What is a sautoir necklace?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
A sautoir is an extremely long necklace, longer even than rope length, that falls well below the waist and terminates in a tassel, pendant or decorative end. The name is French and the style was at its most fashionable in the early twentieth century, particularly during the Edwardian and Art Deco periods when long ropes of pearls or platinum and diamond chains were the height of elegance. A sautoir can be worn straight down the front, knotted, or looped once over the neck so both ends hang at different lengths.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a sautoir necklace?
- A sautoir is typically longer than a rope necklace, which already starts at about 85 to 90 cm. Most sautoirs fall from 100 cm to well over 120 cm, long enough to reach or fall past the hips when worn straight.
- What is the difference between a sautoir and a lariat?
- A sautoir is a long necklace that ends in a tassel or fixed pendant and is usually worn hanging straight or knotted. A lariat has no clasp and is worn by threading one end back through a loop, so the fastening is part of the styling. Both are very long but the construction and wearing method differ.
- When were sautoir necklaces most fashionable?
- The Edwardian era through the 1920s and 30s was the great period for sautoirs, particularly pearl and diamond examples in platinum settings. The dropped waistlines and slim silhouettes of 1920s fashion made the long swinging sautoir the perfect accompaniment, and houses like Cartier and Van Cleef produced celebrated examples.
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