Cast-iron necklace comprised of a mesh chain with three small oval medallions set in gold, the clasp a larger oval medallion set in gold, all with antique reliefs.

Necklace

Royal Prussian Iron Foundry, Berlin, or Royal Prussian Iron Foundry, Gleiwitz

1810-1820

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Round blue jasper medallion with white relief profile portrait of Moliere (1622-1673) facing left. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, who took the stage name of Moliere, was born in Paris, the son of an upholsterer, who was also valet-de-chambre to Louis XIII. He studied under the Jesuits at the College de Clermont. In 1641 Moliere succeeded his father as the King's valet, but soon abandoned the appointment for the stage, joining a company of strolling players. For a time he came under the patronage of the Prince de Conti, and the King's brother, the duc d'Orleans. He first played before the King in 1658. In the following year his genius as a comic dramatist asserted itself, and the well known comedies began to flow from his pen. In 1665 Louis XIV adopted Moliere's troupe of players as his own, giving its director a pension of a thousand livres. His last play was the Malade Imaginaire. Moliere was ill when it was played, and the exertion produced a haemorrhage from which he died a few hours later.
Oval tri-color jasper (dark blue, lilac, and white) cameo with white relief sacrificial scene with polished edges.
Oval blue jasper medallion with white relief female figure holding a floral sprig
Small, round enameled copper box with white ground and gold highlights, on the lid in a reserve enclosed by gold scrolls, the printed portrait of a seated woman in red, the interior inscribed with "VOUS APPAS AIMES MES BIAS."