Carved Coral Bead Necklace with 18ct Gold Clasp | Italian c.1880

A striking antique necklace composed of intricately hand-carved natural coral beads, each featuring a distinctive hobnail texture that reflects the artistry of late 19th-century Italian craftsmanship.

Likely carved in Naples around the 1880s, these richly colored coral beads display a vibrant orange hue with subtle natural variation, adding warmth and depth to the piece.

The textured surface is not a natural feature but a deliberate decorative carving - a traditional technique designed to catch the light and elevate the coral’s organic beauty.

Finished with an 18ct gold barrel clasp, this necklace measures 38cm in length and wears beautifully against the skin.

A bold and tactile example of Mediterranean heritage jewellery, still radiating energy nearly 150 years on.

Available exclusively at ELTONS, Grays Antique Market, Mayfair, London.