Bracelet thumbnail 1
Bracelet thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Bracelet

ca. 1825 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The colourful and flamboyant jewellery of the 1820s and 1830s could be set with up to a dozen different stones within a rich gold and coloured gold framework. Special manufacturing techniques and decorative effects were used to achieve an expensive finish using smaller amounts of gold. Although lightly made, this opulent jewellery looked heavier than earlier Neo-classical work.

The highly ornate filigree work of spirals (cannetille) and granules (grainti) added an appealing relief texture, but it was more popular on mainland Europe than in England, where clients preferred more substantial areas of plain gold.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Coloured gold, foiled amrthysts and other gemstones
Brief description
Locket bracelet, coloured gold openwork, with cannetille and grainti decoration, set with foiled amethys cabochons and other semi-precious stones, possibly made in France, about 1820-30
Physical description
Locket bracelet, coloured gold openwork, with cannetille and grainti decoration, set with foiled amethyst cabochons and other semi-precious stones. Each link has a locket fitting at the back.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.2cm
  • Unclasped length: 17.5cm
  • Depth: 1.1cm
The bracelet was measured as previously displayed (unclasped and lying flat).
Credit line
Cory Bequest
Summary
The colourful and flamboyant jewellery of the 1820s and 1830s could be set with up to a dozen different stones within a rich gold and coloured gold framework. Special manufacturing techniques and decorative effects were used to achieve an expensive finish using smaller amounts of gold. Although lightly made, this opulent jewellery looked heavier than earlier Neo-classical work.

The highly ornate filigree work of spirals (cannetille) and granules (grainti) added an appealing relief texture, but it was more popular on mainland Europe than in England, where clients preferred more substantial areas of plain gold.
Collection
Accession number
M.88-1951

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Record createdAugust 11, 2005
Record URL
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