Georgian/Regency Coral Jewelry
Adèle Romany (French, 1769–1846) • Portrait of a Woman at a Pianoforte • 1808
I came across so many portraits from the early 19th century of young women wearing coral jewelry that I had to look into why.
Thomas Barber (British, 1771–1843) • Lady Caroline Gordon, Lady Chesham (1785-1866) • Between 1805-1815
It was believed by the people of the era that coral contained properties that protected the health and well-being of the wearer. Coral was worn mostly by young women and children because their health was considered the most vulnerable. If the coral remained bright, it signified its wearer was in good health. If it turned dull, it indicated that the person wearing it was either ill or soon to be. Wearing coral for a portrait helped to portray that the sitter was "the picture of health".
Jewelry sets, such as this one, were called parure. The comb in the upper center was called a diadem. These matching sets are evident in portraits (see the Romany portrait), mostly coral or pearl studded.
Adèle Romany (1769-1846) • Portrait of a Young Piano Player Holding a Music Score (Miss Thevenet de Montgarrel) • c. 1802
