Corbella

This necklace was created by the famed family run opera jewelry company Corbella, Milano circa 1910-1920. Due to the Egyptian design, it was most likely used in Giuseppe Verdi's Opera Aida at La Scala. The necklace consists of swags of faux glass lapis and turquoise cabochons and faceted crystal cabochons. Seven large three petal lotus pieces are suspended within the swags and set with more glass cabochons. In between the large lotus petals hang a small lotus flower. The metal is gilded brass and has a double hook and eye closure. The closure measures 4.5 inches wide. The in front is 5 inches. The top of the necklace measures 23 inches long and the bottom of the necklace measures approximately 35 inches laid flat. Original soft antique gold patina. Napoleone and Achille Corbella established the Corbella atelier and began creating costume jewels and arms for La Scala. The business was listed as the official opera house jeweler on its playbills from 1873 to 1951. Corbella supplied a special kind of stage magic to La Scala, as well as many theaters in Italy and abroad. In collaboration with La Scala’s costume designers, Corbella produced pieces reflecting a broad range of the past: brightly jeweled Egyptian-style diadems for Verdi’s “Aida,” a Viking queen’s gilded and feather headcrest for Wagner’s “Die Valkürie,” a 16th-century-style metal cuirass for Verdi’s “Otello” and a rhinestone-heavy filigree metal bra...