19th Century Gold Long Chain19th century long gold chain, in 18k gold. Elaborate gold basket links. Best worn layered. French hallmarks. Circa 1880. Measures 53. 5" in length. The longchain rose in popularity after the Napoleonic Wars, when precious gems and metals were in short supply, as they could be produced from thin gold sheet and worn in a variety of ways draped across shoulders, tucked into belts or pinned at the corsage to create eye catching festoons. The linking