HOT ! Antique Festoon Necklace, ca 1840

Made from an industrial material that tells a great story, Emily believes that cut steel is one of the more accessible categories to be included in an antique jewelry collection. Cut steel jewelry begins its journey in the mid 18th century, as jewelry became available to a wider audience than royals and aristocracy, and when candlelit parties were de rigueur. Jewelers discovered they could facet and polish small steel beads that could then be riveted to metal forms to fabricate jewelry. All of this was done because this new jewelry material has the same tone and sparkle in candlelight as do rose cut diamonds; ingenuity at its finest!

This necklace sits high on the collar, and its floral chain terminates in the most delightful and dimensional pendant. Look at the reverse and you will see all the small perforations where the beads are attached. It is remarkable that such an industrial material can be transformed into such beautiful jewelry.

England, ca 1840