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Necklace

1750-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This delicate necklace was described as 17th century French when it was acquired by the Museum in 1901, with a pair of matching earrings. Although elements of the design, including the bars at the ends of the necklace, which would have been tied together by ribbons, and the girandole pendant, were used in 17th century jewellery, the necklace itself is more likely to date from the 19th century. The little toggle bar on one end would not have been part of the original necklace.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Necklace
  • Pendant
Materials and techniques
Gold filigree set with carved mother-of-pearl plaques
Brief description
Gold filigree necklace with matching pendant set with mother-of-pearl shapes, possibly Italy, 1750-1850.
Physical description
Gold filigree necklace decorated with mother-of-pearl, with matching pendant. The necklace consists of 17 openwork plaques of various designs arranged symmetrically with an additional matching triangular plaque at each end with a bar across its outer edge for attaching to a ribbon. A toggle bar has been added to one terminal plaque. Each of the plaques is made from plain wire loops and scrolls decorated on the front with appliqués stamped from thin sheet gold in the shape of flowers and leaves, and set with mother-of-pearl shapes – stars, bows, discs, lozenges - in pronged mounts. There are hinge fittings, possibly for a missing brooch pin, on the backs of the two outermost plaques, just before the triangular terminals. The pendant hangs from the central plaque. It is girandole in shape, with a central plaque hanging from a smaller arc, with three flat mother-of-pearl drops hanging from its lower edge.
Summary
This delicate necklace was described as 17th century French when it was acquired by the Museum in 1901, with a pair of matching earrings. Although elements of the design, including the bars at the ends of the necklace, which would have been tied together by ribbons, and the girandole pendant, were used in 17th century jewellery, the necklace itself is more likely to date from the 19th century. The little toggle bar on one end would not have been part of the original necklace.
Collection
Accession number
1172&A-1901

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Record createdSeptember 13, 2005
Record URL
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