Victorian Slide Chain Necklaces ... to Wear or Collect


Slide chain necklaces were originally worn by Victorian women as a way to carry their pocket watches or glasses (lorgnettes). These chains, which are generally quite long, came in solid gold, gold-filled and occasionally silver. Victorians were known for mixing form and function in jewelry, so slide chains were very versatile and worn in a number of ways. To keep the length under control, the end piece can be tucked into a pocket or clipped onto a belt or sash. The slide can be used to adjust the length slightly. 

These are some Victorian ladies wearing long chains in the 1880s or so. (Photos from our store inventory of Victorian Cartes d'Visite and tintypes.)







Slide chains had a brief resurgence in the mid-1900s. Today bib or festoon necklaces are quite popular. The chain can be worn doubled up and clipped in the center to create a festoon style look. A pendant can be added to the clip. Another simple way to wear your slide chain is to double it up, adjusting the length of the loops to give a layered look.

When the craze for these long chains diminished at the turn of the century many slides were gathered and worn as bracelets or shorter watch chains. It’s a nice look … old but new.

Bracelet made from Vintage Slides (not in stock)
Slide chains in their various incarnations have been a popular jewelry collectible for many years and the popularity remains today.


Above is a Slide Choker ... a variant because it is a short necklace. 14K Gold, Swiss Enamel with a Gold-filled Chain $695.00


These are some of the Gold-Filled Slide Chains ... 36" to 50" Chains ... all $95.00 each

Mid-century Slide Necklace Lavaliere ... 14K Gold ... $155.00

This is another variant ... a Watch Chain with a Slide for Men ... Gold-Filled ... $95.00

Still another variant where the slide is on a bracelet. (not in stock)
Most of these are available on our Antique Site. All are available in our Los Gatos Shop.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hi! I'm Buster Brown. I live in a shoe....

Image
Do you remember Buster Brown shoes? I do. I also remember watching the Buster Brown TV show ... Smilin' Ed's Gang and later Andy's Gang. The shoes were "special." Back in those days I went to Catholic school and the nun's required us to wear shoes ... I mean real shoes ... "oxfords" we called them. Mom bought us Buster Brown shoes 'cause they would last the whole year! The advertising line for Buster Brown was: Hi! I'm Buster Brown. I live in a shoe.  That's my dog Tige. He lives in there too! The Brown S hoe C ompany has been around for over 130 years. Today they also market Famous Footwear and Naturalizers, and they are a contract manufacturer for other shoe brands.  But they are most well-known for the Buster Brown line of shoes. In 190 2, cartoonist Richard Outcault introduced a new comic strip character, a mischievous little rich boy named Buster Brown and his dog Tige. Two years later, at the 1904 St. Louis W...
Read more

Old Lava Stone Church in Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii

Image
Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii On our recent vacation to the Hawaiian island of Kauai, we stopped in to this wonderful old church. We had seen is many times, but this was the first time we stopped to look inside. Wow! The hand-carved altar and communion rail are gorgeous! The stained glass windows are equally as beautiful. The Christ Memorial Episcopal Church is located just off the main highway in the town of Kilauea. It is still an active mission church, with services on Sundays and Holy Days. According to the church's website: There is also an interesting history attached to the church itself. As early as 1888 worship services were held in Kilauea ... By 1924 the time had come for a permanent church in Kilauea ... In 1939 the Kilauea Sugar Company deeded the churchyard to Christ Memorial Church and gave the native stone used in the erection of the present building ... The graveyard surrounding the church dates back to the earliest days of ...
Read more

Rosaries, Prayer Books & Religious Medals

Image
It's the time of year when Christians, Catholics in particular, celebrate post Easter rituals like first communion and confirmation.  And June is known as weddings month!  At Vintages we always have a nice selection of vintage religious items like rosaries, medals of saints and the Holy Family, prayer books and pocket shrines.  Below is a sampling of what is currently available. Rosaries with beads of crystal, sterling silver, olive wood and molded glass.  We even have a few that have reliquaries included. Rosary cases, holy water fonts, little plaques with holy pictures and ecclesiastical sayings. Wonderful old miniature prayer books, first communion mementos, and a new testament bible from the early 1700s. Religious medals, pocket crucifixes and shrines.  In addition, we have a large selection of crosses.
Read more