Antique Gold Long Guard Chain Necklace

Director’s Notes

Long guard chains emerged in the early 19th century as jewels that were both elegant and practical, designed to carry watches and other small personal objects such as lorgnettes or vinaigrettes. In their earlier form they were worn from the shoulder to the waist, later in the century they were more commonly worn long around the neck, where the chain itself became part of the line of dress. Their appeal, then as now, lies in that balance of beauty and utility. Worn full length, doubled or layered, the long guard is distinguished by its versatility, a quality that has ensured its continued relevance well beyond the fashions of its time and become a timeless jewellery classic.