Home  /  Antiques  /  Jewelry  /  Sterling Silver  /  Bracelets

Ruffled Edge, Flat Link, Engraved Antique English Bracelet

Description:

Wonderful flat, engraved ruffled links alternate with curved links engraved with swirls.  These intricate patterns create a peaceful and quiet elegance.  The flat links allow this to be a perfect candidate to layer with a bangle or more bracelets. It terminates with a ring on one end and a dog clip on the other.  The dog clip has a lever which is pushed in to allow the ring to the slide over the end.  This enclosure is very secure and often seen on watch chains from the same period.

Very Victorian with the incised patterns and ruffled edges.  Link bracelets are not as often found as bangles and thus, this is truly perfect for a woman who enjoys bracelets or is looking for a piece to compliment an existing bangle.

Meausres 7" long.  Perfect for a larger-than-average or average wrist.  1/2" wide.  Wide enough to make its presence known without be overwhelmingly bold.

These English bracelets were produced in the 1880's by master jewelers primarily in the Birmingham and Chester regions of England.  In an effort to promote this industry, Queen Victoria was frequently seen wearing numerous pieces of jewelry.  

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:

7" inner circumference

Condition:

Dog clip is tight and secure.

Web ID:

MA20-380

Price:
SOLD


Shipping:

Free Shipping. We professionally package and can easily, safely ship any item, fully insured, within the US.



Sign up for our special Insider Newsletter.