Victorian Grandeur: A Necklace Woven with Gold and Pearls

An exquisite treasure from the Grand Victorian Period, this French necklace, circa 1880, is a testament to the era's opulent design. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, it features delicate filigree work, reminiscent of fine lace, which forms the foundation for over 100 natural seed pearls, each carefully selected for this piece. These pearls, symbolizing purity and elegance, are intricately woven into the gold, creating a harmonious interplay of texture and lustre. This necklace is not just a piece of jewellery; it's a wearable piece of art, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of its time and the skilled craftsmanship of Victorian jewelers.

Antique jewelry object group
necklace

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
France

Style
Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
See also: Victorian
more info on styles

Style specifics
The Grand Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) into three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 - 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 - 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 - 1901).

We consider this to be of the Grand Victorian Period.

This second Victorian period is famous for its ostentatious pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From ca. 1850 wealthy English had reported about jewelry from India and Japan, which heavily inspired the jewelers of this period. This period also corresponds with the death of Queen Victoria's husband King Albert making mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific for this period.

Period
ca. 1880
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Material
18K yellow gold (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Technique
Filigree (formerly written filigrann or filigrane) is a delicate kind of jewel work made with twisted threads usually of gold and silver or stitching of the same curving motifs. It often suggests lace and French from 1660 to the late 19th century. It should not be confused with ajoure jewellery work; while both have many open areas, filigree involves threads being soldered together to form an object and ajoure involves holes being punched, drilled, or cut through an existing piece of metal. (from: Wikipedia)

Precious stones
103 seed pearls

Birthstones
Pearl is the birthstone (or month stone) for June.
more info on birthstones

Hallmarks
The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
length 38,60 cm (15,20 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
16,10 gram (10,35 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
23039-0116

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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