Antique Chinese Sterling Silver, Carved Carnelian And Coral Pendant Necklace.
This lovely antique necklace dates to circa 1910 and features an 18 3/8-inch sterling silver chain of flat oval links suspending a 1 1/2 x 1 1/2-inch pendant of silver, silver filigree, red coral and pierce-carved Carnelian. The 40 x 30-mm (1 1/2 x 1 1/8-inches) Carnelian gemstone is carved in a fruit, flower and foliage pattern, with a weeping cluster of solid and filigree leaves and flowers and a fluted, bell-shaped blossom with a 4-mm coral bead in its center - a very beautiful and rhythmic composition. The necklace closes with a stamped "Sterling" spring-ring, the other silver parts test positive for sterling silver and the necklace is in excellent condition, measures 18 3/8-inches long plus a 1 3/8-inch drop to the bottom of the pendant and weighs 18.2 grams.
Carnelian, a hard, durable gemstone suitable for carving, is a reddish-orange form of Chalcedony that has been used for jewelry since antiquity.