Victorian 9ct Yellow Gold Belcher Link Guard Chain

Our classic Victorian 9ct Yellow Gold Belcher Link Guard Chain is 146cm and would look so good around any neck.

These beautiful antique chains were once an essential part of a lady’s apparel. Antique guard chains were long chains sculpted from gold and silver and designed to be used hand the key for the Silver or Tea cabinets. They are substantial enough to be worn as a necklace wrapped a number of times around the neck.

The history of the Guard Chain is Beautiful, Long guard chains were first worn by women in the early 1800s. They were long and light and were draped over the shoulders and caught at the waist with a watch hook or tucked under a belt or in a watch pocket. They were used to carry watches as well as lorgnettes or vinaigrettes, and were described as ‘guard chains’.

Women continued to wear long chains, in the Victorian period but the chains had become thinner and they were worn around the neck. Depending on their use, such chains were also called ‘watch chains’ , ‘lorgnette chains’ or ‘muff chains’. Some had a swivel attachment and some had a slide to allow the drape of the chain to be adjusted.