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Coral jewellery 2016 Genoa auction

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Coral jewellery 2016 Genoa auction

19th century bracelet. Coral jewellery 2016 Genoa auction

Coral jewellery 2016 Genoa auction

Since ancient times, Coral has been a favorite decoration. Pink coral beads are found in a cave of Paleolithic era. According to ancient Greece, corals grant long life. Sumer craftsmen used corals for decorative purposes – known Sumerian vase decorated with corals, which age is 5000 years. In the medieval Europe coral was a symbol of purity.
Both in the West and in the East, people decorated with corals horse harness and armor, weapons, and holy books bindings, cut beads and necklaces. Mexican Indians still claim that wearing coral beads drives away evil spirits from the human, and sends away fever. In Tajikistan, 1.5 thousand years ago was the legendary city Kiropol, where archaeologists found coral beads and rough coral branches.

Coral figure of Lion, China, early 20th century. Genoa auction 1 March 2016

Figure of Lion, China, early 20th century

The ancient Greeks, Romans, and naturalists of middle ages and renaissance thought coral to be a plant. This lasted until 1827, before the French physician Jean Andre Peyssonnel (19 June 1694 – 24 December 1759) proved that corals are not plants, but animals. The so-called flowers retract on contact with air but reappear when returned to the sea. It is animal matter, soft and milky, that covers the organism’s stony parts.

Table clock, end 19th -early 20th century. Silver, enamel, pearl and coral

Table clock, end 19th -early 20th century. Silver, enamel, pearl and coral

Coral jewellery 2016 Genoa auction

Legends also credited corals with completely different origin. Thus, the Greek legend says that the coral came from the blood of Medusa, after Perseus beheaded her. Meanwhile, in Russia believed that coral is stored in the brain of the dragon, so another name of coral – the dragon stone. This is what written in ancient medical notes: “This stone is called coral. Born in the sea, it grows like a tree. Opaque, red, scarlet color of Coral is suitable for the treatment of epilepsy. If you wear it around your neck it will chase away the pain ….
Black and dark brown coral, according to Avicenna and Galen, treats purulent abscesses of the liver and intestines. Coral comes to the aid of those who can not urinate, and has many other therapeutic agents.”

Even today, Italians consume coral amulets, believing that they can protect against the evil eye. Small coral dust was a favorite component of healers, alchemists and magicians of antiquity. It was willingly included in the recipes of ointments, powders, rubs, pills. Drugs, containing coral, helped, according to the ancients, for bleeding, wounds, ulcers, diseases of the heart.

Diadem of Gold and coral (detail), 19th century

Diadem of Gold and coral (detail), 19th century

Traditionally, it was a talisman of travelers. According to belief, while traveling mineral protects its wearer from possible violence and natural disasters: floods, fires and storms. Astrologers say that corals can wear and use almost all the zodiac signs, especially Taurus, Aries, Crayfish, Libra and Pisces; but coral is not good for Lions.

Coral jewellery 2016 Genoa auction

Strawberry set consisting of a necklace, a pair of earrings, pendant, signed Van Der Shoot

Strawberry set of a necklace, a pair of earrings, pendant, signed Van Der Shoot

Pendant. Coral jewellery 2016 Genoa auction

Pendant

Chinese coral sculpture, 19th century, Genoa auction 1 March 2016

Chinese coral sculpture, 19th century

Gold and coral brooch

Gold and coral brooch

Stunning Gold and coral necklace

Stunning Gold and coral necklace

Exquisite Gold and coral pendant

Gold and coral pendant

Tiara of Gold and coral, 19th century

Tiara of Gold and coral, 19th century

Filigree gold and coral earrings, 19th century

Filigree gold and coral earrings, 19th century

Mother of pearl, gold, diamond and coral necklace Heart

Mother of pearl, gold, diamond and coral necklace Heart

19th century brooch of Gold, silver and coral

19th century brooch of Gold, silver and coral

Hair comb of Gold, silver and coral, 19th century

Hair comb of Gold, silver and coral, 19th century

Parure, set of brooch, earrings, hair comb, 19th century. Gold, silver and coral

Parure, set of brooch, earrings, hair comb, 19th century. Gold, silver and coral

Two color gold, coral, and diamonds brooch

Two color gold, coral, and diamonds brooch

Chinese man turquoise brooch. Two color gold, diamond and coral

Chinese man turquoise brooch. Two color gold, diamond and coral

Rubies and sapphires brooch Flower. Two color gold

Rubies and sapphires brooch Flower. Two color gold

Sapphire, coral, ruby, gold and diamonds brooch

Sapphire, coral, ruby, gold and diamonds brooch

White gold, silver, sapphire, coral, aquamarines and diamonds earrings

White gold, silver, sapphire, coral, aquamarines and diamonds earrings

Bracelet, Gold and coral

Bracelet, Gold and coral

Ring and earrings of Gold and coral

Ring and earrings of Gold and coral