Description
This is a fabulous historical treasure and such an incredibly scarce thing. Dating from the c1900 era and crafted throughout in sterling silver, this is a museum quality piece of design. Better still, it is a documented design appearing in the Liberty & Co Jewellery Design Sketchbook in Westminster Archives. It is listed as necklace serial number 8569 on page 224 of the records. It is the only time I have seen this design, asides from in the sketchbook records. A wonderful scarcity!
A dream to have such a rare, high quality necklace by such a sought after name. There are five graduated heart-shaped plaques, set with green stones (chrysoprase for the central three and turquoise on the end plaques) . The detailing of the leaves and clusters of three berries with stalks is just sumptuous. All crafted by hand so the time taken to create this necklace would have been significant. From the large central plaque a single wing pearl is suspended and, as mentioned, the cap detailing is just as exquisite, with its single leaf and cluster of tiny berries. This type of festoon design necklace with its double rows of chains, was very popular in the finest pieces in the c1900 Art Nouveau era.
All of the tiny design details have been so carefully considered; from the crossover chains to the front plaque section to the singular leaf and berries from which the pearl is suspended. All is as it should be when you refer to the original sketch of the necklace.
The condition is excellent. The necklace is all original, even down to its solid gold barrel fastener-typical for the finer pieces created at Liberty & Co in that era. Some patina remains so it would polish further if preferred.
The drop of the main pendant section is approx 4.3cm and the wearable length of the necklace is approx 38cm (15 inches). Beautifully intact and a museum quality piece for collectors.
I shall send the necklace in a new necklace presentation box as the boxes in the images are for display only. Thank you. Complimentary express international courier is included or else by special delivery within the UK.
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