Dating to around 1820 to 1840 this silver chatelaine chain boasts a pair of silver figural knitting needle guards fashioned as a pair of elegant lady's boots complete with stockings and pantaloons, the chain is perfect for wrapping around the wrist to wear as a unique antique bracelet!
It is such a rare treat to find very old needle guards still together as an original pair, in days gone by knitting needles were double pointed, so guards like these were used to cover the ends so the knitting wouldn't slip off and these are a fabulous example of these charming chatelaine accessories!
The guards are high quality and beautifully modelled with realistic detailing depicting the knitted stockings, the lace of the pantaloons at the top of the leg and the buttoned boots at the bottom, intimate wear was the height of fashion in the Georgian Regency period!
The silver Y-chain is beautiful quality too. A single thick curb chain section at the top has unusual pyramid shaped links so it is a triangle shape and it has a hook at one end. It divides into a double section of flat curb links at the bottom with a boot attached to each end.
We have added a sterling silver heavy duty closed jump ring to the chain to attach the hook to if you wanted to wear this as a bracelet. The ring slides up and down the length so you can position it anywhere you like for the perfect adjustment.
MATERIALS: Sterling silver throughout, acid tested
MEASUREMENTS: chain 15" (38cm) end to end, needle guards 1-1/2" (4cm) high
DATE: circa 1830, late Georgian to early Victorian (the needle guards are unlikely to be much later, these female stockinged legs would have been considered highly improper if not downright vulgar any later in the conservative Victorian era!)
HALLMARKS: we can't see any discernible hallmarks and have acid tested to verify it sterling silver throughout
WEIGHT: 23.7 grams
CONDITION: In very, very good condition with just the expected signs of antique age and light use (the silver engraving on the boots is a less crisp in some areas), please see the photos, any yellowish areas on the boots are just reflections from the lights.
At Mercy Madge we offer distinctive and unique antique jewelry in our carefully curated shop. Each piece is hand selected by us for you. We rarely come across two identical old treasures, once they are gone, they are truly gone!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FREE DELIVERY on all orders worldwide. All orders are despatched next business day and sent with full tracking.
- Unless otherwise stated any antique boxes in our photos are for display only and are not included in purchase. However, do rest assured all items will arrive gift wrapped in a custom Mercy Madge jewellery presentation box.
- RETURNS, you can return your item for a refund for any reason. Just get in touch within 3 days of receiving your order if you wish to do so.
- DISCOUNT, find special discount and no sales tax on our website at www.mercymadge.com
FOLLOW US for our latest antique jewels:
Instagram: @mercymadge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercymadge
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/mercymadge
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MercyMadge
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/Mercymadge