Name Pendant necklace with openwork floral medallion and bead drops

Jewelry

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

Name Pendant necklace with openwork floral medallion and bead drops

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.98

Description

A costume necklace consisting of a cable-link chain with a spring-ring clasp, supporting a circular openwork pendant. The pendant is gilt base metal worked in a filigree-style manner: a central raised rosette of stylized petals or teardrops surrounded by a lattice/openwork border within a beaded rim. The pendant hangs from a decorative bail. Three drops dangle from the lower edge — two smaller ornamented spherical beads flanking a larger plain spherical bead suspended from a fluted, cone-shaped cap — giving the piece a pendulous, somewhat folk- or revival-style character. The metal throughout has a warm gold tone. The chain shows extensive blue-green corrosion (verdigris) along its length, indicating an oxidizing copper-alloy base metal beneath the gilding; the pendant retains more of its gilt finish. General wear, dulling, and tarnish are consistent with age and use.

Item Type

Necklace

Context

Bought in Le Trianon by María A. Arús Caraballo and used by her and by María A. Cabrera Arús.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection, María A. Arús Caraballo collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Materials

Material Notes

Materials Gilt copper-alloy / gold-tone base metal (chain, pendant, beads, clasp); evidence of verdigris corrosion confirms a copper-bearing alloy rather than solid precious metal. Technique Cast and/or stamped openwork pendant with applied raised ornament (imitating filigree); cable-link chain; spring-ring clasp; suspended bead drops on small jump rings. Surface gilded/plated.

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

María A. Arús Caraballo

Notes

owner

Person or Organization

María A. Cabrera Arús

Notes

wearer

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

use, purchase

Place

State/Province

New Jersey

Country

U.S.A.

Continent

North America

Notes

use

Research Notes

Notes

The folk/revival filigree styling was a popular mid-century fashion idiom.

Notes

The style could also predate 1959, and nothing on the object fixes it.

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

November 22, 2025

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 14, 2026