Alice Weidel's Pearl Necklace as Political Iconography

In the context of the ongoing German election campaign, art historian and critic focus on the white pearl necklace worn by Alice Weidel, co-chair of the AfD, as a distinctive accessory at public appearances. The necklace, once a symbol of vanity and luxury in art history, as seen in Jan Vermeer's 'Young Woman with a Pearl Necklace' (1662–1665) at the Berlin Gemäldegalerie, has transformed into a political symbol. A website of the Hong Kong-based company 'Perlen Nation' offers a detailed analysis and sales pitch, describing the necklace as a deliberate statement conveying tradition, seriousness, and femininity, aligning with conservative values. The text, which reads like a lesson in political iconography, references historical figures like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Margaret Thatcher, and specifies the pearls as high-quality freshwater pearls, 7.0–8.0 mm, grade AAA+, round and flawless. The author suggests that the necklace serves as a camouflage, distracting from Weidel's harsh rhetoric. The piece also critiques the ban on political symbols in the Bundestag, enforced by President Julia Klöckner, which does not cover jewelry like necklaces. The article concludes with a quote from Elvis Presley's 'You look like an angel' to underscore the deceptive nature of appearances.