French Art Deco Scarab Festoon Necklace in Special Alloy, First Half of the 20th Century

This Art Deco necklace from the first half of the 20th century in France is crafted from a special alloy called "Gun metal." "Gun metal" was a significant functional alloy during the 19th-century industrial era, primarily composed of copper with added tin and zinc. It boasts excellent corrosion resistance, castability, and hardness. The alloy derived its name from its initial use in manufacturing cannons and firearms. After oxidation, the surface of "Gun metal" often exhibits complex deep gray or even blue-black tones. Its low reflectivity creates a distinct visual texture, different from precious metals, and it is a material less commonly applied in the realm of jewelry. The piece features a Festoon design, with curved lines connecting circular endpoints on each side, adorned with beads of varying sizes. A scarab beetle motif forms the central focal point. Below the scarab, a teardrop-shaped pendant hangs, creating an asymmetrical length characteristic of a "Négligée necklace." The scarab motif belongs to ancient Egyptian visual language, which saw a resurgence in popularity in Europe during the early 20th century with the "Egyptomania" trend. This is closely linked to the Egyptian Revival style sparked by the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. These Egyptian-inspired elements were often combined with geometric compositions and symmetrical structures during the Art Deco period, representing a contemporary interpretation of ancient imagery. The overall design merges festoon structure, negligée pendant, and Egyptian elements, showcasing the intricate synthesis of structural and iconographic vocabularies in 1920s jewelry. The piece is in good antique condition, displaying normal oxidation and signs of wear. It is a century-old antique, not a new item. Origin: France Era: First half of the 20th century Material: Gun metal Dimensions: Scarab 1.9x2.7x0.3 cm, chain length per side 21 cm, central pendant (including scarab) 2.5x8.0x0.3 cm Weight: 17.50g Condition: Good antique condition, showing normal oxidation and signs of wear Item Number: NA003_2601 Important Notes: Antique jewelry refers to pieces "over a century old." Items less than a hundred years old are classified as vintage or second-hand jewelry. All antique jewelry sold by Icing Cheng is accompanied by a brand certificate of authenticity, detailing the piece's era, materials, and other specifications. We offer a full refund if the item does not match the certificate. Prior to sale, each item's condition is meticulously documented using photographic equipment to ensure members are fully aware of any flaws or signs of wear. These photographs form an integral part of the product description. Therefore, we kindly request that members carefully assess their purchase intent before checkout. Once the checkout process is completed, due to the unique nature of our offerings, we regret that returns or exchanges cannot be accepted for any reason, including minor imperfections or wear commensurate with age. We urge members to confirm their purchase decision thoroughly before checkout to prevent any disputes. Shipping Information: Enjoy "complimentary shipping on any jewelry purchase" for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. All shipments within Taiwan will be sent via registered post by the Post Office. If registered mail is inconvenient, please specify your preferred convenience store pickup (7-11 or FamilyMart) in your order and provide the store name or code. Shipments to Hong Kong and Macau will be sent via SF Express.