This is an interesting 1950s C.A.I (Celtic Arts Industries) Iona Silver brooch probably made by the Scottish silversmith, John Hart after an earlier design by Alexander Ritchie.
This is a very rare vintage Scottish silver necklace - and features a string of silver confronted sea serpents. You more often see these sea monsters used for earrings, brooches, and occasionally on a bracelet - but I have never seen them used in this way in a necklace before.
I think that this one might have been made by John Hart using earlier moulds from Ritchie's Iona workshop. It is marked Iona / Sterling / Scotland and each serpent is marked to the back with the C.A.I. mark.
The C.A,I. mark relates to the Celtic Art Industries - which was set up by Hamish Dawson-Bowman in the 1950s with silversmiths John Hart, as well as MacCormack who was apprenticed to Alexander Ritchie.
This one is finely cast with crisp detail, There are 5 pairs of confronted sea serpents (so 10 in total). Each confronted is 1.7 cm in length. The necklace measures 41.5 cm in overall length (16 1/2 inches). The serpent section is 25 cm in length (9 3/4 inches). The chain has a ring catch as photographed.
A special piece of Scottish silver, nearly 100 years old - obviously if it had been stamped AR - it would have had a much higher price tag. For a marked Iona piece from the 1950s / 1960s, it is on offer here at a fair price - you will not see another one readily with this fantastic mythical creatures / Celtic design.
It is in excellent condition and is clean and ready to wear. It will be sent in a nice gift box for you to keep safe in your collection of vintage Scottish jewellery.
Postage in the UK - will be capped at £4.95 - but we shall send it to you with Special Next Day Delivery so that it is fully insured in transit.