Known by various names, such as Momo, Cerasuolo, and Satsuma, this vibrant variety of precious coral is found in the deep waters off the coasts of Japan and Taiwan, and is notable for its white cores, known as "souls." This spectacular example of a carved dogbone necklace uses this feature for a bit of dramatic, unusual visual flair, with the beads cut so that the white "soul" creates a dot on both ends of the dogbone shape. This type of carving uses more material in order to create a uniform, visually pleasing effect, and would have been a more costly alternative to other carving techniques. Though the coral itself is sourced from Asia, the beads themselves were almost definitely carved in Italy, most likely in Naples/Torre del Greco. This necklace is longer than most examples of coral dogbone necklaces, and this unusual length dates it to the Edwardian era, not Victorian.
Necklace measures 25", and has been professionally restrung on silk cord. The necklace was originally fitted with a mismatched modern clasp, which has been replaced with an antique low-karat (below 9k) rose gold spring ring clasp. The smallest beads measure approximately 0.25", and the largest bead measures just under 0.5".
