84cms Rare Old Silver chain, from Kerala, Sth India, in the Malabar region. Kerala lies along the Malabar Coast and is statistically the most well-off state in India, highly productive and well-watered and with the lighest literacy rate in the country. It was exporting spices, in particular pepper, 3000 years before the Roman Empire, and in the time of Augustus had strong commercial links with not only Rome, but with Egypt, western Asia and Ancient China.
There was always wealth around Kerala and especially around the ports of the Malabar Coast, and the skill of the craftsmen and artesans of the region reflects that. The above 84cms Rare Old Silver chain is an example of that craft: well-made, nicely finished and of high-grade Silver. The ornamental wire-work laid down on the two end caps of the chain illustrates pride in work, attention to detail.

When this sort of chevron-link chain is first created, the links are tight together; it takes time and wear to loosen. The above 84cms Rare Old chain is extremely flexible. Though obviously much worn in its previous life, it is offered here in excellent condition, everything original save for the “S” clasp, and this itself is a faithful handcrafted reproduction of the type of traditional clasp that originally fastened it.