WOW! What an amazing story this bangle can tell. With the three, well-executed horseshoes applied in the center as well as the Scottish thistles in one corner and Lucky Irish shamrocks in the other corner, this certainly depicts the main regions of the English crown. The shamrocks are highly detailed and quietly adorning the corner near the hinge while thistle sweetly adorns the edge by the clasp. A raised, applied riding crop has been neatly slid through the horseshoes. Horseshoes are found in various forms on these bangles. Some are engraved while other are applied in various sizes and decoration. These are of a medium size and mostly plain in decoration. Horseshoe themed bracelets are popular for those who love horses but also enjoy fox hunt and others who just find them nifty. Often horseshoe bracelets will be paired with a buckle bracelet to create an interesting stack.
Measuring 1" wide, this has a very nice presence. Perfect for a woman of any age. Sometimes horseshoe-themed bangles will be given to younger girls.
Measures 6.25" inner circumference. Perfect for a slighlty smaller-than-average to an average wrist. Oval in shape. Nicely hallmarked on the interior of the clasp.
Hinge is in perfect order. Clasp is tight and secure. Passes the tug test. Has a safety chain for extra security.
These Victorian sterling silver pieces originated in England. Most were produced either in the Chester or Birmingham regions of England during the 1880's to the turn of the century. This period was known for the Aesthetic Movement which meant that art was produced strictly for the sake of art and not for a specific purpose. This movement began with the Japanese; therefore, many of the designs have Japanese undertones such as the swallows, bamboo, sunflowers, and butterflies. This movement was obviously connected to nature and meant to be somewhat sensual. Each design was chosen for its simplicity in stylizing it onto a piece of jewelry or other art form. Birds were represented by the swallows or cranes, insects by butterflies, plants by bamboo or sunflowers. These designs were found on the bracelets, lockets, earrings, and pins from this era. In Victorian times, they were very much into horticulture and each flower had specific meaning. The acorn seen on the earrings meant new life and longevity. Ivy leaves symbolized a union for eternity such as friendship or marriage because the ivy plant grows upward and bonds to whatever it attaches. Ivy leaves can be seen on the locket shown. A swallow meant I will return so often this was a piece given prior to a loved one leaving on a trip. Each piece was designed for a specific individual so there are no two pieces alike and each part of the design was deliberate.
Typically these pieces of jewelry were sterling silver with some pieces having rose gold or yellow gold highlighting part of the designs. Pieces adorned with gold are more difficult to find. Not all pieces were fashioned after the Japanese movement as some have beading or applied wire to form more elaborate, intricate work. One of the pairs of earrings has a row of cut steel points. At times, they married two different types of metalwork. Cut steel was a process done in the 1800’s and early 1900’s to fashion metal into studs or points and then polish them in such a way that when the light would hit them, they would appear to be diamonds. Cut steel can be a category of collecting on its own.
The ideology in Victorian times was that more was better. Thus, ladies would be adorned with several lockets and bracelets at one time which is why the bracelets were designed with flat sides to make it easier for them to stack and chains will be found in all lengths. This line of thinking better explains the elaborate details of the lockets, earrings, and chains. Some think of this time as being simpler, but it really was a time of lavishness. The silver jewelry was often their traveling jewelry while they would save their jewels for galas and gatherings.
These pieces were not mass produced; thus, each piece is truly a work of art. They were not made for export to the United States which makes their availability limited. Often one will see pictures of Queen Victoria wearing a locket or another bold piece of jewelry. This was deliberate as she wanted to promote the industry. She was so successful that they had to open an assay office in Birmingham. Assay offices were where the piece was impressed with a stamp indicating type of metal, year of production, and origin of production. This was certifying the piece by the Crown…somewhat similar to notarizing something today. Prior to the opening of the Birmingham assay office, the jewelry makers had to send all their wares to London for testing. Once tested, the piece would then be marked and could be sold for silver. There are books to help you identify each of these assay marks. The majority of the pieces sold were not marked as there was not a safe means to transport the items to and from the assay offices.
Dimensions:6.25" inner circumference
Condition:Hinge is in perfect order. Clasp is tight and secure. Passes the tug test
Web ID:MA20-395
Price:Free Shipping. We professionally package and can easily, safely ship any item, fully insured, within the US.
