Antique Art Nouveau Necklace swags en esclavage Masks French Gilt Silver (7083)

Antique Art Nouveau necklace. Silver with gilt. Made in France circa 1890 - 1905.

Measurements: Weight is 18.1 grams. 15 1/2 inches (39cm) Total length.

Description : Rounded rectangular loops form the silver chain, which is typical of Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts work of the late 19th - early 20th century. The front of the necklace has 5 stations in the form of masks depicting Greek Tragedy. Each mask is seperated from the others by a line of silver chain as well as a swagging loop that falls below it. Influenced by Revival movements and Japonism, the Art Nouveau era produced fascinating mask jewelry by such illustrious makers as Boucheron, but they are quite rare to find. This necklace is made of silver, with a light wash of gold over the masks. The jump-loop clasp is almost certainly a replacement.

Marks and Metal: A number of the links on the chain have punch marks, but they are too small to decipher. The central mask has a maker's mark lozenge on the back - the left hand letter/initial is E; an animal head appears to be in the center and the right hand initial is not clear. The top of the same mask has two more punches, indicating the metal.

Condition: Good with minor wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.