French Drop Necklaces

An Edwardian diamond-set necklace, circa 1910, designed as pierced stylised wings encasing millegrain-set diamond approximately 8ct scrolls and swags in platinum, on a fine-link plat...

Important Chanel Anglo Indian Bib by Maison Gripoix, Paris. Massive scale based on antique Indian Moghul styles, completely hand made with poured glass, faux pearls on a gilt bronze ...

Unusual and striking French Art Deco Bronze Pendant converted from an antique furniture mount. An Art Deco mermaid is beautifully modeled around a star in this bronze pendant. A matc...

Superb and amazing Chanel Poured Glass Orchid Pendant by Maison Gripoix, Paris. Handmade faux pearls with a large Rose poured glass orchid bloom with pend...

Magnificent Chanel poured glass enamel flower necklace. Made by Maison Gripoix of opaline and opal blue glass camellias and camellia buds . Furt...

Massive and important Countess Cis Mughal bib necklace from France, 1950s. Composed of signature molded and carved fruit salad and Gripoix glass cabocheons in citrine and faux jade. Very Good Condition. Unsigned. France 1950's. Length 14" to 16", Drop 3.5". Countess Cis born in Vienna, she started her career in jewelry in 1951 by hand-painting cufflinks and buttons. She was quickly taken up by Pierre Balmain and Jacques Fath and moved on to jewelry in the mid 1950s. She worked for Balenciaga for 14 years, creating jewelry for his couture collections. Her jewelry was also sold through Lord & Taylor (Cis of Paris...

Schiaparelli gilt chain swag necklace studded with citrine crystals throughout. 4 central oval citrine pastes form the focus of this attractive necklace. USA 1950's, design France. ...

Recently Karl Lagerfeld took Chanel's Metiers d'Art's team to Dallas for the Paris-Dallas RTW show. Viewers were treated to a luxurious yet campy mash up of Franglo-American styles w...

Vintage 1970s leather with resin drop necklace created Catherine Noll of France. Brown leather portion measures 19" in length and the strands do have some wear conducive with age an...

A spectacular vintage Boucheron diamond set Delilah necklace in 18k yellow gold from 2010. The necklace has been expertly handcrafted and predominantly features a gathered mesh curt...

Beautiful large regional cross in solid 18K rose gold from the 19th century, guilloche and decorated with flowers in reserve on both sides at the intersection of the arms. these end ...

THIS IS A GORGEOUS FRENCH ART NOUVEAU LOCKET PENDANT IN STERLING SILVER WITH A BEAUTIFUL REPOUSSE DESIGN OF A FLOWER WHICH MAY BE A POPPY WITH GORGEOUS LEAVES. This is just a stunning sterling silver poppy flower motif locket with exquisite Art Nouveau design. The beautiful locket has a wonderfully designed poppy flower on the front. The reverse of the locket is unadorned. The locket opens to reveal places for a photo. The original photo cover is intact. The locket is hallmarked with the French hallmark of the Boar's head for Sterling Silver. The French Art Nouveau jewels are of the highest quality with absolutely exquisite design - this one is so very special. The locket dates to the Art Nouveau period, circa 1890-1910. The listing is only for the locket. The chain is only shown for display. The locket is 1 inch (26 mm) in diameter. With the bales it is 1 1/4 inches long. The locket is hallmarked with the French Boar...

Sensational signed Guy Laroche Necklace featuring prong-set, sparkling Marquise clear crystals and round facet cut Jet stones in a unique Demi-Lune design; Silver finish; approx. 27...

THIS IS A STUNNING ANTIQUE OLD MINE CUT AND ROSE CUT DIAMOND, SAPPHIRE AND PEARL MUSEUM QUALITY FRENCH BEAUX ARTS, NAPOLEON III, BELLE EPOQUE NECKLACE IN 18 KARAT GOLD. THE GORGEOUS NECKLACE FROM FRANCE HAS A STUNNING ROSE FLOWER GARLAND WREATH MOTIF DESIGN AND IS SET WITH OLD MINE CUT DIAMONDS, ROSE CUT DIAMONDS, SQUARE CUT FACETED SAPPHIRES AND NATURAL PEARL DROPS...

