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Description: Victorian Unusual Filigree Silver Locket Collar Necklace. The locket has been teamed to this but the chain itself is very interesting and unsusal item. From what i have read English Birmingham filigree work is rather rare as not very much of it was made. A few examples of this type of work are held by the Birmingham assay office and there is a Card case featured in the Silversmiths of Birmingham Book by Kenneth Crisp Jones showing similar filigree work.
In a book called British Manufacturing Industries written in 1876. found via Google Books this information was noted :-
"About twenty years ago an effort was made in Birmingham to introduce, or rather revive, the production of silver filigree work as applied to various articles of personal decoration, and although some good work was done, the effort failed, and I believe that nothing of the kind is now done in England. Yet filigree presents a wide field of application, in which female labour and skill could be largely employed. The manipulation of a delicate wire, either in silver or gold, into decorative forms is a light and elegant kind of work, in which taste and ingenuity would have great scope. Possibly some turn of fashion may ere long bring it into demand ; at present the filigree jewellery sold in England is of foreign production, chiefly Swiss and Italian"
Judging by the style of the collar popular during the mid 19th century I think this item was made during this recorded 1856 failed revival of filigree silverwork.
If you have any further information about this item please contact me
Marks: Not marked
Size: Measures 17 1/2 inches long Locket measures 2 x 1 1/4 inches
Age: Mid 19th Century
Weight: 57.5 grams complete. Chain alone weighs 45.8 grams and locket 11.7 grams
Condition: Very Good Condition.
Status: Not For Sale
Code: DS1139
Price: Not For Sale |
