Necklace, choker-style, of platinum and diamonds. Filigree design. One older European-cut diamond weighing about 2.50 carats, two older European diamonds weigh a total of about 3 carats, forty older European-cut diamonds weighing a total of about .72 carats, and one thousand one hundred and sixty-nine small rose-cut diamonds.
Worn by Mrs. Potter Palmer I, née Bertha Honoré, and subsequently used to decorate a Bes-Ben hat that had since been made to accommodate it. One of the medallions had also been removed and given away. It was subsequently replaced with another medallion, possibly of white gold.
Curatorial Statement
While Mrs. Palmer's clothing dazzled in its own right (formal gowns often featured rhinestones and intricate beading), jewel-encrusted accessories completed many ensembles. Mrs. Palmer received two diamond chokers, or "dog collars" for the Paris Exposition; this one holds 1,236 diamonds. The Museum received this necklace into its collection with a broken clasp. As the clasp usually contains the engraving of a manufacturer's mark, we unfortunately have no way of identifying the maker.
Costume and Textile Collection
