Antique seed pearls

[mollymoo]

I have this seed pearl rope necklace, it was given to my great grandmother on her wedding day in 1912 and I don't know if it was a new gift or handed down. I also have no idea of the current value.

 

[GemGeek]

Wow - it wins the award for the most seed pearls in one necklace! I would love to see a photo of someone wearing it. It's definitely valuable. Have you tried searching online sites like Ruby Lane or Lang's Antiques?

 

[mollymoo]

Wow - it wins the award for the most seed pearls in one necklace! I would love to see a photo of someone wearing it. It's definitely valuable. Have you tried searching online sites like Ruby Lane or Lang's Antiques?

I cant find anything like it at all online. I will try and upload a photo of it being worn x

 

[pattye]

Oh terrific! Here you are with your wonderful necklace! How long is it? What country were your great grandparents living in? Any other stories handed down about the piece?

 

[BAS]

Also, could you please take close-up pictures on a white background (like white paper towel) so we can see the details of this piece -- tassle caps, knots, strands? Thanks!

 

[mollymoo]

They were in England x

 

[mollymoo]

Just measuring and counting and estimating there are are at least 20,000 pearls on this necklace x

 

[Marianne]

Molly, you have an exquisite treasure there! Thanks for posting the additional photos.

 

[mollymoo]

Also, could you please take close-up pictures on a white background (like white paper towel) so we can see the details of this piece -- tassle caps, knots, strands? Thanks!

I have added more pictures now

 

[JerseyPearl]

What an absolutely gorgeous heirloom you have. Do you have any photos of your great-grandmother wearing the necklace? What an elegant woman she must have been. Regardless of their value, you have a real treasure. I would recommend taking the piece to someone who specializes in antique jewelry appraisals for a determination of their value.

 

[GemGeek]

Can you get a closer photo of a small section? Do you have a macro setting on your camera (little flower)? It's an amazing piece!

 

[mollymoo]

Thank you, I have uploaded a picture of her wearing them on her wedding day, you can not see them very well sadly but it gives an idea x

 

[mollymoo]

I will see what I can do, just charging the camera batteries x

 

[BeadersSecret]

Wow wow and wow! They are lux and I'm so jealous.
I love the fact that they have a wonderful history and you have a gorgeous picture of your great grandmother wearing them.

 

[Caitlin]

I agree with everyone, Those are very, very special and unusual in their utter abundance!

They look a bit dusty. Though the thread probably would survive a soak in cold water if it was carefully laid out in a lingerie bag with a very careful drying still in the bag, I would hesitate to do anything, including wearing them. It would be a very major job to restring them even though they are not knotted.

 

[JerseyPearl]

How lucky you are to have such a wonderful photo of your great-grandmother! Thanks for posting the photo...that is a treasure in itself.

 

[MSC]

what a strand!
second what Caitlin said on the restringing.

 

[Nora]

By chance I found this portrait with a similar style. There are differences but this might help determine the period.
It was painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence around 1800 and was posted by J&W Russia on FB

 

[SevenOranges]

Mmmmm.....I'd love this !

 

[mollymoo]

That's great thank you