An 18ct Gold ‘Byzantine’ Convertible Necklace

An 18ct gold long sautoir necklace from the ‘Byzantine’ collection by Lalaounis c.1970s, the necklace 74cm in length and formed of alternating square and circular openwork motifs with stylised Greek-key pattern in heavily textured gold, to a concealed tongue and box clasp. The necklace comes apart to form two shorter necklaces of equal length that sit around the base of the throat. In designing this necklace Lalaounis was inspired by the art of Byzantium, a period during which he believed the goldsmiths art excelled. The repeating geometric pattern of the ancient Greek-key motif is juxtaposed against the modern heavily textured finish of the gold which became very popular during the 1970s. The versatility of this necklace only adds to its appeal, allowing it to be worn short or long, you could even wear both shorter necklaces together, in a contemporary overlapping style.