Extasia's Lady Red Intaglio Marsala German Glass Pendant in Bronze Metal with Cinnabar Beads Choker c. 1990's

This beautiful vintage choker features an intaglio pendant made from Extasia's opaque Marsala German glass, dark red on its own but shines a bright orange when shown under light, creating an astounding stained glass effect. The circular pendant is encased in an ornate, bronze metal frame that uses paisley-like metalwork. The beads that make up the necklace are intricately carved and adds lively texture to the piece, and are made from cinnabar beads.

Although lacquer is used in many Asian cultures, the art of carving lacquer is unique to China. Lacquer is the resin (or sap) of a family of trees (rhus verniciflua) found throughout southern China. It is an amazing material that hardens when exposed to oxygen and becomes a natural plastic that is resistant to water and can withstand heat and certain acids.

Purchased from an estate sale, the condition of this intaglio is excellent. It shows very slight signs of wear and comes in its original box. It uses a lobster claw closure.

In 1991, Extasia sprang out of the creative genius of its founder, Stefanie Freydont. Extasia's hand-pressed glass intaglios are made in a small Bavarian village using original steel molds and techniques unchanged from the 1800s. Their shell cameos are hand carved by artisans in the tiny Italian seaside village, Torre Del Grecco, where the art of cameo carving is said to have first developed.

Measurements:

Length: 15" adjustable to 18"
Pendant is 1.75" in diameter
Beads are .75" in diameter

Materials: