Parisian Pearl Beaded Necklace with Black Oval Cameo Anatomical Heart Pendant

A rope of pearls that refuses to behave, dropping into a long Y at the throat and finishing in a single black oval cameo. There is something of the rosary and something of the boudoir in it, devotional and decadent. Handmade in a small Paris boutique.

The cameo has adorned necks since antiquity, prized by Romans and revived obsessively by the Victorians as a token of sentiment and status, while the long pearl sautoir is pure twentieth century romance, a Belle Epoque and flapper era favorite. Pairing the two on a hand strung chain is a quietly clever bit of styling, old world symbolism worn long and loose.

Estimated era: contemporary handmade piece in an antique inspired style.

Materials: faux or cultured pearl style beads, metal chain and findings, black framed oval cameo pendant.

Features: long Y drop (lariat) silhouette, central oval cameo, hand strung beading.