Exceptional and rare American Art Deco necklace

This is an outstanding Art Deco crystal lavaliere necklace of exceptional quality. It originates from America around 1930 and is one of finest and most unusual examples of costume jewellery from that era that we’ve encountered.

The sparkling baguette and square crystals are faceted and individually claw set in open back silver settings and linked with tiny silver chains. The clasp is hidden behind a magnificent baguette crystal and signed on the back as sterling silver.

What makes this piece unique is that there is an exquisitely faceted crystal drop at both the front and the back, one being longer than the other and each with different design detail. The necklace can be worn with either the long or short drop at the back. This makes it the most perfect accessory for a low back dress when the longer drop is worn at the back, and when the shorter drop is at the back it adds stunning detail so seldom seen in a necklace.

The overall length of this beautiful necklace is 40 cm. The larger drop is 7 cm whilst the shorter drop is 5 cm.

A lavaliere is an item of jewellery consisting of a pendant incorporated into a necklace. The style was made popular by the Duchesse de la Vallière, a mistress of King Louis XIV of France, during the mid 1660s.