Revivalist Harlequin Enamel Necklace
A rather unusual, colourfully enamelled, antique harlequin necklace (technically a necklet) dating from the mid 19th century; the High Victorian era. Victorian design, jewellery design in particular, often drew from other sources, historic or contemporary. Whether inspired by Japan or Floriography (the Language of Flowers), Egypt or Classical Greece, Nature or Brunel's Engineering, the Victorians loved a theme.
This necklace draws from a number of styles/Eras - Rococo, Renaissance, and Georgian - with flowing abstract sweeps and curls, reminiscent of ribbons or leaves and finished in joyful coloured enamel: powdery greens, blues, turquoise, orange, pink, black and yellow - likely inspired by Harlequin, the comic servant character from the 16th-century Italian commedia dell'arte. Flower clusters decked with pearl 'petals' and a central turquoise cabochon are placed on both upper and lower sections of the pendant, and the colourful enamelling continues on panels around half of the necklace, with a little gold flower in the middle of each. The rest of the chain is an antique cable link fastening with a barrel clasp - likely original to the piece, but if not it's certainly period - and there's the option to detach it and fasten the necklace with ribbon, short as a necklet or choker.
Era: Victorian, circa 1860
Length: 17 inches
Pendant size: 4.5cm by 2.6cm
Stones: Turquoise & Natural Pearls
Marks: None, tested as 18ct gold (necklace) and 9ct gold (chain)
Condition: Great antique condition; light wear consistent with age including minor losses to the enamel
Full appraisal document provided with each item.
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable).
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain).
Shipping
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Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
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[Last updated: August 29th, 2025]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
25% deposit taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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