Enchanted carriage: a vintage 1950s gold brooch inspired by Mellerio

Awaiting the road that lies ahead of you , this Italian 18-carat gold carriage from the 1950s, built in the Mellerio style, has the capacity to take you to any gala you can imagine.

As your good fairy godmother, Adin promises you that the carriage will not turn into a pumpkin. So even after midnight, you can count on these white gold wheels to carry you in this yellow gold mount set with diamonds and sapphires inlaid with whimsical opaline enamel, while the white gold lanterns light your way. However, the coachman has his own ideas, being a former horse, as you know.

Antique jewelry group: brooch

Condition: very good condition
- (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Italy

Style: Vintage 1950s (20th century)
- See also: 1950s (20th century) or more info on styles

Stylistic specificities: This type of jewelry is very specific to the 1950s of the 20th century. Goldsmiths took inspiration from all kinds of animals. Made of gold and adorned with enamel and precious stones, these pieces, the result of their work, are often refined, clever, and charming.

Period: circa 1950
- (events and facts from this era, poetry from this era, fashion from this era)

Source of inspiration: Although this jewel is not branded Mellerio, it shows all the characteristics of an atypical Mellerio piece. Moreover, this model is typically Mellerio.

Theme: carriage

Material: 18-carat two-tone gold (yellow and white)
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Technique: Enameling is an ancient and widespread technique. The Egyptians of Antiquity applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The Greeks, Celts, Russians, and Chinese of Antiquity also used enameling processes on metal objects. Enamel is the colored result of fusing glass powder onto a substrate by firing, generally between 750 and 850 °C. The powder melts, flows, and hardens to form a smooth and durable glassy coating on metal, glass, or ceramic. According to some sources, the word enamel comes from the Old High German "smelzan" (to melt) via Old French "esmail." Used as a noun, "an enamel" refers to a decorative object, generally small in size, covered with a layer of enamel, such as a champlevé or cloisonné (different techniques).

Additional information: Mellerio - François Mellerio (1772-1843) laid the foundations of the current maison, MELLERIO known as MELLER. Established at 4, rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré (now rue Marengo), his business experienced rapid growth under the Empire, thanks to Empress Joséphine who bought small items from him and brought along the Emperor’s family, the new nobility, and the united old aristocracy. In 1815, at the end of the Empire, he moved the maison to 22, rue de la Paix and the following year partnered with his brother Jean-Jacques. Highly prized by the Orléans family, his main client, Mellerio was elevated, after the accession of the Duke of Orléans to the throne in 1830, to the rank of official supplier to Queen Marie-Amélie, King Louis-Philippe, and the royal family.

During the economic crisis caused by the Revolution of 1848, the two brothers developed the project of establishing themselves in Spain. This project materialized in 1850 with the opening of a store in Madrid, "Mellerio-Hermanos", which quickly received significant orders from Queen Isabella II and the Spanish nobility. The Second Empire was one of the most prosperous periods for the maison Mellerio in Paris. Worthy heirs of their ancestors François (born in 1943) and Olivier (born in 1945), the current managers perpetuate this high-level know-how, which justifies the membership of the maison in the Comité Colbert and the Haute Joaillerie de France.
(See our glossary for more information about Mellerio)

Diamond(s): Two brilliant-cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 0.02 ct.
One baguette-cut diamond (long rectangular) with an estimated weight of ± 0.03 ct.

Total number of diamonds: three pieces.

Total diamond weight: about 0.05 crt. with an average color and clarity: F/H, vs/si.

- All weights, color grades, and clarities of the diamonds are approximate, as the stones are not removed from their settings in order to preserve the integrity of the mounting. In addition, all diamonds are checked by the IJGC laboratory (www.ijgc-worldwide.com) to determine whether they are natural or synthetic, and all diamonds in this jewel are guaranteed 100% natural!

Gemstones: Quatre sapphires. We have not checked whether they are handcrafted, as this information has no influence on the value of this jewel. At that time, both natural and handcrafted sapphires were used, more for their effect than for their intrinsic value. Their weight is estimated at ± 0.12 ct.
- All colored stone weights are approximate as the stones are not removed from their settings to preserve the integrity of the mounting.

Birthstones: The diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and the sapphire for September.
- (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: "750" indicating 18-carat gold and "160AL" as the maker's mark for Lunati in Alessandria, Italy
- (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: height 4.10 cm (1.61 inch)

Weight: 14.60 grams (9.39 dwt)