Antique real cultured 5mm pearl triple strand necklace in presentation box with pretty 9ct gold and cultured pearl cabochon clasp, 62 grams

Stunning triple stranded necklace of real cultured pearls, fastened with a beautiful 9 carat gold cultured pearl cabochon clasp.

The beads are all the same size (about 5mm in diameter) so the decorative clasp can be worn at the nape of the neck at the back, or used as a feature at the front or side. There is hand-knotting of the thread between each pearl on either side of the clasp to protect against losing pearls if an accident should happen. 

These pearls are old and cultured in sea water. They are not the freshwater pearls that are available quite cheaply from China and other Asian countries. The clasp is stamped with 9ct on the reverse, but I don't know anything else about where or when it was made. The story I was given as provenance by the previous owner was that she had bought them in an auction of the belongings of a former prime minister's wife. She went on to say it was the wife of Winston Churchill (Clementine) but I didn't know whether to believe this!

The necklace is in very good vintage condition. It has a length around the shortest strand of about 16 inches. The 9ct gold fish hook box clasp fastens well and is secure. The geometric design of the clasp feels a little Art Deco which could help date the necklace to around the 1930s. It comes with its white leather presentation box from a jeweller's in Gloucester.

I love this information clip on the history of cultured pearls:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cypxLWq98Vg

(with thanks to Fetheray jewellers)