This is a classic Edwardian négligée - it was popular around 1900, and describes a necklace in which two pendant drops were allowed to hang at different lengths. The name comes from the French négligé, meaning casually or artfully arranged: asymmetry was the vibe, with the drops moving independently against the wearer’s décolletage.
Two fantastic golden citrines appear in an unusual elongated fancy cut, while ten old European-cut diamonds serve to highlight their honey-colored sparkle. To me, most showstopping is the fact that the necklace survives in its original fitted leatherette box, made specifically for this necklace and still holding it in its intended arrangement more than a century later.
MATERIALS: 14k gold (tests), silver, 9mm x 6.5mm oval faceted citrine, 13.5mm x 10mm fancy cut citrines, 10 2.5mm old European cut diamonds, leatherette box
AGE: c. 1900
CONDITION: Very good - necklace comes in its original fitted box
SIZE: 15" length, 2" drop