Yamanaka Art Deco triple strand cultured Akoya pearl, sapphire & white gold necklace in original box
An original 1920's cultured Japanese Akoya pearl necklace. This excellent quality 43cm (17 inch) necklace is made from 6.3-9mm perfectly round white Akoya pearls with a thick nacre, shining luster and cream overtones. The longest strand is 19.25 inch, and the strands hang slightly apart when worn. The pearls have been cleaned and newly restrung in the original manner onto double threaded white silk, with knots placed between the end pearls.
The necklace has its original clasp; a 9 carat white gold box clasp set with white and blue sapphires. The clasp is not hallmarked but has been professionally restored and the gold and sapphires were tested.
The necklace is complete with its original brown crocodile-patterned, fitted red velvet and silk lined box. The outer edges of the box have signs of wear in keeping with its age. The box is stamped "Yamanaka & Co Ltd. 127, New Bond St. London W".
Sadajiro Yamanaka (1866-1936) was born into a family of antique dealers in Osaka, he moved to the USA and opened Asian art dealerships in New York (1895), Boston (1899), London (1900) and Chicago (1928). The Yamanaka Gallery was at 127 New Bond Street, London from 1900 to WW2. Yamanaka was not only a well-known connoisseur and dealer but also made significant donations to Japanese and Chinese collections in major American and European galleries. In 1915, the Yamanaka gallery in London hosted the British Red Cross Loan Exhibition. Yamanaka & Co also gave assistance to the International Exhibition of Chinese Art at the Royal Academy in 1935-36. He was granted a Royal Warrant by George V in 1912.
This is an extraordinary opportunity to buy an Art Deco antique pearl necklace from a historic gallery, which would have been particularly highly prized in the 1920s.