Enormous Chinese Butterfly Breastplate necklace by John Galliano for Christian Dior Autumn/Winter 2003-04. This RTW collection follows in the steps of the Spring/Summer 2003 Haute Couture where mad hatter Galliano travels through Asia via the grandeur of the Belle Epoque with the aide of the technical finesse of the Dior HC studios. Silver metal butterflies and star anise flowers adorn this massive breastplate with "Dior" impressed into the butterflies. These motifs are also carried throughout the collection in the form of massive hair pins and rings. Motif 9" wide x 11" long. Chain is 18" with extension 3". 2 spring/antennae are deficient on the outer butterflies. 2003-04 Dior RTW...

Long necklace by Christian Dior under the direction of John Galliano, produced in 1998. The piece is composed of irregular amber resin beads in tones ranging from honey to ochre, int...

Dating back to the first decade of the twentieth century, comes this enchanting French Art Nouveau lavaliere necklace. Delicately hand fabricated in 18K gold and platinum, a graceful...

A stunning Antique Edwardian era, Belle Epoque sterling silver paste pendant necklace. It has a large pretty lavalier style pendant drop suspended from a small length of chain set with old diamond paste stones and a single Amethyst paste, the pendant has a further drop suspended from the base giving it lots of movement and sparkle. The main pendant is attached to a paste jeweled bale on the original fine link sterling silver chain. It has a spring ring fastener. A truly stunning piece of antique paste jewellery...

PENDANT CAMEO, the setting in 750 / °° yellow gold braided and chiseled decorated with foliage punctuated with cultured pearls surrounding a woman in profile on agate, her hair ric...

Early Louis Rousselet pate de verre suite in pale rose pink, amythest and faux pearl florets. Each petal and pearl is handmade and then assembled onto the silver gilt floral bases. T...

This is a rare Art Nouveau Limoges Enamel Pendant in 18 Karat Gold. The magnificent portrait of a woman is signed by the artist Jacques Bonnadier. Bonnadier was a French Enamel Pai...

French origin magnificent Victorian Diamond necklace, 1840 ca Sensual fringe design beautifully hand crafted during the period set with high quality old mine cut Diamonds, effective...

This lovely French modernist bronze choker necklace features five geometric dangling charm elements in rounded free forms topped with green and purple enamel. The piece boasts a nice...

Charming and rare 18th Century Love Token Pendant, hand painted watercolor of angel carrying a red heart, set under glass in a verre eglomise frame...

Rare and important Chanel Maison Gripoix Flower Parure referred to as "Bijoux de Fleurs" when first shown in in 1938 and illustrated in Harpers Bazaar in the same year. Our example w...

A gorgeous 18k yellow gold Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from the Magic Alhambra collection. The necklace comprises of 16 iconic 4 leaf clover motifs alternating in size, set with whit...

Yves Saint Laurent mens/unisex pendant necklace by Hedi Slimane, Rive Gauche 2003 . Composed of silvertoned flat chain with focal red enamel squ...

Recalling the stain glass windows of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, this 18k gold pendant is decorated with plique a jour (transparent) enamel of vibrant colors, separated by gold cl...

Christian Lacroix Paris Massive huge scale avant-garde couture statement necklace c 1980s The extraordinary avant-garde huge scale artisan necklace is designed with a massive rigid silver metal free form chest plate...

France, circa 1860. Length is approximately 17 in. (43 cm) Weight – 121 grams. This exceptional quality Victorian era articulated snake bracelet...

Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond & Colombian Cabochon Emerald Necklace This extraordinary Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is crafted in platinum and 1...

1990s Chanel large simulated pearl and gold chain link necklace. From the time Karl Lagerfeld and Victoire de Castellane were the creative directors for the House in fashion and jewellery respectively. This single strand sautoir simply slips on over the head and has a gold plated and engraved authenticity cartouche stamped Chanel, Made in France. Season '29' corresponds to 1990 as the year of manufacture. This necklace is in superb vintage condition overall. Early Chanel...

Incredibly rare Yves Saint Laurent's Iconic and Early Coral Shell Pendant, Maison Goossens. Large central shell of gilt bronze with cold enamel coral branches accented with crystal p...

