Zeeland 4-string garnet bead necklace with filigree closure.

This necklace is made in Walcheren, Zeeland (the Netherlands). The closure is in 14K bi-color gold (red and yellow) and it has four strings of facetted garnet beads. The closure itself is skillfully embellished with one big and 24 smaller rose cut garnets plus six smaller garnets at the sides. In Zeeland this type of closure is called a "zeug" which translates to English as "sow" (female pig). Necklaces like this were worn by women of all ages as part of the "klederdracht" (local dressing in its distinctive style).

Today there aren't nearly any people left who wear the dress of this local distinctive style. While the youngsters do not wear it at all anymore the older people do wear it occasionally. And in 2003 the last two men wearing the traditional clothing died and most probably in another 10 till 15 years no woman will be wearing it anymore either.

Antique jewelry object group: necklaces
Country of origin: Netherlands
Style: Victorian - (styles overview)
Period: ca. 1910 (events and facts in 1910)
Material: 14K bi-color gold (yellow and red) - (precious metals)
Technique: Filigree; this is in fact thin golden wire twisted into refined motifs. This technique demands very high skills and precision from the maker.
Extra information: klederdracht - (Dutch for 'dress of a distinctive style or period') - Till the beginning of the 20th century Dutch people were recognisable by their clothes and jewelry. In the Netherlands every village had its own costume. Only by looking at a piece of jewelry or clothing, experts can tell from which region people are or which faith they have.
Precious stones: rose cut and facetted bead garnets - (precious stones)
Birthstones: Garnet is the birthstone (or month stone) for January. - (general birthstones explanation)
Hallmarks: The Dutch control mark representing an oak leaf and that was in use between 1906 and 1953. - (general hallmarks info)
Condition: excellent condition - (our condition scale)
Dimensions: Width closure approx. 5.30 cm (2.09 inch), string with shortest circumeference approx. 35.00 cm (13.78 inch) The length of the strings can be enlarged (there will be an extra charge for this that will depend of the extra lenght - please ask in advance)
Weight: 150.60 gram (96.84 dwt)

Reference Nº: 09067-4267

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victorian jewelry
jewelry with garnet
jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for January
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