Antique 5 strands garnet beaded necklace filigree clasp

A heavy antique Dutch necklace with 5 strands garnets beads, beautiful 14kt gold filigree clasp, crafted in Holland circa 1900's, excellent antique condition… A touch of history.

This necklace is made in Walcheren, Zeeland (the Netherlands). The closure is in 14K bi-color gold (red and yellow) and it has five strings of facetted garnet beads. The closure itself is skillfully embellished with one big and 23 smaller rose cut garnets. In Zeeland this type of closure is called a "zeug" which translates to English as "sow" (female pig). Necklaces like this were worn by women of all ages as part of the "klederdracht" (local dressing in its distinctive style).

Today there aren't nearly any people left who wear the dress of this local distinctive style. While the youngsters do not wear it at all anymore the older people do wear it occasionally. And in 2003 the last two men wearing the traditional clothing died and most probably in another 10 till 15 years no woman will be wearing it anymore either.

Object group: necklaces
Country of origin: Netherlands
Style: Victorian - (styles overview)
Period: 1900 - events and facts this year
Material: 14K bi-color (yellow and red) gold - (precious metals)
Technique: filigree - This is in fact thin golden wire twisted into refined motifs. This technique demands very high skills and precision from the maker.
Extra information: klederdracht - (Dutch for 'dress of a distinctive style or period') - Till the beginning of the 20th century Dutch people were recognisable by their clothes and jewelry. In the Netherlands every village had its own costume. Only by looking at a piece of jewelry or clothing, experts can tell from which region people are or which faith they have but we don’t have that specific knowledge.
Precious stones: rose cut and facetted bead garnets - (precious stones)
Birthstones: Garnet is the birthstone (or month stone) for January. - (general birthstones explanation)
Hallmarks:Mastermark for Sonsbeek (see next "goldsmith") and the Dutch origin oak leaf (pre 1906) - We are certain about the origin of this jewel because of the control mark representing an oak leaf (1852-1906). - (general hallmarks info)
Goldsmith: Sonsbeek, working in Schoonhoven, the Netherlands. Between 1899 and 1918
Condition: excellent condition - (our condition scale)
Dimensions: Width closure approx. 6.90 cm (2.72 inch), shortest circumeference approx. 43.00 cm (16.93 inch)
Weight : 166.70 gram (107.19 dwt)
Reference Nº : 08151-0848 (or click here)

See also our:
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victorian jewelry
jewelry with garnet
jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for January
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