A rare and beautiful Regency negligée necklace in 18ct yellow gold, c.1830–1840. The negligée is a distinctive necklace form of the early 19th century, characterised by two asymmetric pendant drops suspended at different lengths from a central ornament — the offset arrangement giving the piece a deliberately casual, unstudied elegance that was considered the height of fashionable refinement. Here, the centre is formed of an exceptional round section of gold detailed with fine enamel work and a ruby at the centre, from which two teardrop pendants are suspended offset, each set with turquoise and rose-cut diamonds — possibly later additions, but entirely sympathetic to the original design. The combination of enamel, ruby, turquoise and rose-cut diamonds is quintessentially of the period. Tests as 18ct yellow gold.

The Details

• Circa: 1830–1840
• Length: approx. 56cm (22 inches)
• Hallmarks: Tests as 18ct yellow gold
• Stones: Ruby (centre), turquoise and rose-cut diamonds (pendant drops)