Featured Is this a Max Neiger Necklace?

I found this Czech necklace today at a thrift store and am wondering if it could be by Max Neiger. I saw something similar on eBay that had the same clasp and was identified as Neiger (I realize that doesn't mean it is). The clasp is probably not unique to Neiger pieces. How would I describe the design of this necklace?

 

Does the "O" on the back of the brass piece mean anything? I noticed the necklace is missing a little blue bead next to the clasp. I may have something similar in my stash, but am wondering if it's safe to unbend the brass wire, or could it break?

 

It’s gorgeous. I can’t chime in on the Neiger but I have not seen anything like it from them. Others that are more knowledgeable will chime in.

 

That was at a thrift store!!? Holy cow! What a gorgeous, amazing piece. Speechless!

I don't know whether Neiger or not but definitely of the era, and I would think similar $ value. A treasure found!

If it was me I'd probably just leave as is with the tiny missing bead since it's way in the back by the clasp. If you open up that brass wire you are going to have to un-bend it a fair amount to get a new bead to slip over. You could try it, but run the risk of that wire snapping or becoming difficult to return to it's original shape if it gets a 2nd bend in it. If at any point you found a similar piece of old wire with matching patina, maybe you could give it a try as you'd have a back up if it broke.

Maybe camp out at that thrift store for the next week.

 

Lucille, your explanation and advice about working with the existing wire is great...you convinced me not to take any chances with it unless I have a piece like it with the same patina. I do have some raw brass bead pins that have an aged finish, so I might experiment with one of those if I can find a matching blue bead--or, if/when I sell the necklace I could send the extra bead and wire along with it for someone else to use.

When I bought the necklace at my favorite thrift store ($8.98+tax) I didn't realize it was marked Czechoslovakia until I got home. It's one of the few thrift stores in my area where I still run across "real vintage" jewelry. But they're more aware of values now than they were a year or two ago (except for this necklace). There were two thin bakelite spacer bangles (nothing special) in the jewelry case that would have been $1.98 each a year ago, but today they were $8.98 each and even had "bakelite" written on the price tag (I didn't buy them)--so I don't have much hope for finding anymore bakelite bargains there.

 

I’m Kinda shocked the recognized Bakelite. I still fight myself trying to recognize it. Lol.

 

I don’t see the missing bead!!

 

I'm not seeing Neiger characteristics. But it's a super thing.

 

It is a beauty, but I'm not seeing Neiger either.
I wonder if it is slightly older than Neiger jewellery, especially older than the time Max joined.

I wouldn't mess with it. The fact that it is missing a small bead is hardly noticeable, and as Lucille said, you run the risk of damage (for a tiny bead).

 

Its a beauty! I m no expert at Neiger but it could very well be, although I m dure it would not affect value if it isn't.
I agree with the others: its not worth the risk of damaging for such a small bead at the back

 

I own a Neiger that has a far worse flaw:
(But I got it for free because of it)

 

I plan on restoring it with the Japanese gold-coloured glue someday (forgot the name)

 

Dessert, that is a good one, and very Neiger. Pity about the bead, but if you got it for free, no complaints from this Dutch girl.

Kintsugi.
I'm sure it would look cute, but... is regular glue not an option? Too many chips maybe? Or is it just something you like the idea of. Maybe start a new fashion.

 

Flipping heck, the beads on that alone have serious value.

 

Absolutely.
I would probably see if I could find a replacement, or make it into a necklace using all the beads and with that unbroken mummy sarcophagus as a central pendant.

 

Any Jewelry...I suppose I feel its a bit my fault it broke...I bought it for 1€ And some shipping costs and the seller just tossed it in an envelope without any protection whatsoever. So the necklace obviously broke and I got my money back.
Maybe, if I hadn't been such a cheapskate the necklace would not have been broken.
So if I repair it with Kintsugi, maybe it will help me not feel bad everytime I look at it.
I hate it when beautiful things get damaged.

 

Any Jewelry, I might try to find a replacement.
I m not in a hurry

 

It's not your fault. The seller could have shipped it in a padded envelope or added some padding. But at least you got your money back, which is fair.

I have had jewellery go missing by choosing the cheap shipping option, so I've learnt from experience as well. Now I usually pay for tracking, which is a bit more, and ask the seller to pack it well.
The thing is, when something good is cheap, you don't want to alert the seller to the fact that it could be worth more. But better safe than sorry, I think we are not the only ones who have learnt the hard way.

 

Oh good. Kintsugi is fun, but this is a special piece.
Will you let us know the result? Doesn't matter if it takes years.

 

I'm perplexed at the low level (or total absence) of scholarly detective work folks invest in their items before they sell them.But happy for all you educated buyers who reap the profits of this ignorance.
To me,the hunt & research is the true joy.
The classic 'big fat check/payoff' is a necessity,but it is strange how many humans are immune to beauty.
Great finds !