Vintage Czech Camphor Glass Beaded Necklace

Vintage Czech Camphor Glass Beaded Necklace

Camphor glass gets it's name from the chemical counterpart, a resin from an evergreen tree that used to be sold in pharmacies of the old days as a first aid antiseptic and an after-shave for nicks for the gentleman.  Sold in square blocks of translucent white resin, it looks just like etched glass.

This necklace is quite old, probably from the 1920s and believed to be of Czech origin.  It measures almost 16" long.  The larger beads are carved. etched and strategically polished to create the clear circles that surround each bead.  The large Camphor Glass beads are 9/16" in diameter.  The small Carnelian (reddish brown)  ones are 1/4" in diameter.  It has been re-strung at some point and clear roundels added to the ends to increase the length.

The original clasp is in place, it opens well but one needs to make sure as the spring does not close all the time.  As a purist, I prefer the original state of the jewelry so I did not re-string and change the clasp as the as found cord is in very good condition.

Circa 1920s, in very good condition, there is no damage to any of the glass beads that I can see.

SKU1506