Antique 1880s Italian necklace with hand carved hobnail coral beads and 18ct gold barrel clasp, laid flat.
Victorian 1880s Italian coral necklace with carved hobnail beads and 18ct gold clasp, coiled display.
Close up detail of hand carved hobnail coral beads from an antique 1880s Italian necklace.

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

£1,500
£1,500
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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 coloured coral beads display a vibrant and warm orange hue with subtle natural variation.

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 sits flatteringly against the skin around the collar. As chic today nearly 150 years on.

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