Antique Negligé Necklace with Diamonds in Gold and Platinum, c. 1910

Negligé necklace, lavallière—both terms refer to the same type of necklace. The history of jewellery is divided on the origin of the second name: Either it comes from the actress Ève Lavallière, who loved to wear such necklaces, or it derives from Duchess Louise de La Vallière, who enjoyed tying men’s ties into bows with uneven ends. The term “négligé necklace,” on the other hand, alludes to the effortless elegance of such an asymmetrical piece of jewellery, as it is derived from the French word for “negligent.” This necklace embodies effortless elegance, yet its design is anything but negligent. The two “bow ends,” which are slightly different in length, are set with diamonds totaling 0.29 ct; these diamonds are set in motion by the flexibly crafted pendants, thus capturing and reflecting the light. Rose cut diamonds adorn the connection points of the bars. The transition to the chain is formed by a horizontally positioned, dynamically curved decorative element featuring fine shadow joints and milgrains. The platinum overlay on the solid gold pendant—a hallmark of the era—makes the diamond setting shine particularly brightly. A delicate, platinum-plated chain with a box clasp completes the design. Creations of this kind—delicate and flexible rather than heavy and rigid—enjoyed particular popularity in the early 20th century. With their ethereal lightness, they captured the spirit of the late Belle Époque—those final, carefree years devoted to beauty before World War I.

Estimation:€1,490

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