I'm thoroughly frustrated by this piece! Five strands of small freshwater pearls (a little more rounded than the usual sort). The clasp is sort of a filigree box clasp but rounded on both sides. It once had a gold wash, now almost completely worn away and it looks like pot metal of some sort or maybe iron. Anyone see this clasp before? It may be that the tongue is a replacement - I really can't tell.
When I first saw the necklace, my immediate thought was Georgian (mostly because the pearls are drilled on the horizontal rather than vertical), but that clasp has thrown me into confusion! ANY help dating would be so much appreciated! And if you have any idea what kind of pearls they might be, I would love to hear your ideas