Robert Goosens, the French haute-couture Chanel-favorite parurier who enjoyed reinterpreting ancient and antique styles of jewelry with rock crystal and faux stones, also collaborated with Madame Alix Gres. Relevant to this statement necklace, the Parisian theatrical-costume designer, who founded the French fashion-house Maison Gres, commissioned Goosens to make spiral-wire adornments for her couture gowns. This handmade hammered brass wire choker necklace with five dropped en-tremblant pendants is decorated with unique colorful beads and wrapped wire. The piece dates between 1969-1971 based on similar unsigned spiraled-wire metal jewelry without goldsmithing marks in the museum collection of TheMet (see our photo), which acquired it from Maison Givenchy founder Hubert de Givenchy, who was one of most supportive fans of Gres. Like the legendary sculptural clothing designs of Madame Gres, this necklace was inspired by Greco-Roman costumes, while its sculpted shapes by Goosens reference her signature curvilinear fabric techniques that earned her the sobriquet of "the master of the wrapped and draped dress". Goosens (1927-2016), nicknamed Monsieur Bijou, also made jewelry inspired by other periods of antiquity to compliment the couture clothing of Coco Chanel, Cristobal Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli, Christian Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent. After Goosens collaborated with Gres, he revisited golden spiral designs with Saint Laurent. Similar to the free-flowing fabric manipulated in Gres gowns, this hand-shaped necklace that we photographed in sunlight is a study in motion that drapes across a curvy cleavage. Adding drama to this necklace below its wire choker, the top teetering-wire pendant is a twisted and hammered horizontal double spiral, which is a Hellenistic symbol of life and transformation suggesting the breasts of a goddess of fertility and motherhood. Yet distinctly Goosens, 18 hand-cut and hand-dyed "ancient-Roman-blue" rock-crystal beads are wire-strung to weight a second tier of two separate vertical double-spiral pendants. On each, a wrapped-wire tube divides the blue beads. Between these vertical pendants in two tiers, the central vertical pendants each feature a one-of-a-kind multicolor bead (yellow/blue/red/black/white) in two lengths with abstract organic patterns recalling ancient Italian glasswork. Four more blue beads bracket these larger colorful beads. An additional 10 blue beads and 5 wire tubes decorate the bottom looped wire pendant, as well as the bottom of the wire choker. Like the hammered-wire jewelry designs of modern artist Alexander Calder, the creative complex construction of this necklace surprisingly required no metalsmith techniques, such as soldering or casting, just great skill with a jewelry pliers and hammer. For a bigger picture of couture clothing by Madame Gres during the decade beginning in 1969, she notably designed many museum-collected one-color silk-taffeta draped long gowns with empire waists and simple high collars or geometric cut-outs. Remarkably, the focal points for some of these unique dresses were at the wrists, from where long pouf sleeves voluminously droop around the hands to nearly the floor like two enormous long-petaled flowers. If paired with this equally downward-focused and balanced necklace from this same period, its bold Greco-Roman elements would have pulled a viewer's gaze of the dress from floor to face. Although there is no significant provenance for this necklace, hammered brass and tinted rock crystal were among the few materials repeatedly associated with Goosens from 1969-71. For example, in his overlapping interior-decor collections based on themes of waterlilies or foliage, Goosens hammered gilt brass wire and sheets (see our closeup photo) to represent plant parts or he wired rock-crystal beads to appear as tiny fruits. While the two multicolor glass or resin beads in this necklace are atypical, the combination of blue, yellow and red is a palette that the designer used for other pieces of rock-crystal jewelry and he created many kinds of multicolor faux stones with glass or resin paste, such as faux Tibetan turquoise including black and white. According to journalism based on interviews with Goosens, he often acquired unusual stones and glass for inspiration during his extensive travels exploring museum-collected antiquities. Since Maison Goosens was acquired in 2005 by Maison Chanel, it opened the Parisian showroom Galerie Goosens and associated shops to sell many kinds of reproductions and reimagined works by the founder, which fortunately does not suit the completely handmade elements of this necklace. So this couture piece remains one-of-a-kind. If desiring a vintage haute-couture original by Robert Goosens, we recommend perusing the Maison Goosens website so that a reproduction with a contemporary signature is not mistakenly purchased. Madame Gres (1903-1993) was born Germaine Emelie Krebs, but initially identified her fashion designs with the pseudonym Alix and later Alix Barton...

