RARE! Antique 18k and Opaline Maltese Cross Pendant, in box, c.1780-1810 Cannetille, Hair Memento Locket

RARE, cannetille jewelry was made during only a short period, late 1700s. Extremely intricate gold work, Georgian era. The white semi-opaque stone is chalcedony, cut in whale-tail form to create a Maltese cross of sorts, set into elaborate cannetille-work of 18k gold. Very early piece, you see a locket casing in back into which a plaiting of hair would have been housed. Rare and spectacular goldsmith’s work, as you can see. Not many remain, and the prices keep them in only finest collections, museum collections. Pricing mine way below market owing to the hairline. It will include the camelback Victorian display box, which dates much later, mid-1800s. 

Very good to excellent with one flaw notable. One of the chalcedony bits at the very bottom has a hairline crack. Otherwise, this is a perfect piece of 250+ year old fine mourning jewelry. Still could be worn, displayed, very rare!