Karen Smith, a contemporary American artisan, refers to herself as a "knotter of miniature tapestry adornments." She designs knotting patterns in washable nylon thread and integrates them with gemstones. This particular necklace is composed of a serpentine dragon carving with amethyst, turquoise, black onyx, jade and goldstone beads. It is hand signed Karen Smith '06 on the back. It is a remarkable and outstanding artwork! I measures 28" end to end (measured using the inside string of beads).

This early Valentino Garavani necklace has a single strand of irregular black glass beads. They are 5/8" (1.5 cm) in diameter and are hand knotted. Including the clasp, the necklace is 17 1/4" (44 cm) long. The center tassel hangs from a pave gold metal ring that holds a black enamel ring that holds the pave and black enamel top. From the pave ring to the black beads at the bottom, the 16 strand tassel is 6" (14.5 cm) long...

Fabulous statement size heavy couture link necklace by long time Chanel jewelry designer Robert Goossens, made under his own line of jewelry. 1980s or early 1990s. Marked GOOSSENS on the metal tag on the extender chain, and GOOSSENS PARIS on the clasp. Weighty and substantial shiny goldtone metal with brilliant Swarovski strass rhinestones. It weighs 272 grams. 18 inches wearable length and 1 5/8 inches wide at center. Excellent condition and all stones are brilliant and better than the pictures...

Elegant and dramatic Judith Leiber. Flat chains support beautifully designed panels which are chunky and very three dimensional. Judith Leiber signature is on the reverse side. Length from clasp to bottom of pendant is 18 1/4". Pendant width 1 7/8".

Fabulous statement size vintage 1980s tribal style necklace by Italian designer Donatella Pellini. Black glass beads with dark silvertone mountings suspend a large pendant with huge faceted faux amber bead and an ornate repousse two sided drop. With smaller matching amber bead. Marked PELLINI at the screw barrel clasp. I am also listing two separate pairs of Pellini earrings which coordinate with this necklace, from the same estate. Pictures are not capturing this fabulous weighty piece...

Dramatic sterling silver necklace featuring 5 lock escutcheons and 2 keys, by noted designer Jessica Kagan Cushman. Necklace length 17", pendants vary in size, each roughly 2" x 1 1/2". Signed on attached tag and on backs of pendants with designer's initials. Necklace and pendants are sterling, unmarked, but guaranteed silver...

Gorgeous hand made necklace, possibly a studio piece, with clusters of briolette cut colorless rock crystal drops, and large black onyx beads, with hematite drops and beads, and sterling silver toggle clasp, strung on fine wire. It weighs 260 grams. 19 1/2 inches wearable length and 1 1/4 inches wide. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.

I have said in the past that Erika Hult de Corral is one of the few designers in the world of Mexican silver jewelry for whom I will cross the 1980 threshold without second thoughts. I believe that her talent and the quality of her work combined with the fact that she is one of the few known female contributors to the country’s 20th c. Silver Renaissance more than warrants the… “transgression”...

Spectacular unusual vintage couture necklace, probably 1980s, in dark silvertone metal with a variety of large multi color glass stones in different shapes, all prong set, with hook clasp and extender. With a center chain form riviere with clear stones and attached large stones in blue, olive green, teal green, red, purple, and topaz, along the sides. The largest stones are openback and unfoiled. Not sure of the origin of this piece -- possibly Italian or French. Substantial at 111 grams...

A veritable show-stopper, this fine, .950 silver Mexican pendant combines brutalist elements with a classic Aztec Revival, beautifully carved obsidian "mask". Signed by Fernando Alvarez Mendez Mateo of Taxco, it was crafted in the post-1980 period yet is exhibits such craftsmanship, I wouldn't have been surprised if I had found an Eagle mark on it...

Chic statement 1980s Stephen Dweck chunky statement necklace with large carved beads including gray agate, leopard jasper, citrine, smoky quartz, carnelian, carved horn, and Chinese or Japanese carved wood ojime style beads with stylized reptiles. Bronze clasp marked STEPHEN DWECK. Strung on thin flexible wire. 17 inches wearable length and 1 inch wide at center. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.

Fabulous 1980s signed Monies torsade necklace with multi strands of coconut shell beads, with many attached drops in clear Lucite, pale yellow Lucite, carved coconut shell, carved wood, and also with natural seashell drops, with Monies signature style carved dark brown horn hook clasp. Marked GERDA LYNGGAARD MONIES on attached metal tag. 16 inches wearable length and 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.

Gorgeous vintage 1980s French necklace in heavy cast goldtone metal in a burnished matte finish. Very dimensional, detailed, and finely finished. Marked VERONIQUE CHERANICH PARIS. Designed in the Etruscan or barbaric revival style popularized by long time Chanel jewelry designer Robert Goossens. This is possibly a Goossens design. Box slide clasp. 16 inches wearable length and 1 3/8 inches wide. Excellent condition. Display form is life. Photos enlarged to show detail.

Fabulous statement size modernist French necklace with a fixed pendant mounted in sculpted dark silvertone metal with a large carved horn drop, on a beige gray fabric cord with matching hook clasp. Marked LA TRIBU RIGAUX (The Tribal Queen) and FRANCE. Circa 1990. Wearable length is 23 inches and the center drops 4 1/2 inches. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.

Gorgeous big statement 1980s necklace in soft goldtone metal with wired deeply textured balls and very ornately detailed bamboo form oversized hook clasp with decorated chain and decorative tab. All surfaces of the elements very finely finished and detailed. The elements are hollow and made in segments. The piece is weighty and substantial at 191 grams. French, based on the design and construction. Great size -- 19 inches wearable length on inside strand and 2 inches wide. Excellent condition...

Chic signed 1980s necklace by Gerda Lynggaard for Monies with clear Lucite closure and black fabric strands, in a lariat style which can be worn several ways. Marked GERDA LYNGGAARD MONIES. Wearable length is up to about 18 inches and the drop is up to about 10 inches. The clasp is 3 inches wide. Excellent condition. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to show detail.

Gorgeous very big statement size 1980s couture necklace with an asymmetrical cascade of pale creamy beige shells with a soft matte finish, strung on matching cord and on a cord wrapped collar with silvertone extender chain and hook clasp. The top front has two matching shell buttons on either side of a large center shell. Probably Italian...

Gorgeous huge signed Escada necklace in heavy shiny cast goldtone metal with fired enameled flower form drops in very pale green with small white center cabochons that feel like plastic. Marked ESCADA. This piece was issued in 1992. Weighty and substantial at 293 grams. 16 1/2 inches wearable length and the bib drops 3 inches. Excellent condition with some finish loss at the clasp only, from storage, pictured but will not be noticeable when worn. Display form is life size. Photos enlarged to sho...