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Antique Art Nouveau Suffragette Lavaliere Necklace browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques: Decorative Art: Jewelry: French: Pre 1920: item # 696564 GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear 56 Calle Monte Aplanado, NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 Phone: 505.205.1404 Guest Book $185 (Free U.S. Priority Shipping & Gift-Wrap if Desired) |
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This antique Suffragette necklace is a charmer, styled with an elaborate, oversized surmount and a surprising drop, unexpectedly short, that whimsically suggests a watch fob.
The necklace is jeweled with pretend-jade of beautifully marbled early plastic (probably Galalith, invented in the 1890s) plus amethyst pastes and faux pearls, but the gilt metalwork is the real star here. It's highly dimensional with flower petals, some also suggesting shells. The airy openwork and gracefully articulated construction argue for an Edwardian dating, although it could have been crafted a little earlier or later. The surmount and drop measure about 2 3/8 inches, to which the chain and filigree clasp add about 15 inches. Even the chain is extraordinarily well detailed with bright-cut patterns and beaded edges. This is a very supple chain that's a joy to touch. My best guess on origin is France, based on the sophisticated wit of the design, the quieter sparkle of the stones compared to those made in Bohemia and the heft of the metal. I expect there's bronze under this gilding, not brass, and the French have always known their way around gilt bronze. Condition, as you see, is superb, showing only slight surface wear on high points under extreme magnification, and provenance is a West Coast estate. As you know if you collect Suffragette jewelry, the unusual combination of green, purple and white had deep meaning for early feminists. For them, green represented hope, purple signified dignity and white stood for purity. The language we associate with "regard" jewelry applied, too: The "G" of green, "W" of white and "V" of violet comprised an abbreviation for Give Women (the) Vote. All this seems cryptic now, but was clearly understood by everyone in an era when messages were also communicated by which flowers you sent, how you held your fan and which corner of a calling card you folded down, if any. The wealthiest suffragettes mixed amethysts and pearls or diamonds with green stones such as emeralds or peridots, but pretend gems were naturally favored by the majority. Wearing Suffragette jewels is a great way to show our appreciation of those who won us the vote. That right was finally extended to all American women in 1920 and to all in Great Britain in 1928. Although forgotten for many years, these jewels have been steadily gaining value since the movie "Iron Jawed Angels" appeared in 2004, revealing what the gals went through (including hunger strikes and beatings) and, now that the genre has been rediscovered, they're getting much harder to find. This is a jewel that offers significant investment potential, as well as exceptional beauty. There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking! |
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