Description
A staggeringly rare and fabulous piece of hand-crafted Arts and Crafts jewellery from the c1900 era in England. It is of superb quality and in wonderful condition, most likely created by one of the Guilds (my money would be on the Artificers’ Guild). All 22 of these large and colourful fire opals (21 in the main part of the necklace and one set in the original box clasp)are in excellent order with no chips or damage. It is a Museum quality piece of jewellery and you simply cannot help having a truly deep emotional reaction to it. What an incredible piece of art!
The necklace has three main panels, decorated with hand-wrought silver leaves, a single forget-me-not flower in the centre and small clusters of berries. Six large oval cabochons of fire opal are set in the arrangement. A small “stalk” is suspended below each of the panels, with a pair of silver leaves and a further fire opal- the central drop is round and the drop flanking it on either side is oval. A small detail but doesn’t it look all the better for it! Two pairs of chains connect the panels, giving it somewhat of a festoon feel.
Another lovely feature, again showing the high quality of this piece of work, is the original fire opal box catch, which has it’s own gold tongue slotting into it. 21 stones at the front and the 22nd at the catch. This is antique English Arts and Crafts design at its best. All the same stone utilised in the design and a more swoon-worthy necklace you will not find. It is a dream piece!
The height of the decorative panel in the centre is approx 5.4cm , with the whole decorative section measuring approx 13.5cm wide. The chain measures approx 38cm (tiniest fraction under 15 inches). I tried it on and on me, it sits under the throat on the collarbones and looks sensational. A choker, collar type of design and boy, will it get noticed!!!!!
I shall send by courier internationally and Special Delivery inland. I shall send in a new necklace presentation box and not the box in the images. Thank you.
