Featured curious about a gold-filled costume necklace

Well, as some of you know, I am very much NOT a "jewelry person"!

Recently, while helping my daughter go thru her "former life's worth of stuff" (her term, not mine...) I came across this necklace. It used to be mine, and before that, it belonged to my mother.

I was 15 when Mom pulled it out of her jewelry box and gave it to me - specifically to wear to a formal dance (with my new, sapphire blue velvet dress.) Mom said SHE used to wear it, years before. I passed it on to my own daughter when she was a teen.

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone can tell me anything about it. I know it's costume, but I still have a great fondness for it. Does anyone recognize the maker? Have an idea about its age?

I'd appreciate any input!

Thanks!

 

Let's start with family history. What era did your mother wear it in?

Debora

 

I wondered that. Those snake chains are very 80s.

 

1950s or a bit before I'd think from that flat goldtone treatment.

Debora

 

Thank you both for your input! I KNEW I forgot something!

Mom gave this to me in 1969. I had never seen it previously, which suggests that she didn't wear it when I was a kid... (I remember most of her jewelry quite well.)

I've always sort of assumed that she wore it in college, which would mean the late 1940's, but it could have been later, into the early 1950's, too. I don't think it was any earlier or much later than that.

 

Can we see a pic of the back where the chain is attached to the centerpiece?

 

Gauntlett, I believe the 4th photo shows just that...

 

I wonder if the snake chain was original to this

 

I wondered that too, snake looks newer.

 

On first sight I would expect a more delicate chain with that central part, but it all looks original. This specific type of snake chain was already around in the 1940s, I believe.
SBS, it must have looked stunning with a sapphire blue velvet dress.

 

Thank you ALL for your input! I really appreciate hearing what you have to say.

I do believe the chain is original to the piece. It seems too "permanently affixed" to be a replacement. I can't really explain this properly, but it's also "sturdy" enough to allow the central section to sit flat and straight for wearing.

I loved the way it looked - and I still recall getting lots of compliments on it! As I mentioned earlier, I have a great fondness for this piece - even tho it's been tucked away for awhile!

 

From the internet:

"Techniques were also developed such as the manufacturing of snake chain to make gold look chunky while using as little gold as possible. This snake chain or gas pipe as it is sometimes called was used in necklaces and bracelets throughout the 1940s."

Debora

 

Thank you, Debora! That makes good sense to me!

 

I love the look of it. That colour blue is gorgeous. Enjoy!

 

Maybe not so mush newer, . .. as too heavy and incongruous for the delicate nature of the piece.!! To my eye !