from the Antique Jewelry University
Fer de Berlin (from French: "Berlin iron") jewelry came in fashion during the early 1800's when the
Prussians needed to finance the war against
Napoleon. Citizens (especially the upper classes) were asked to turn in their valuable precious metal jewelry in order to fund for military troops. They were rewarded with iron jewelry, often inscribed with "Ich gab Gold fur Eisen" (I gave gold for iron). Berlin iron was sand-cast and then lacquered black. Berlin iron jewelry at first followed the
Neoclassical style but by the 1830's the Gothic revival changed the appearance of the iron jewelry. Berlin iron items are extremely rare nowadays and it is the
Neo Gothic pieces that are sought after most.
See also
Blog:Tefaf 2008
Sources consulted
