Antique Georgian Pinchbeck Long Chain / Muff Chain Circa 1820
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Glorious and long Georgian ‘Pinchbeck’ Prince of Wales triple twist chain dating to around 1820.
With original ornate barrel clasp set with four Turquoise glass stones. The clasp does not open and seems to have never had the ability or mechanism to do so.
Superbly crafted, these triple link Prince of Wales type chains are naturally all completely handmade, the detail and precision is stunning. It feels and looks beautiful around the neck, very present on, not too heavy but quite substantial.
In very good condition for its age, with the colour of soft 15 carat hued gold.
So very versatile, can be worn long or doubled around the neck with ease, and can be part of an incredible #neckmess!!
“Pinchbeck is a form of brass an alloy of copper and zinc, mixed in proportions so that it closely resembles gold in appearance. It was invented in the early 18th century by Christopher Pinchbeck, a London clock and watchmaker.
History of Pinchbeck
History of Pinchbeck
"Since gold was only sold in 18-carat quality at that time, the development of pinchbeck allowed ordinary people to buy gold 'effect' jewellery on a budget. The inventor allegedly made pinchbeck jewellery clearly labelled as such. The original Pinchbeck was made by Christopher Pinchbeck and his decedents until the 1830s.
The family kept its exact formula a secret, but others guessed the alloy's two components and began to experiment with their own mixes, some more successfully than others.
Others tried to pass off jewellery made from their own formulas as gold, but the Pinchbeck family always made it clear that their metal was a substitute. Over time, the term Pinchbeck was often used generically to refer to all types of gold substitutes.
Today the term is widely used to describe original Pinchbeck or gilt metal from other producers from this era.
Pinchbeck fell out of use in the second half of the 19th century being replaced by low carat gold which had been legalised in the in 1854”.
A true piece for the collector, this Pinchbeck chain is a survivor still giving us the enjoyment of her beauty today.
STONES
Turquoise glass
MEASUREMENTS
120cm long
WEIGHT
61.33 Grams
CONDITION
Very very good, entire chain and all links with no apparent repairs, rejoins or solder.
Clasp does not open nor appears to have every opened, however these is the the tiniest ‘dulling’ to pinchbeck/gilt where round link attaches to barrel clasp. (See photos) Only noting for accuracy as this absolutely does not detract from this chains beauty.
