A beautiful gold and diamond ‘arabesque’ gas pipe necklace by BOUCHERON PARIS.
Paris, circa 1945-1950
Signed : Boucheron Paris.
French maker’s mark and French assay mark.
Weight: 93 gram
Dimensions: 37 x 1 cm.

Literature:
CHAZAL, G. & CHAZAL, M., Bijoux Parisiens : French Jewelry from the Palais Royal - Paris, Memphis, Tennessee, The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 2013, p. 216, cat. 273

“In 1935, Cartier offered a gold “gas pipe” necklace made entirely of joined gold rings. Conceived by Jacqueau, the design was taken up by all the other jewelers and was progressively ornamented with clips, either geometric or floral-shaped, with more or fewer gems attached, according to the year. In his ca.1937 drawing for the Gas Pipe Necklace, Jacqueau proposed a structure made entirely of gold. This flexible tube doubles back on one end to create a loop surrounding the removable clip at the other end, and clasping the necklace. The clip is also in itself an artful extension of the “gas pipe” concept.
After the Second World War, these “gas pipe” bracelets and necklaces enjoyed wide popularity, even as they underwent stylistic changes… the clips for necklaces and brooches would become ever more precious, realistic and three-dimensional. Over time, they tended to employ stronger curves and color harmonies.
The elegant, diamond-studded arabesques that Boucheron added to their Gas Pipe Necklace (cat.273) in 1945 would help to erase the privations of the dark war years.” (CHAZAL G. & CHAZAL M., Bijoux Parisiens, p. 211-212)