Art Nouveau silver Gibson girl and maiden Necklace

Rare, romantic and at the same time unabashedly defiant, this sterling silver Art Nouveau necklace combines two iconic for the period (yet somewhat conflicting) ideals of female beauty - the well known “Gibson girl” and the “flowing hair maiden”. This is one of the most captivating necklaces I have had for some time but I have the suspicion that it did not start its life as we see it today. I believe that it must have been put together using period elements that would not otherwise have been found sitting side by side. If that is indeed the case, the “marriage” must have been done close to the pieces’ original manufacturing date and it is as successful a blending as possible. What I love about it is the tongue-in-cheek juxtaposition of the down-to-earth smoking “Gibson girl” and the oneiric “maiden” smelling a rose…

Size / Weight: 21” long; the middle “maiden” link with the “Gibson girl” medallion add a 2 7/8” drop; 28.1 grams

Hallmarks / Date: not signed for maker nor hallmarked for metal purity yet all components have been tested and are guaranteed to be solid silver, most probably of sterling quality; 1890s-1900s

Condition: excellent vintage with fantastic patina, a great, sculptural, two-sided Gibson girl medallion and crisp, full of detail “maiden” links; no damage and no repairs noted - just a fantastic, rare Art Nouveau necklace

Inv# 15567