Edwardian platinum and diamond Lavallière necklace
A very fine Edwardian platinum and diamond Lavallière necklace. Composed of a delicate handmade chain sustaining a double old-cut diamond pendant. 1910 c.a. The longest pendant is 4,5 cm. The chain is 60 cm c.a. Old-cut diamonds weighting 1.25 carats each colour L, clarity VVS2.
Deliziosa collana in platino con diamanti detta Lavallière. Composta da delicata catena rifinita a mano e da un pendente con due diamanti taglio vecchio per 1.25 carati ciascuno, colore L, purezza VVS2. Lunghezza del pendente più grande 4,5 cm. lunghezza della catena 60 cm circa.
Lavallière necklaces were in vogue from 1900, consisted of a stylized knotted motif supporting pendants of uneven lenghts. Its name derived from the French actress Eve Lavallière, whose former occupation had been that of tying ribbons in a hat factory . the cravats which were produced in this way were called lavalliéres and that provided a stage name for the actress. . they were usually set with pearl and diamonds.
Le collane dette Lavallière erano molto in voga nella prima metà del XX secolo, solitamente portate insieme a collane a strangolino (chockers/collier de Chien) o rivières di diamanti e perle. Il nome deriva dall'attrice francese Eve Lavallière che precedentemente aveva lavorato in una ditta di cravatte e fiocchi chiamate appunto Lavallière