GOLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL REVIVAL NECKLACE, CARL BACHER, 1870s

Designed as a fine woven mesh with swags suspending a graduated fringe of stylised amphora, length approximately 405mm, maker's mark CB for Carl Bacher, Austrian assay marks, fitted case; together with a commemorative medal the obverse with a profile depicting Emmy Stradal, the reverse inscribed Emmy Stradal, Mitgl.D. National Rates, Vorsitzende D. Verbandes Deutscher Frauen-Volksgemeinschaft. 28.X.1877 + 21.XI.1925, fitted case.

Cf: Amanda Triossi and Daniela Mascetti, The Necklace, from Antiquity to the Present, Thames & Hudson, 1997, page 216 for an example of an archaeological revival necklace by Carl Bacher.

Overall very good condition, with some slight tarnish to the gold commensurate with age, one pipkin drop fourth from tongue with small trace of lead solder to suspension loop, case with wear and fraying to silk exterior and discolouration to velvet interior. Commemorative metal medal in good condition in fitted case with some minor scuffing to case exterior.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Emmy Stradal-Ecker was born on 28 October 1877 in Stockerau, Austria.  At a young age she was married to Adalbert G. Stradal, a diplomat and engineer with K&K Oberst Baurat in Austria, they had four children.

Emmy Stradal was very family focused but was particularly interested in the women's movement at the time, striving to gain more rights and recognition for women.  She was especially committed to education for young girls and women, health care for mothers and children, and the care for elderly women.  In addition to this she was chairman of various women's and youth unions, founding the Union for German Women in 1921. Emmy Stradal was one of the first  women to become a member of the Austrian Parliament, where she had a seat from 1920 to 1924.  Through her strong political position she was able to use her influence to successfully found schools and boarding schools for girls.

In 1925 she was re-elected for a second term of office, however her  youngest son Otto became infected with typhus, Emmy insisted on looking after him at home for months in isolation and eventually she herself became subjected to the disease, passing away on 21st November 2005, in Vienna. Her son Otto was cured of typhus and later became a journalist who was especially well known for his books on the history of Austria.