Exceptional Antique Gold Chain with Natural Gold Nugget Pendant and Pearls 18 kt gold (750‰) – Unique historical piece with transcontinental provenance (United States / Belgian Congo / Europe) This remarkable antique gold chain is an exceptional and singular jewel, combining precious materials, artisanal craftsmanship, and a deeply rooted family history spanning several continents and generations. The piece consists of a solid 18-carat gold twisted chain (750‰), hallmarked, to which is attached an extraordinary pendant made from a genuine natural gold nugget, deliberately preserved in its original, organic form. The ensemble should be regarded not only as jewelry, but as a historic artefact and object of memory. ⸻ The chain is crafted in solid 18-carat gold (750‰) and bears a clearly identifiable hallmark. Its twisted construction and proportions are consistent with early 20th-century goldsmithing, or possibly earlier. According to documented family ownership, the chain belonged to the seller’s great-grandfather. The previous owner was born in 1938, possession of the chain undeniably predates the mid-20th century. The chain has remained within the same family for generations, without commercial circulation. ⸻ The Pendant – A Natural Gold Nugget of Rare Character The pendant is formed from a true natural gold nugget, neither melted nor reshaped, its surface and contours intentionally preserved. Acid testing confirms that the nugget withstands testing up to 21 carats, consistent with high-purity native gold, as typically encountered in primary gold deposits. Natural gold nuggets of this quality were historically valued not only for their gold content, but also for their sculptural uniqueness, often regarded as natural curiosities long before being incorporated into jewelry. ⸻ Historical Provenance and Journey According to family oral tradition, consistently transmitted across generations: • The gold nugget was originally obtained in the United States, through an individual involved in gold prospecting during the early decades of the 20th century. • The nugget was later transported to Central Africa during the Belgian Congo period, at the very beginning of colonization. • At a later stage, the nugget was mounted onto the existing gold chain, already owned by the seller’s great-grandfather, transforming it into a wearable jewel while preserving its raw form. This journey gives the piece a rare and compelling transcontinental trajectory, linking the American goldfields, colonial Central Africa, and Europe. ⸻ The nugget is set with four natural pearls: • Two white pearls • Two green pearls Their deliberate placement, combined with the expressive, anthropomorphic contours of the nugget, creates a striking visual impression often interpreted as a stylized head or skull. This powerful visual identity likely explains why the nugget’s original shape was respected and preserved rather than reshaped. The result is a piece at the crossroads of symbolic jewelry, early ethnographic aesthetics, and the cabinet-of-curiosities tradition. ⸻ A Unique, Non-Reproducible Object This piece is: • Entirely one of a kind • Made from a naturally formed gold nugget, impossible to reproduce • A jewel carrying documented family ownership and historical context No comparable or identical example can exist. ⸻ Condition Very good overall condition considering its age. Minor signs of age consistent with an antique jewel, with no structural damage or modern alterations observed.