Experience the elegance of this Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Coral, Turquoise and Diamond Necklace Earrings Set, a stunning ensemble that epitomizes the luxury and craftsmanship of the ...

This stunning Christian Lacroix Paris pendant necklace features a silver plate long chain complemented with a dimensional resin heart adorned with crystal rhinestones. Fabulous laven...

Maison Gripoix for Chanel pastille drop long necklace of deep ruby, emerald and amythest oval hand made stations in signature Gripoix poured glass enamel. Sautoir is handmade of fine...

This is the finest example of a French Provincial Wedding Cross I have seen. At its finest, antique paste jewelry was made treating pastes like...

Amazing Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Pate de Verre Tassel Coin Necklace from the 1970's. Maison Goossens manufacture with amazing pate de verre jet beads, gilt fox chain, hammere...

MWLC Purple Lion Paw Scallop Shell pendant necklace from MWLC. The natural shell decorated with a gilt plate bronze fern frond, decorated with pr...

Belle Epoque pin designed by Cartier. Colorful and very rare stick pin made during the Edwardian-Belle Epoque period. This beautiful piece was created in Paris France by the jewelry house of Cartier, back in the 1900. Carefully crafted in two parts made up of solid platinum, yellow and white gold of 18 karats. Embellished with a central panel decorated with engine turned guilloche topped with purple glossy enamel. Accented with thirty-five natural earth mined rose cut diamonds and the settings are finished with millegrain. Diamonds: Mounted in millegrain settings, with 35 old rose cut diamonds, 0.30 carats, G/H color, SI-1 clarity. Weight: 2.35 Grams, (1.51 Dwt). Measurements: 70 mm by 12 mm (2.76 x 0.47 Inches). Hallmarks Stamped with French marks, the maker's maitre mark CA inside a lozange cartouche, the head of the eagle for the assay and warranty of the gold, the four digits serial numbers and signed, "CARTIER PARIS 3840". Cartier The move to the rue de la Paix coincided with a period of extraordinary economic growth and affluence in France and the world. Cartier was also growing and expanding and had started to shift their emphasis from retailing to design and manufacture. Although they produced a small number of pieces in the Art Nouveau style, Cartier paid scant attention to the movement. They made their distinguishing mark in pioneering the use of platinum in creating the delicate and graceful Garland style that came to be associated with the Belle Époque. The discovery of the great diamond deposits in South Africa in the late 1860’s engendered the popularity of extravagant diamond jewelry. The technical advances in the manufacturing of platinum enabled designs of great intricacy, strength and flexibility such as found in the spectacular résille designs of Cartier. (See Edwardian Jewelry: 1901-1915). Cartier marked the beginning of the twentieth century by opening branches in London and New York, where their wealthiest and most dedicated clientele resided. The 1902 coronation of Edward VII occasioned a large number of commissions from England’s leading families. Records indicate that Cartier produced twenty-seven tiaras alone for the coronation and the event was instrumental in convincing the firm to seek a permanent presence in London. Indeed, by 1904 they had achieved their first of fifteen royal warrants being appointed official purveyor to the court of King Edward VII. The London branch came to thrive under the tutelage of Alfred’s youngest son, Jacques Cartier, establishing London based design and manufacturing workshops. Opening a Cartier store in New York was a natural progression as many of America’s wealthiest families and business magnates had been traveling to Paris for some time to purchase their jewels from Cartier. By 1906 Alfred had largely retired and Louis and his brother Pierre operated the Cartier business jointly. One of their first major decisions was to establish a New York presence and workshop in 1909 under the skilled direction of Pierre. Indicative of his business skills, Pierre famously secured Cartier’s present location, an elegant Beaux-Arts mansion at 653 Fifth Avenue, from industrialist Morton F. Plant in 1917. The building changed hands in exchange for $100 and a double strand of natural pearls, admired by Plant’s wife and valued at one million dollars, the asking price for the mansion. While the Fifth Avenue location remains priceless to the firm, when the pearls came up for auction in 1957, they fetched a mere $170,000. (From Lang's with thanks). Edwardian Jewelry This Period was during the King Edward VII, after whom this period of jewelry history is named, reigned over England for only nine years, yet the style of jewelry known as “Edwardian” was created roughly between 1890 and 1920. Edwardian-era rings tend to be larger, opulent pieces, and stacked ring designs were popular. The metal surfaces of the rings were often diamond-encrusted for additional shimmer. Each of these rings is a work of art, showcasing a bygone era of grace, elegance and the royalty the Edwardian era is named for. Guilloché This term is used in fine jewelry or objects de Vertu to enhance the appearance of boxes, frames, brooches, rings or pendants. Guilloché enamel refers to metal pieces that have been given the Guilloché treatment and then covered with a translucent layer of enamel, giving the geometric patterns underneath the enamel a colorful hue. Millegrain This is a jewelry technique which refers to the textural effect of a close-set line of metal beads that are typically used as a border on the edges or bezels of jewelry. Literature: Sotheby's fine jewels, London September 17 1021, Lot 146 for an identical piece illustrated with the original box Collateral: It is accompanied by the original Cartier presentation green jewelry box...

