"Not an every day object, to say the least. A parure (a set of matching jewels) of real natural seed pearls. Some 200 years old and in the finest condition and it comes in its original box from the jeweler: Hamlet. His sign reads: ""Hamlet Goldsmith & Jeweller To Their Majesties & Royal Family, Princes Street Leicester Square"". Natural seed pearls (smaller than 2mm and not completely round) were an essential part in Georgian jewelry. They were made into long tasseled sautoirs, or threaded into intricate designs to support slides and clasps, or used as surrounds for gemstones, cameos and micro mosaics instead of the more traditional diamonds. Particularly exquisite are the parures of seed pearls in various sizes, sewn by hand with horsehair or silk thread on to a drilled mother-of-pearl backing to create necklaces, hair ornaments and earrings of delicate beauty. Due to the size of the seed pearls, special care and patience was needed when drilling the holes, as a even the smallest mistake would result in the loss of value or render the pearl completely useless. It was an art Indian lapidaries where especially famed for, due to the extensive use of seed pearls in traditional Indian jewelry. For all its fragility, a good deal of seed pearl work has survived and fine examples in boxed sets can still be found. Pearls have always had a beautifying effect on women. (From the book ""Georgian Jewellery 1714-1830"" - where on page 153 you can see some jewelry that came from the Adin collection). Purity and innocence are characteristics often ascribed to pearls, combined with the purity attributed to the lily depicted in the necklace, made them an ideal wedding gift for a blushing bride. The well known story of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, dissolving a pearl into vinegar and drinking it to showcase her wealth to Caesar is often disregarded as myth. But there are records of Ranjit Singh, a nineteenth century party loving Indian prince who threw decadent parties where he would ground pearls to a powder and mix them with wine to offer to his favored guests to impress them. We dont suggest giving this necklace the Cleopatra nor the Ranjit Singh treatment, just wearing it will suffice to impress your friends. It comes in its original box where we can see that the necklace, without a closure, is meant to be like that. Most likely it was sewn to clothing or as part of a tiara. We didnt want to change that but if necessary we can add a sort of closure to the back to make it wearable as necklace. Besides the necklace there are also two slightly bowed shapes (that we think were either parts of a tiara or brooches) and a pendant. It all comes in its original box that has on the outside the owners monogram S.A.L.. Also notable that in the box some parts are missing. Most likely a hair comb (to hold the brooches?) and a brooch system. Antique jewelry object group: parure - a parure is a matching set of various type of jewelry and in this case it consist out of a necklace, brooches or parts of a parure and a pendant Condition: excellent condition Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of British origin. Style: Georgian - Georgian style is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of HanoverÑGeorge I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United Kingdom, and George IV of the United KingdomÑwho reigned in continuous succession from August 1714 to June 1830. Style specifics: Seed pearl jewelry Georgian period 1714-1830 - Natural seed pearls (smaller than 2mm and not completly round) were an essential part in Georgian jewelry. They were made into long tasselled sautoirs, or threaded into intricate designs to support slides and clasps, or used as surrounds for gemstones. Particularly exquisite are the parures of seed pearls in various sizes, sewn by hand on to a drilled mother-of-pearl backing to create necklaces, hair ornaments and earrings of delicate beauty. Occasionally these are set with gemstone-mounted centres. For all its fragility, a good deal of seed pearl work has survivied and fine examples in boxed sets can still be found. Pearls have always had a beautifying effect on women. From the book ""Georgian Jewellery 1714 1830"" (where on page 153 you can see some jewelry that comes from the Adin collection) Period: ca. 1810 Material: Technique: seed pearls sewn on mother of pearl Extra information: Georgian period 1714-1830 - Georgian jewellery refers to jewellery made during the years when the four King Georges ruled Great Britain. Georgian jewellery encompassed most of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Ornate gold work in the form of cannetille, with its intricate designs of tendrils, scrolls and granulation became widely popular around 1830. Gemstones were close-backed with colored foils mounted behind them to enhance the color. Diamonds were set with silver-topped gold to emphasize their whiteness. Enameling was another important decorative element. Cobalt blue enamel was often used in combination with diamonds. Neoclassical motifs proliferated: Greek key, urns, plumes and acorns. Fashionable styles included long drop earrings, necklaces composed of plaques joined by gold chains, rivieres, bracelets worn in pairs, and large finger rings. Long gold muff chains of textured, round links came into fashion towards the end of this period. During the early Georgian period (George I, 1714-1727), the French Rococo style dominated the arts. There wasnt a specific individual British style of jewellery during this period, like there was in the Victorian period . The jewellery of this period consisted largely of nature pieces, including designs with birds, flowers, leaves, insects, and feathers. They were delicate and light, and many were set on a spring so that they trembled. Those pieces set with precious gemstones were very unique-they were entirely handmade. Most pieces were encrusted with gemstones, and the type of metal used to create pieces was of secondary importance. The most popular motifs of this time for diamonds were baskets of flowers, spurts of foliage, and feather plumes. During the Georgian period, jewellery pieces with less precious gemstones were also produced in greater quantities, using coral, garnets, turquoise, and even paste. Precious stones: an uncountable amount of seed pearls Birthstones: Pearl is the birthstone (or month stone) for June. Hallmarks: No trace. Dimensions: length of necklace circa 50,00 cm (19,69 inch), length brooches circa 10,00 cm (3,94 inch), height pendant circa 7,40 cm (2,91 inch) Weight: of all loose pieces together 71.30 gram (45.85 dwt) Reference N: 12186-0010 Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry "