Featured Another Piece of Old Jewelry ~ When? Where? Who?

Thanks again for taking a look at this necklace with small cameo. It is about 17" clasp to clasp, has 2 stars on each link and we could find no marks. Thought it was interesting.
Patd

 

50s slide/lanyard? Is it a locket? Cute @patd8643

 

A search for 'bookchain cameo' will show you other similar pieces. At first glance I thought cameo was probably Czech glass, but it looks a bit rough, so may in fact be carved hardstone.

 

Bronwen gave a much better search term

 

Looks late 1800s Victorian.
I would have it checked. Might be 9K, 10K or rolled gold if it is indeed from the 1800s.

 

Can we see a close up of the cameo please.

 

I smell rolled gold; check the edges on the back of the clasp. If the edges are dull, it's gold-filled, rolled gold, or similar. The spots where the necklace would get the most wear ought to be the shiniest if it's gold.

 

Thanks Scout. Never thought to look for locket - will look tomorrow.

Good search term. Found some similar.

Will need to get a picture tomorrow.

I think you are correct. See some lightly worn places, but very sturdy.

Thanks for everyone's help.
Patd

 

I think 1960s or possibly 50s. I've some very similar pieces with plaques like that - one has a nice fake opal.

 

Necklaces like this give the appearance of having a slide, without the nuisance. Sort of like those brooches that look like a penannular but really have conventional brooch findings on the back. Bookchain necklaces of all types seem routinely to be described as Victorian or antique. I don't know if this is correct or just what goes around, but my sense is these were in vogue turn of/early in 20th century.

 

That clasp looks later - and there was a significant Victorian Revival in costume stuff in the 60s. Laura Ashley and all that.

 

I remember, but not anything like this. Would you place all the other 'Victorian' bookchain necklaces on the market today to that period? Or what would you look for to distinguish old ones from new? What about the clasp seems more recent to you? (Also the possibility the tongue, the part most likely to break, has been replaced.)

 

I'll fish out mine, if I can find them. Push in looks contemporaneous and they're a pig to replace, too. There was a big thing for those here.

As to others, it depends. The good gold true Victorian ones I've handled had flip over or small ring clasps, or even hooks. That clasp looks too clunky, and the oblong hole in the "female" side looks later. I do think it's rolled gold.

The length seems later, too.

 

Just checking. You mean the small opening in the back that looks like it was needed somehow to complete the assembly? Because I would like to see the opening in the female side that accommodates the male bit.

I have a bracelet I think was once gilt brass, finish mostly worn off now, that uses this type of clasp. (I think of them as box & tongue; is there a standard name for them?) Would be interested in comparing, although the shape of mine seems to have been dictated by the chains it holds on the other side, so it may be atypical. Bracelet is definitely not from mid-20th.

 

Yup, the wee hole thingy.

Box and tongue is exactly the right term, albeit shapes and designs vary massively, as I'm sure you've seen. I'd love to see your bracelet.

 

When I can get it photographed, will add it to the cameo thread & tag you. It has a cameo of Nero in glass paste, I think.

 

Cheers!

 

Off to do it now.

 

How strange...not 20 minutes ago I came across this one while searching for something else:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Victor...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
When I first saw patd8643's pic I thought it was the same one.

 

You all asked for a few more pictures - here they are. It looks like something was written at one time on the male end - can't read now.
Patd