Set with oval-shaped colored stones including peridots, grossularite garnets, pink topazes, aquamarines and chrysoberyls, framed and spaced by rose-cut diamonds, length 14½ inches, with French assay and maker's marks, one rose-cut diamond missing; circa 1880.

In good condition. The peridots are a bright medium slightly yellowish green, transparent and moderately included with 'lily pads' inclusions which are typical of the material. The chrysoberyls are a medium to medium light soft yellowish green to yellow, transparent and moderately included. The pink topazes are a crisp bright medium pink hue, transparent and moderately to heavily included. The aquamarines are a soft medium light greenish blue hue, transparent and lightly included, primarily with abrasions to the facet junctions. The garnets are a medium to medium dark brownish orange hue, transparent and moderately included. The diamonds are of decorative quality. All stones are foil backed and display bright color associated with this setting style. The reverse of the mountings are gold and exhibit fine engravings in a swirl pattern.Maker's mark and hallmark on clasp tongue. Please note two diamonds are missing, not readily apparent when worn. Please note that we believe this necklace to be circa 1880, not circa 1820 as stated in the catalogue
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Illustrations in the catalogue may not be actual size. Prospective purchasers are reminded that, unless the catalogue description specifically states that a stone is natural, we have assumed that some form of treatment may have been used and that such treatment may not be permanent. Our presale estimates reflect this assumption.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Quincy Adams Shaw was a substantial businessman, having invested in copper mining, and an important figure in Boston society. He was born in in Boston in 1825 and named for his father's friend John Quincy Adams. Educated at Harvard, he lived in Paris in the 1850s, where he became part of the artistic world and began collecting. He bought Old Master paintings and Renaissance sculpture, but conentrated on tht then contemporary French school, particularly the works of Jean-François Millet. In the course of his life he acquired 26 paintings, 27 pastels and three etchings by Millet. He later became a major benefactor of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. In 1894, he gave them a substantial gift of Old Master drawings and after his death and that of his wife in 1917, his Millet collection was transfered to the museum. His children continued in his footsteps so that there are now more than 100 items in the Museum of Fine Arts collection with the Quincy Adams Shaw provenance. For a biographical notice see the exhibition catalogue Quincy Adams Shaw Collection. Italian Renaissance Sculpture. Paintings and Pastels by Jean Francois Millet, Boston, 1908, pages 1-4.