional ergonomic design feature cast into the original mold to allow the large pendant to drape flush against the natural slope of the wearer's chest; it is not a warp or flaw in the iron.

The Napoleon Monogram Parure Box & Historical Paradox

The necklace is presented in a breathtaking, semi-circular antique parure box. The exterior is bound in rich red morocco leather, finished with intricate gilt-tooled gold borders, and prominently features the iconic gold-stamped monogram of Emperor Napoleon—a letter 'N' situated directly beneath an imperial crown.

A Note to Collectors: This pairing represents an incredible historical irony. Berlin ironwork was famously born out of Prussian resistance to Napoleon's occupation; citizens literally traded their precious gold for iron to fund the war effort against France. Placing a supreme symbol of Prussian anti-Napoleonic resistance inside a box bearing Napoleon's own imperial crest creates a deeply compelling narrative and a magnificent historical display. (Please note: The original jewels housed in this box have been lost to time; this is a curated collector's marriage).

Parure Box Dimensions:

Condition Report:

The antique parure box shows expected age-related wear to the red morocco leather exterior and interior silk, commensurate with early 19th-century pieces, but remains structurally sound and visually stunning. You will see from the pictures the hooks to secure the box closed are missing. 

The neck stand is for display purposes and is not part of the set.

If you require any further information about this set. Please do not hesisate to contact us.