Victorian Silver And Garnet Necklace. Finely Crafted With A Wonderful Old Patina. Approximately 17" Long And 3/4" Wide. Very Elegant. Marked On Clasp "G.A.S" For Scheidt - Austrian. Gold Wash (Gilt) Around The Garnets. This Is An Example Of The Finest Quality Of The Period. Circa 1890.
An Internet Search Has Provided The Following Details:
As to Georg Adam Scheid: born 1838 (in Schönau, Germany), active since 1858 in the Viennese workshop of M. Markowitsch. Married one of Markowitsch’s daughters and joined the company, which was renamed Markowitsch & Scheid. The two separated in 1882, after that Markowitsch & Scheid was owned by Adolf Markowitsch alone (a son of M. Markowitsch, this company shut down in 1898), Scheid continued on his own, his company was named “G.A. Scheid”. He produced small silver ware and jewellery. In 1884 he opend up his own affinery (“G.A. Scheid’sche Affinerie”), which became very sucessful, which branches in various countries. Scheid retired in 1911 or 1912 (looks like he died in 1913), in 1920 the company “G.A. Scheid” merged with Ludwig Rainer (another affinery) in Vienna. Production of jewellery and silverware was given up at the end of 1922, the remaining workmen joined the Scheid’sche affinery. The affinery continued to exist and merged in 1952 with L. Rössler to form the “Ögussa GmbH”. Maybe it still exists today. http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9582
The Scheidt Company was founded in 1862 in Vienna, Austria, and was most famous for fine enamel on silver. The firm presented their artworks at the world exhibition in 1900 in Paris. Gold medallions were presented to Georg A. Scheidt in commendation for his fine work and artistry. The company also realized designs from famous artists of the period such as Koloman Moser and many other designers from the Wiener Werkstätten. Georg A. Scheidt also created military medals for the top brass in the Austrian Imperial Army. http://www.rubylane.com/item/700271-lgv1337/Guilloche-Enamel-Cigarette-Case-G-Scheidt