Description
Now reserved for E only-thank you. 1st payment of 2 ***************************************************************************
This is such a fabulous antique necklace, with the pendant clearly showing Gaskins’ influences and, therefore, I believe it is a Birmingham School piece. The design is so pleasing and the stones’ selection is really rather rare and completely captivating. I have not come across the use of super sparkly white topaz like this, as usually it would be rock crystal. It certainly makes for a sumptuous display, set with the fabulously faceted pink tourmalines. A rare piece.
The original bale has a lovely wire of rope work down the centre and has been (like the rest of the pendant) hand crafted. The diamond-shaped main section is constructed in an open work design with trios of silver wire loops, very much like you see together on the Gaskins’ pieces. The central stone is a fabulous, glittering white topaz with a rope work detail at the base of its setting, with smaller topazes being set at North and South positions. Six faceted, oval pink tourmalines are set into the arrangement, being separated by silver ball details and silver flowers.
A long drop with a further bezel-set white topaz and a pink tourmaline completes the beautiful pendant. The stones are all open-backed and this is one of the reasons there is so much light bounced around in the design. It really is a sensational piece.
So interesting to see how neat and proficient this craftsperson was, if you look at the verso it is wonderful. The pendant measures approx 7.6cm in height and the antique barrel-clasp silver chain measures approx 46cm (18 inches). As you can see there is some patina, on the flowers on the front. I thought it added an appropriate depth to the piece but if you would rather polish it away then I can understand that too.
A gorgeous pendant with a rarer mix of stones-all in pleasing order with no chips. Wonderful! I shall post in a new gift box by complimentary Special Delivery post within the UK and by courier internationally. Thank you. Boxes in the images are for display only -thank you.
