Magnificent French vintage 18K sphere gold ball necklace

For sale a very beautiful necklace made of 18K gold balls. The necklace shows a warm shimmer and the gold balls have a rare mirror like surface which look like pearls.  Their texture very smooth and soft, making them extremely pleasant to be touched. The necklace shows a rare harmony in the design, proving a refined craftsmanship. The necklace weights over 16g.

In France, we call this type of golden sphere necklace “collier Marseillais” (The Marseille necklace). Initially, the idea of ​​buying gold balls was born around the 18th century: people threaded them on a simple black thread and kept them on them permanently. Depending on their availability in terms of purchasing power, they bought more or less large balls.

But the thread being fragile, they got into the habit of connecting the balls with a gold wire.

In the 19th century, the custom spread among the bourgeoisie so that women from Marseilles meeting outside Marseille recognized themselves by wearing the Marseille necklace. In the old days, when a young girl was born "from a good family", the parents opened a "list" of Marseille necklaces to her at the family jeweler. Thus, on occasions such as birthdays, getting good grades at school or Christmas, parents or friends could order a new golden ball which was added to the others. When all the balls needed to make the Marseille necklace were gathered, the jeweler assembled them and the young girl could then wear it.

This corresponded in most cases to the anniversary of his sixteenth birthday.

Measurements and Condition

In very good vintage condition, align with its age.

Several 750 Hallmarks on the clasp of the necklace and it is also numbered as well.

Weight: 16.34g

Length: 41cm/16.1 inches