Mike, thank you so much for opening this topic and The Royal Watcher and J-F for posting the pictures.
Frankly, I love sautoirs or long chains.
We have discussed the turquoise necklace with heart pendant some years ago at another board and in 2018 The Court Jeweller gave some interesting pictures and information.
http://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2018/09/queen-julianas-turquoise-heart-necklace.html It is definitely a statement piece which suited not every woman. But for Maxima do it easily.
Indeed, I don´t understand sautoirs quite came out fashion. They don´t need the big event but could have worn in suitable designs at every opportunity. Unless you are looking for something between the seats and tear them up. Bad experience. Oh yes, and be careful with the soup ...
By the way long chains have been worn the whole 19th century. As here a special form
https://www.gogmsite.net/_Media/1820alexandrafeodorovna-2.jpeg I´ve found a lot of variations, for pearls has been the extremely expensive version. An old and timeless piece is this:
https://www.hancocks-london.com/product/a-georgian-long-gold-chain-necklace-with-turquoise-clasp-copy/ and I´ve found accidential a very similar chain, perhaps from the same workshop:
https://www.bentley-skinner.co.uk/london/jewellery/46897-a-long-georgian-gold-regard-chain/ At times there was no limit to the length. This is long, indeed:
https://www.sjphillips.com/object/848621/0/early-20th-century-spectacle-set-old Certainly, highly effective when looped several times around the neck.
A nice portefolio you can find at S.J.Phillips.
There is no doubt that there are still many sautoirs in the safes. Queen Mary wore long chains at times, some of which may still be found. Hopefully.
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Hello !
Interesting topic.
I think that at a certain era, what was called sautoirs was very long necklaces, most of the time made of one or several ropes of pearls.
When I think about long sautoir of the beginning of the 20th century, I have Queen Margherita of Italy (very famous for her pearl sautoirs) and Empress Zita of Austria who had a very long pearl sautoir.
In most recent time, I think we can talk more about 'long necklaces' than sautoirs beeing worn.
Hereditary Princess Stephanie pearl long necklace is a good exemple.
I think we can add to this, the long (diamond ?) chain necklace worn by Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece in Denmark, during Crown Prince Frederik’s 50th Birthday Gala in May 2018 and Queen Maxima, wearing a long necklace of gold, opals and diamonds during visits in Australia and India.
Thanks and have a good week-end !
J-F