DATE: Art Deco, c.1930

A striking Egyptian revival necklace comprising nine damascene panels in varying shapes, depicting various scenes. They're incredibly intricately worked, each panel depicting a different scene, with 24k gold inlays. Created in Japan in the 1930s, riding the wave of Egyptomania inspired by the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922, it's unmarked other than K24 on two of the panels.

Damascene is a technique of creating black contrast, usually with gold or silver, by inlaying oxidised steel to create intricate designs. The term was likely inspired by damask silk, named after Damascus, Syria, where it was produced. Some believe the jewellery technique is likely to have originated in the middle east, before spreading around the world via Muslim artisans. It involves scoring a design into a flattened piece of steel, then adding thin sections of gold or silver wire to create a sharp edge with the steel. Once the inlay is complete, the steel is darkened through exposure to heat, and finished by further etching to the gold/silver. The main regions of production, historically and to this day, are Spain (Toledo) and Japan (where it's known as Shakudō). 

MEASUREMENTS 

Wearable length: 18 inches

Octagonal panels: 1.6 x 1.6cm

WEIGHT 

12.7g

MARKS 

K24 indicating 24k gold inlays. The backs and chain are pinchbeck (base metal)

CONDITION 

Very good, light wear commensurate with age and use. Some of the wire links have likely been replaced over time