19th Century Egyptian Revival Scarab Necklace
19th Century Egyptian Revival Scarab Necklace
$950.00
Description
DATE: Victorian, c.1880
A striking Egyptian Revival scarab necklace dating from the 1880s. The enthusiasm for Ancient Egyptian designs in the decorative arts of the 19th Century is largely attributed to Napoleon's conquest of Egypt. Napoleon took a scientific expedition with him to Egypt, which led to as series of publications called "Description de l'Égypte", beginning in 1809. As a result, themes and motifs including scarabs, pyramids, sphinxes, and ankhs appeared in jewellery, furniture, architecture and paintings throughout the century.
This necklace is particularly well adorned, featuring no fewer than 24 scarabs each one resting in a four claw mount and dangling from the main chain. Of course, they're not actually the scarab beetles of Egypt, which are relatively dull in appearance, but were likely imported from South America especially for use in jewellery making.
STONES
Real Scarab Beetles
MEASUREMENTS
Wearable Length: 17 inches
WEIGHT
20.6g
MARKS
No marks present, tests as pinchbeck
CONDITION
Very good
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