ABOUT:
This one is so me! I love floral and leaf jewelry. I love French jewelry. I love the Art Nouveau movement. This piece is all three of those.
Delicious gold work with figural design of ivy leaves and berries. This antique necklace / chain is a French Art Nouveau piece from the Belle Epoque period. The chain links lead to three long panel links decorated with the leaves and berries and then additional little leaf and berry clusters are attached independently to dangle down and provide movement. An inch above each edge of the leaf links is an additional smaller leaf link for one more elegant detail.
The ivy motif was popular in Victorian times in jewelry as it represents life and eternity (essentially immortality), along with clinging attachment. It also was used to express fidelity and friendship.
I got this in Paris. Beautiful rich antique patina to the 18k gold with French hallmarks on the loops on both sides of the chain and again on the loop of the clasp. The safety chain is also stamped for 18k gold. Wonderful glow and amazing figural detail with a very legible and striking design.
MEASUREMENTS:
The chain is about 16 inches in length, a little over. The piece weighs 12 grams. The floral links are about 9mm wide.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
Thanks so much for looking at my items!
Box#St.!22#
