Antique paste riviere necklace, open backed gold tone brass settings, beautiful clear paste rhinestones, negligee pendant tassels

Beautiful 19th Century Victorian gilt metal and sparkling paste riviere necklace with two negligee drops. The necklace consists of linked individual panels each containing a large, faceted clear paste rhinestone claw set in an open backed cage setting. The construction of the caged settings is really unusual and decorative. I think these stones are paste rather than rock crystal, though I have not tested them. I must confess I am struggling to date this piece. My guess is post-Georgian, so Victorian or Edwardian - apologies that doesn't narrow it down a great deal.

The stones are gently graduated in size and are remarkably bright and sparkling - these open backed settings allow the stones to stay bright. This is a beautiful piece with a slim-fitting choker length of about 15 inches. It fastens with a pretty push-in box clasp hidden inside one of the jewelled panels with a closed back. The necklace is presented here in the hinged box pictured.

It is in good vintage condition overall, though some of the cage settings are showing their great age a little with some tiny kinks and dents. The little strand of fine belcher chain have had the gilt rubbed a little and present with a more silver tone surface in some lights. Please look carefully at all the photos and close-ups and send me a message if there are any further pictures you would like to be taken.