Very Long Victorian Pinchbeck Longuard Chain with Albert Clip

Name: Very Long Victorian Pinchbeck Longuard Chain with Albert Clip
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA961495
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Corvidae Antique

Description

This highly desirable very long early Victorian guard chain is a beautiful rich colour, looking for all the world like an 18- or even 22-carat gold. The chain is a closed loop with an Albert-style dog clip perfect for attaching a pendant, crucifix or locket. Because of the lack or wear, the gleaming finish and the excellent colour we believe it to be made of pinchbeck.

Pinchbeck is a gold substitute, now collectible in its own right, originally made to a secret formula devised by Christopher Pinchbeck in the early 18th century. It is an alloy of copper and zinc, like brass, but uses much more copper and less zinc than brass. Although pinchbeck can tarnish over time it does not wear in the same way as other materials such as gold plating or rolled gold. You don’t often find pinchbeck items made after about 1840 - as nine-carat gold became legal, enabling people to buy less expensive gold jewellery, and electro-gilding was invented (a kind of gold plate), pinchbeck fell by the wayside.

The clip is marked NCR Co.

In excellent antique condition.

Length: Approximately 60 inches. The clip is around three-quarters of an inch, or approx 2cm.

Width: 4mm.

Weight: 26.7g.

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Physical Dimensions

Height

0.4cm (0.16")

Width

152cm (59.84")

Depth

0.4cm (0.16")

Declaration

Corvidae Antique has dated this piece to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA961495

Dealers Notes

Antique and vintage boxes photographed are for display only and are not included unless stated in the description.

Please be sure to examine all the photos carefully as they form part of the description, and do feel free to ask if you have any questions, we’re always happy to help where we can!

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DELIVERY OUTSIDE THE UK: Free for purchases over £125. For purchases below £125, shipping to addresses outside the UK costs £20. All international deliveries are sent via Royal Mail's Tracked International service.

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Description

This highly desirable very long early Victorian guard chain is a beautiful rich colour, looking for all the world like an 18- or even 22-carat gold.

“

The chain is a closed loop with an Albert-style dog clip perfect for attaching a pendant, crucifix or locket.

Corvidae Antique

Because of the lack or wear, the gleaming finish and the excellent colour we believe it to be made of pinchbeck.

fig 1. Very Long Victorian Pinchbeck Longuard Chain with Albert Clip

Pinchbeck is a gold substitute, now collectible in its own right, originally made to a secret formula devised by Christopher Pinchbeck in the early 18th century. It is an alloy of copper and zinc, like brass, but uses much more copper and less zinc than brass. Although pinchbeck can tarnish over time it does not wear in the same way as other materials such as gold plating or rolled gold. You don’t often find pinchbeck items made after about 1840 - as nine-carat gold became legal, enabling people to buy less expensive gold jewellery, and electro-gilding was invented (a kind of gold plate), pinchbeck fell by the wayside.