Vintage Operculum Cats Eye on Abalone necklace. Excellent condition.

This gorgeous vintage occult inspired piece is made of opalescent abalone shell ovals with domed operculum shell "irises." Make no mistake, this eye shape is intentional. During the 19th century, superstitious Victorians likened operculum to a cat's eye or a protective eye and soon began wearing jewelry adorned with this eyeball shaped shell as protection from evil and to ward off being cursed by the evil eye (as it is believed that eye-shaped jewelry will deflect and absorb negative energy). The shells on this piece are stunning and incredibly well match in colour and size. It measures 17inches or roughly 42cm long and each "eye" is an inch long. The chain looks to have been repaired or replaced as some of the joining links are brass and some steel. It is unmarked but most likely from the late 19th to early 20th century England. US shoppers find me on Etsy: https://outoftheblueroses.etsy.com/ca/listing/1816847658/vintage-operculum-cats-eye-on-abalone