Antique Long Guard Chain with Hand

A 35-inch 15k yellow gold textured belcher link chain with an exceptional figural hand clasp, English, Georgian era circa 1800–1840. The large rolo links are engine-turned with a fine engraved star motif — just gorgeous goldsmithing!   The clasp is the focal point: a sculpted gloved hand, its cuff set with a channel of rubies and a small emerald ring on one finger, rendered with crisp, charming details. This is a fede motif — from the Italian word for faith — a symbol of loyalty and devotion that runs through centuries of sentimental jewelry, from ancient Roman betrothal rings to Georgian mourning pieces. Intact Georgian chains with original figural clasps of this quality are super rare — most were broken up and reworked long ago. This one survived exactly as it was meant to be worn. This chain is one of the finest antique chains we have the pleasure of owning: Long guard chains — sometimes called muff chains — have been around since the Georgian era, when women wore them looped through fur hand warmers (muffs) to keep the chain from getting lost in the folds of their skirts. The logic was practical: you had something valuable, you needed it close. By the Victorian era the muff had largely fallen out of fashion, but the chain stayed. Worn doubled over the neck, clipped to a watch, a lorgnette, a vinaigrette, or simply draped as jewelry in their own right, guard chains became one of the great multipurpose accessories of the 19th century. 18kt Yellow Gold 35" in length 8.25mm Wide Hand Measures: .96" L x .33" W 51.2 Grams Please see qualitative report for more information.