Exquisite Antique Belle Époque Lavallière Necklace with Diamonds, c. 1910

Around c. 1900, people in Europe loved everything that appeared effortless and informal, even if it was backed by the greatest sophistication. In the art of jewelry, this preference found expression in a new necklace shape that contrasted the strict symmetries of the 19th century with a charming nonchalance: the lavallière, also known as the negligee necklace. Two pendulums of different lengths, which fall down like the ends of a loosely tied silk bow, lend it the seemingly casual elegance that so inspired the ladies of the Belle Époque. There is still no consensus in jewelry history as to where the name lavallière comes from: it either goes back to the actress Ève Lavallière, who is said to have loved wearing such necklaces, or to the Duchess Louise de La Vallière, who liked to tie men's ties into bows with unevenly long ends. The term negligee necklace, on the other hand, refers to the casual grace of this asymmetrical shape and is derived from the French word for "careless". This necklace also follows this design principle. Two long, slender pendulums swing freely below the loop motif and end in two pear-shaped old-cut diamonds, each weighing one and 1.70 carats respectively. With every movement, they catch the light and radiate a lively fire. Other smaller diamonds sit on the bars like pearly dewdrops, while the bow itself is set with large old-cut diamonds. The necklace is a first-class jewel of the Belle Époque and was created around 1910. It was later rhodium-plated to prevent the silver from tarnishing. We discovered it in Vienna. It comes with an independent appraisal.

Estimate:£19,350.19

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