The 19th century was characterized by eclecticism, as artists were equally seduced by nature and the history of art and architecture. This archeological revival style fringe necklace features floral buds and berries and a rosette border. Working in Paris, Eugène Fontenay looked at Hellenic Greek necklaces of a similar design. But unlike some of his peers who copied historical works, Fontenay created jewelry with no specific historical antecedent; he freely borrowed motifs from various periods and cultures. The elements he chose to include in his designs very likely came from the newly published Grammar of Ornament, written by Owen Jones in 1856, which sampled graphic elements from global cultures and became a treasured resource for artists and designers. Like his peers, Fontenay exhibited his work at international exhibitions, beginning with the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1855.

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