Miriam Haskell Silver-Grey Baroque Pearl & Russian Gold Necklace

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Vintage Miriam Haskell Six Strand Silver-Grey Baroque Pearl and Russian Gold Links Necklace | Stunning Collectors, Piece | Rare & Unusual

This very distinctive Miriam Haskell necklace is a beautiful example of the intricate workmanship and quality materials that are the hallmark of this celebrated American jewelry designer,s creations from the 1950s and 1960s.

The four metallic link-chains at the center of this piece were probably finished with ,Russian Gold, (a secret formula that actually contained genuine 24-carat gold) and sit between two rows of silver-grey faux baroque Niki pearls that are each separated by two gold-toned spacers. At each end, the six strands are attached to a triangular piece of filigree work. An oval Miriam Haskell signature plaque is attached to the back of one of these pieces, while the front of each (which is shown at the back of the neck when worn), has a three-petal gold-toned "flower" with a pearl center.

The hook is signed ,,MIRIAM HASKELL,, and is decorated with an eight-petal ,,flower,, made from pearls/beads as petals.

This piece has aged beautifully, with the metal showing a slight dullness and patina, and the pearls proudly displaying the wear that would be expected of a piece that is about 60 years old. These visible signs of aging add character and elegance, providing an understated beauty that takes decades to create.

ABOUT HASKELL,S USE OF NIKI PEARLS
In their seminal book on Miriam Haskell jewelry, Cathy Gordon and Sheila Pamfiloff write the following about the glass pearls she used in many of her earlier pieces:

“From the 1920s until the late 1950s, glass beads were purchased and sent to Clio Novelty Company in Brooklyn or to Pongratchi on Long Island where they were “pearlized”; dipped and coated in an emulsion of fish scales…Both smooth and baroque pearls were made in a variety of shapes…The pearls people most consistently associate with Haskell’s Signature look came from the Niki Company of Tokyo, Japan. ...[Frank] Hess [Haskell,s creative director at the time] visited the firm and was so impressed with the quality of the glass bead pearls he licensed Niki to be the exclusive supplier of baroque and smooth pearls to Haskell. For Haskell collectors, this is a benchmark date; any piece of jewelry using Niki pearls cannot be older than 1958.” (pages 32-33)

SUMMARY:
** MAKER: Miriam Haskell (Oval Miriam Haskell signature plaque on the strand housing and "MIRIAM HASKELL signature on the hook)
** PERIOD: 1950s
** MATERIALS: Goldtone base metal, Niki glass faux pearls
** CONDITION: Fair vintage condition, showing wear and some flaking to the pearls as well as weathering of the metal components — however, this is commensurate with age. Despite this, it is a rare beautiful find.
**INTEGRITY: Stringing in good order, all beads and links intact
** CHAIN LENGTHS: Shortest strand 38 cm (15") plus 7 cm (2.7") extender for a total length of 45 cm (17.7")
** DROP: Distance from the first strand to the sixth is 2.5 cm (1")
** WEIGHT: 93 g
** SHIPPING WEIGHT: 500 g

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IMPORTANT: This is a pre-owned vintage item that may show wear commensurate with age. The photographs, physical dimensions, and weight form an integral part of the description of every piece we offer. If you have any questions, please ask before ordering.