Antique Victorian sterling silver (tested) heavy book chain necklace with large oval locket, beautiful engraving

Fabulous antique Victorian sterling silver book chain choker necklace and detachable pendant link with engraved oval locket, all with gorgeous, elaborate engraving. All the pieces have been tested and are solid sterling silver but are not hallmarked, as was the norm with many of these type of pieces of this age. Some of the pictures show the basic book chain necklace, which can be worn as pictured as a classic choker.

Included in the sale is the extra link with a second clasp which was traditionally used to attach a Victorian engraved locket, pendant or cameo. The large oval engraved Victorian sterling silver locket is shown as it would be attached and is of course included in this sale listing.

This is a heavy piece the chain alone having an overall weight (including the extra link and clasp to attach a pendant) of 45 grams (43 grams without the extra link and clasp). The necklace has a choker length of 16 inches and fastens with a classic antique, over-sized sterling silver spring ring clasp. It is in very good vintage condition. The extra link to attach the pendant has another over-sized sterling silver spring ring clasp for the locket and has a length of about 1.5 inches. The locket itself has a pendant loop about 1/2 inch long and a locket length of about 1.5 inches, width 1.25 inches. The locket is also in good vintage condition - the only flaws being scratches and a patch of corrosion actually inside the locket - none of which is visible when the locket is worn and which would be covered by pictures inside the locket.

Victorian book chain necklaces are an excellent example of antique jewellery that manages to look completely contemporary. The book chain design emerged during the latter part of the Early Victorian Era, or Romantic Period (1837 to 1860) and was worn at that time with a large locket at the front.