Antique Paste Harlequin Long Chain, 56'

$5,400.00

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Antique Paste Harlequin Long Chain, 56'

$5,400.00

Description

DATE: Late Victorian, c.1900

This colourful antique harlequin long chain is set with a rainbow spectrum of paste stones- white, pink, yellow, blue, green, purple and red. Dating from the turn of the century, circa 1900, it has a wearable length of 56 inches!! It can be worn long, doubled or tripled, and fastens with two bolt rings- How will you wear it? The paste stones are well saturated, and are perfectly complemented by the yellow metal chain.

The name "harlequin" has long been used to describe jewellery set with many different coloured stones. The reference is an Italian Commedia character, Harlequin, one of the "comic servants" of the Commedia dell’Arte tradition, introduced in the late 16th century and popularised by Tristano Martinelli, the "Master of Harlequins". Characterised by his brightly chequered costume. The role was that of a nimble and overly light-hearted servant who would often attempt to baffle the plans of his master while pursuing his own love interest, Columbina.

STONES

Paste Stones

MEASUREMENTS

56 inches wearable length

Width of chain: 2mm

WEIGHT

61.8g

MARKS

No marks present, tests as base metal

CONDITION

Very good