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

Bracelet

1850-1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

By the 1850s bracelets had become an indispensable accessory. The French connoisseur Edmond Joly de Bammeville declared that the ‘daytime’ bracelet was the ‘main feature of national dress’ in England. Up to seven or eight of differing design might be worn between the wrist and elbow on both arms. Alternatively, they could be worn in pairs and even over gloves.

Distinctions of rank, age, occasion and dress determined what jewellery could be worn and when. One etiquette manual stated that diamonds, pearls and emeralds were for full evening wear only. In the daytime, women were expected to wear less elaborate jewellery.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold, moonstones set in silver
Brief description
Gold bracelet with moonstones set in silver., made in England, 1850-1900
Physical description
Gold bracelet with seven round moonstones set in silver.
Dimensions
  • Height: 5.8cm
  • Width: 6.3cm
  • Depth: 0.9cm
Credit line
Bequeathed by Mrs L. M. Bosanquet
Summary
By the 1850s bracelets had become an indispensable accessory. The French connoisseur Edmond Joly de Bammeville declared that the ‘daytime’ bracelet was the ‘main feature of national dress’ in England. Up to seven or eight of differing design might be worn between the wrist and elbow on both arms. Alternatively, they could be worn in pairs and even over gloves.

Distinctions of rank, age, occasion and dress determined what jewellery could be worn and when. One etiquette manual stated that diamonds, pearls and emeralds were for full evening wear only. In the daytime, women were expected to wear less elaborate jewellery.
Associated object
M.13-1983 (Set)
Collection
Accession number
M.14-1983

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Record createdJanuary 9, 2006
Record URL
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