THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT ~
Type: Necklace
Materials: 18k Gold, Diamond, Garnet
Era: 1800s
ABOUT:
This special piece is so fun to wear. Georgian era antique figural snake necklace with four strands of shimmering antique cable chain leading down to the snake head which also serves as the clasp. Beautiful design and texture to the snake head which has rose cut garnet eyes and holds a dangling bezel set with a 3mm old mine cut diamond for wonderful sparkle. The tail piece serves as the clasp insert, which is hinged and inserts into the side of the snake head via push button. Very satisfying click inserting the clasp into place.
This Swedish piece is hallmarked on the back of the snake head for 18k and was made by goldsmith Anders Petter Lundqvist (1794-1866).
The rich, buttery gold is beautiful to see and the fabrication is quite uncommon. Sturdy, stackable, wearable, sparkly, buttery beautiful. The snake head has beautiful rosy hues to the raised areas from the antique patina and the piece really glows with the warm antique yellow gold. Sssssssso Ssssssspecial : )
MEASUREMENTS:
It is about 17.5 inches in length measuring from clasp to clasp. The diamond is 3mm in a 8.5mm gold bezel. The snake head is 38mm from top of the neck to the diamond dangle. The piece weighs 23.3 grams. Each chain is about a 1.7mm gauge.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
One of the garnet eyes is a later replacement inserted pavilion up to mimic the other rose cut. I only noticed this under magnification. There are some darker solder spots in the recesses on the head and tail by the bolts / rivets that connect the chains to the head and tail. They do not look like repairs because there are no lumpy spots or creases / breaks to the gold so perhaps just reinforcing that area for strength? A few shallow dings, one to the left side of the snake nose for example. Slight difference in hue to the patina of the head vs the tail. Surprisingly still quite sturdy for age and very wearable. T he clasp functions really well.
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 : )
I dearly love, collect, use and sell antiques so please check out my other listings and thanks so much for stopping by my shop!
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on insta for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews!
I am back from my inventory trips to Europe with quite a lot of antique treasures to share with you! I also have one additional inventory trip to Europe this fall so I will be rolling out new pieces almost every week from now, all the way until the holidays. Please stay tuned and feel free to follow on Instagram!
Box#Ms.!)@3