■Item Number: 24010110 ■Brand: Cartier ■Product Name: Diamants Légers Heart Necklace ■Product/Model Number: B7059400 ■Material: 1P Diamond (Approx. 0.14ct), 750 K18 PG Pink Gold ■Wei...

A simple 'sautoir' style necklace, in soft dusky pink mirrored fragments, set in black Talousel resin, from the early 1960s. This necklace dates from the second burst of creativity f...

This absolutely beautiful antique pendant was crafted during the Belle Epoque era from solid 18k white gold and features old cut diamonds neatly set in a drop dangle style, bringing ...

Philippe Ferrandis Gripoix Cross CrossNecklace. Another spectacular Handmade Creation from Phillipe Ferrandis. The colors are bold & iridescent The colors in green, purple and shades...

This is a stunning and very rare antique Art Nouveau - Art Deco French Devil and Cicada Insect Bug Pendant Necklace in Bakelite or the French form Galalith with Venetian Glass beads....

A vintage sapphire and diamond convertible tiara necklace. An exceptional vintage sapphire and diamond convertible tiara and necklace set, ...

Extraordinary 1930's Haute Couture Leather Gingko Bib with pastes and gold bullion of French origin. Unknown designer, completely handmade. Gold leaf leather gingko leaves fall from ...

Color Blossom celebrates the Monogram flowers, this stunning authentic 36-inch-long necklace is by Louis Vuitton from the Color Blossom Sautoir Collection, it is crafted from 18k pin...

Van Cleef and Arpels Emerald Necklace Beautiful Pear Emerald and gold necklace featuring 7 pear shape certified Columbian emeralds. Ac...

Platinum Burmese 25 Ct Ruby No Heat Necklace to His Majesty Qaboos Bin Said Estate Qaboos bin Said Al Said was Sultan of Oman from 23 July 1970 ...

Edgy mixed material black metal modern necklace with drop pendant from Philippe Ferrandis.

French Green Aurora Stone Necklace from the 1980's. Unusual green aurora emerald cut stones are used simply for a cool abstract splash of color. Pendant 3" x 3". Chain 22". France 19...

Original 18 kt. White Gold Cartier Necklace From The Meli Melo Collection with Moonstone and Aquamarine Gemstones: diamonds and semiprecious coloured stones The centrepiece is acce...

Karl Lagerfeld and Maison Gripoix for Chanel hand knotted faux baroque pearl, gilt bronze filigree square byzantine pendant with Gripoix glass poured enamel ruby cabocheon. Gilt chai...

HENRY Necklace of hand carved and patinaed resin set with ruby pastes.The pendant hangs from ruby pate de verre and faceted aurora beads. Unusual ru...

Extraordinary and iconic Maison Gripoix for Yves Saint Laurent nautical themed necklace. Of gilt plate bronze and coral Gripoix poured glass enamel ship an...

Chinese style YSL pendant necklace on magenta purple silk cord and tassel. Pierced medallion set with multicolored Swarovski crystals and abstract gilt mot...