1981 CHANEL By Robert Goossens Vintage Long Sautoir Crystal & Pearl Byzantine Necklace

REF: CVC180401201-PFR0326

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A very rare, stunning collectible statement CHANEL by Robert Goossens Long Sautoir crystal and Baroque faux pearl necklace dated 1981. This rare necklace features gold tone bezel-set with clear polished rounded crystals and creamy Baroque faux pearls linked in a long chain necklace/sautoir. Featuring a series of bold, round clear crystals and Baroque faux pearls, each one is carefully set into a luxurious gold-plated chain, creating a striking contrast that draws the eye.Interspaced faux byzantine style pearls. The elongated design offers versatile styling options, perfect for elevating both casual and formal suits, can be worn, long, double or triple strands style as per photos. A “Must-Have” rare to find collectible statement piece, a long CHANEL sautoir byzantine style in your wardrobe for timeless elegance! Styled in the photos with two CHANEL Cuff Bracelets an iridescent cuff, a Four Leaf clover Bracelet, a CHANEL Vintage White Jacket Blazer Gold Buttons Short Sleeved 1995 and with a CHANEL Vintage Bag for sale separately under BAGS-HANDBAGS, ACCESSORIES-BRACELETS & WATCHES, CLOTHING-JACKETS.

The story Behind: ROBERT GOOSSENS FOR CHANEL

Monsieur Bijou was the moniker given to Robert Goossens, a French jeweller who lived from 1927 to 2016. He was born in Paris, France, the son of a metal foundry worker. During his jewellery-making apprenticeship, he learned the techniques of casting, engraving, and embossing semi-precious and simulated stones into gold and silver metals. Robert Goossens combined genuine stones with fakes, artificial gems with semi-precious for clients such as Coco Chanel, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Madame Grès, Christian Dior, and others during his decades of making fine jewellery. Robert Goossens’ designs were highly inspired by paintings and objects in Paris museums, with Maltese, Byzantium, and Renaissance works providing the most inspiration. After restoring a cross that belonged to Madame Chanel, he made rock crystal his favourite material. Robert Goossens was the first to incorporate it into jewellery, believing that its delicate and affordable qualities were ideal for costume jewellery. Bronze, shells, pearls, polished and natural rock crystal, and other materials were used in his necklace, brooch, bracelet, and earrings designs.

Collaboration with Maison Chanel
Robert Goossens started working with Coco Chanel to design jewellery to complement her fashion designs in 1954 when he developed the Byzantine style. Chanel was known for fusing the wealthy and the poor, and Robert Goossens’ designs were no exception. He produced emerald-set silver and gold plated rings, moon earth pendants, and crystal Byzantine crosses for Chanel and other crystal jewellery. After Chanel’s founder’s death, Goossens continued to work with the house, collaborating with her successor Karl Lagerfeld on costume jewellery for the house’s ready-to-wear and couture collections in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2005, Chanel purchased Goossens’ workshop.