Jewel beetles

An extraordinary jewel beetle necklace, circa 1870. In 1863  Godey’s Lady’s Book reported that the ‘ornithological and entomological fevers’ in fashion would ‘continue with increased violence throughout the winter’. This referred to the  widespread Victorian craze for wearing exoskeletons, where fashionable ladies utilised the iridescent green wing-cases (elytra) of jewel beetles strung together as beads, embroidered onto muslin gowns, or mounted in gold as jewels. This high carat gold Etruscan Revival necklace is set with exotic, vibrantly iridescent metallic wing cases of jewel beetles. This unique combination of the art of the taxidermist and the art of the goldsmith was at its height in the third quarter of the 19th century.  The necklace is in its fitted case from Edwin Ward, 60 Wigmore St. Edwin Ward was a member of the famous Ward family of taxidermists and received royal patronage. The necklace is 16 inches in length and the largest beetle in the centre is 1 and 3/4 inches long. The necklace is cleverly constructed with a rigid gold centre supporting the beetles so it sits well on the neck. How it has survived in such prisitne condition is remarkable. For a similar example of beetle jewellery from the era, see Lady Granville’s beetle parure in the British Museum.

sold
Item ref : AR1

in fitted Edwin Ward case

Lady Granville’s jewel beetle parure in the British Museum above