Finely facetted cut steel necklace which was undoubtedly formerly a chatelaine. c.1790. Composed of oval shaped links crowded with the finest of cut steel beads and frames. Length 19.5inches. Unusual facetted clasp.
A craze for cut steel jewels and 'toys' swept Europe at the end of the c18th utilising tiny pieces of steel, facetted and highly polished to imitate the scintillation of diamonds especially by candlelight.So expensive and fashionable was steel at this time that Catherine the Great, Empress Josephine and Queen Charlotte were all presented with parures. Mathew Boulton and Josiah Wedgewood leading manufacturers of the day both worked cut steel to great effect.