Description

A true collector’s piece this wonderfully rare Early 19th Century High Carat Gold Necklace features elegant Topaz and Citrine faceted stones, with traditional Foiled and Closed Back Settings in the form of a central flower head within cannetille burr-head and scroll surround.

Cannetille is a type of ornate gold wirework which was produced in England and Italy between around 1810 and 1830, and commonly found in high quality Georgian pieces of this circa. The Gold is certainly either 18 Carat or 22 Carat Gold - no less. These were the only grades permitted in England until 1854 when 9, 12 and 15 Carat was introduced..

It's stylistic floral design is also typically Georgian as designs showing a single stem or bouquet of flowers were incredibly popular. Unlike later eras, the designs were not intended to duplicate nature or be a recognizable flower. Instead they are stylized, and sometimes two dimensional as this remarkable piece illustrates perfectly.

At over 200 years old the repair work to the reverse is minimal and obviously contemporaneous. Cannetille is by nature incredibly delicate and it seems the Gold "scaffolding" was required to prevent any damage to the piece through wear and also to create a more durable foundation for the settings. All Georgian jewellery is handmade and therefore slightly more irregular than their later counterparts, however this merely adds to their charm and historical significance. Thankfully the repair work is minor and the piece is in otherwise lovely condition with no damage to the cannetille or stones.

The main crescent shaped setting suspends a similar quatrefoil drop which has obviously received sympathetic restoration later in it's life. It is also likely that the chain is a Victorian addition as necklaces of the Georgian era usually had rings on both end pieces where a ribbon was threaded through and tied in a bow at the neck. It's very rare to find these in their original state, most examples have had clasps added.

A highly unusual, incredibly delicate and one of a kind item.

It measures 14" in length whilst the crescent section is approximately 2" in length from west to east.

Price: SOLD

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