Antique Victorian Carved Mediterranean Coral Dogbone Necklace

I am absolutely enthralled by every single iteration of carved coral "dogbone" beads I come across, but I especially love the older examples, where the shape is less rounded, and more a natural coral branch segment with a carved "waist." I have had many of these necklaces in the past, but this is the longest one I have found with this type of bead, a generous 22 inches. These vibrant, unbelievably well matched orange-red Mediterranean coral beads show the asymmetry and beautiful irregularities of hand carved coral of the Victorian era, before machines and mass production became a part of the coral carving process. This necklace came to me with all of its beads strung, but out of order, and required meticulous and careful measuring, sorting, and organizing to return them to their proper graduated order. Necklace has been professionally restrung, and is in excellent condition, with a new 14k gold clasp. Necklace measures 22" long.