A late nineteenth century boxed swag necklace, formed in silver gilt and composed of a series of graduated pierced, shaped panels forming a choker designed to be worn with a ribbon tie to the reverse and suspending a series of swag drops, choker length 12 in, vertical length 8 in, 70 grams, with original fitted case, circa 1870. 

The late Victorian period, from 1880-1900, was a time of great change in society at large, as well as in the aesthetics of jewelry. Elaborate ostentation in both dress and adornment gave way to refined simplicity. With the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859, silver became widely available for use in jewelry. Styles favored light colored jewelry set in silver, and some progressive women did away with daytime jewelry altogether. Necklaces featured fringes and festoons, and wide chokers worn high on the neck also became popular. The advent of electric lighting late in the century further solidified the use of diamonds in jewelry, often set 'a jour,' or open-backed, to take advantage of the enhanced lighting available in the evening.