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Chain Necklaces

The beauty of an antique chain necklace lies in its air of eternity. This quality, combined with the relative ease of manufacture, made chain link necklaces an attractive type of adornment early in the ancient world.

These first chains, made from simple loops of gold or silver, were popular among the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean as a symbol of affluence as well as eternity. Over time, the chain links became increasingly refined, with jewelers developing different link gauges, or sizes, as well as discovering ways to dangle pendants or beads from individual loops.

Over time, the chain link necklace evolved into a wide variety of chain link styles, from the simple trace link, which consists of delicate rounded rings, to the more intricate herringbone, in which links are woven together to create a luminous, seemingly liquid strand of metal.


Quick Facts

  • Surviving ancient Roman and Egyptian chain jewelry from the 5th-7th centuries A.D. includes the more complex body chain styles. These extended necklaces wrapped around both the neck and the torso, literally wrapping the body in lustrous gold
  • In addition to signifying eternity, the chain also became a symbol of strength and industry. Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci, for example, was known to sketch prototypes for chain links amid his designs for engineering innovations
  • Also during the Renaissance, Venetian jewelry designers developed a link style made from thin gold wire rings that were joined and then looped through another set to create a woven or mesh motif. This technique, originally known as “entrecosei,” is better known today by its simplified cousin, the Venetian link chain

Recommended Items at Auction

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14k Gold Box Chain Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
14k Gold Box Chain Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$8520 Bids
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Yellow Tone Base Metal Necklace
Mar 05, 1:00 PM EST
Yellow Tone Base Metal Necklace
by Market Auctions
Est: $25- $50
$35019 Bids
AN 18CT GOLD CHAIN; cuban links to a parrot clasp, width 3.2mm, length 40cm, wt. 9.96g.
Feb 20, 3:30 PM AEDT
AN 18CT GOLD CHAIN; cuban links to a parrot clasp, width 3.2mm, length 40cm, wt. 9.96g.
by Lawsons
Est: AUD600- AUD800
AUD85016 Bids
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14 KT GOLD MILOR CHAIN
Feb 19, 12:00 PM EST
14 KT GOLD MILOR CHAIN
by R Howard Collectibles
Est: $150- $200
$7014 Bids
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Ecclissi Sterling Silver Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Ecclissi Sterling Silver Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$3610 Bids
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14k Gold Chain Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
14k Gold Chain Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$509 Bids
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Sterling Silver Chain Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Chain Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$408 Bids
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Sterling Silver Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$128 Bids
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Antique 9ct yellow fancy link gold chain
Feb 23, 12:00 PM AEDT
Antique 9ct yellow fancy link gold chain
by Lugosi Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD400- AUD700
AUD7007 Bids
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14k Gold Italian Box Chain Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
14k Gold Italian Box Chain Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$317 Bids
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14k White Gold Chain Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
14k White Gold Chain Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$307 Bids
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Sterling Silver Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$96 Bids
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Sterling Silver Box Chain Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Box Chain Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$165 Bids
A good antique long and thick sterling silver curb link chain, C: 1900, L: 78cm x 4mm
Mar 02, 7:00 PM AEDT
A good antique long and thick sterling silver curb link chain, C: 1900, L: 78cm x 4mm
by Lawsons
Est: AUD400- AUD600
AUD605 Bids
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18K Gold Chain Necklace
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
18K Gold Chain Necklace
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$1005 Bids
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Sterling Silver Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$124 Bids
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Sterling Silver Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$144 Bids
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Sterling Silver Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$304 Bids
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Sterling Silver Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$184 Bids
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18k Gold Rope Chain 18" Long
Feb 22, 9:00 AM EST
18k Gold Rope Chain 18" Long
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $200- $300
$5004 Bids
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Sterling Silver Box Chain Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Box Chain Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$33 Bids
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Sterling Silver Necklace
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Necklace
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$93 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chain Necklaces


Berner's Auction Gallery

Berner's Auction Gallery

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Matthew Bullock Auctioneers

Dawsons Auctioneers

Dawsons Auctioneers

Pfeffer's Auctions

Pfeffer's Auctions