BEYOND EXQUISITE! Future family heirloom.

VTG LOUIS ROUSSELET FRENCH EXQUISITE Amber Hand-Cut Crystal Beads, featuring Filigree Findings incl Bead Caps —NECKLACE with an Elegant Multi Strand Chain Swag. Bears the French Iconic Threaded Beehive Barrel Clasp and all washed in luxurious Matte Gold. Circa 1920.

Measures - 17” Plus 3.5” Drop. BEADS - 14mm x 20mm

In EXCELLENT condition.

ABOUT THE MAKER

Louis Rousselet (1892-1980) - French beadmaker and jewelry designer. Famous of his art glass beads, imitation pearls and Galalith beads that were worn by the famous women of that time. In 1920, he founded his own workshop, specializing on imitation pearls and glass beads. He founded his business in 1926 at 18 rue des Pavillons in Paris. Chanel became one of the first clients followed by Dior, Lanvin, Schiaparelli, Jacques Fath, Balenciaga, Balmain...

Every glass bead was formed by hand, wrapping hot glass around metal mandrel. Often these beads were given baroque shape to resemble natural stones (imitation turquoise, marble, quartz etc) with each bead different than other. Glass pearls were coated with a fish scale compound - essence d'Orient - less coatings giving a semi-transparent look and many coatings creating a thick pearlescent surface.

"...it took six or seven years to train workers, an expensive procedure which came to an end when the last trained worker retired in 1975..." quote from illusionjewels.com. The workshops employed up to 800 people.

After the purchasing Persan-Beaumont company, Rousselet started to produce metal work in variety of colours and forms including pin packs, stamped filigrees, different clasps, bead caps etc. Combining these with glass beads and wire work techniques defines Rousselet style. Louis Rousselet jewelry had paper tags, but sometimes a phrase "Made in France" stamped on metal findings. There are also some box clasps that had additional initials "LR".

GOOD LUCK!!