Not currently on display at the V&A

Bracelet

19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The 1851 Great Exhibition inspired a series of ‘London International Exhibitions’ which took place in South Kensington in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874. Fine arts and scientific inventions and discoveries remained central display themes but each exhibition presented different aspects of manufacture. In 1872 one emphasis was on jewellery, including ‘peasant jewellery’. The Exhibition Commissioners arranged with the South Kensington Museum (later V&A) to make a collection of peasant jewellery from ‘all parts of the world, which should become public property, for exhibition in the Museum after the close of the Exhibition’. A letter was sent by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to British representatives overseas asking for their help in securing pieces of jewellery, particularly examples with ‘a direct connection with the native instinctive art, which has been handed down by a long tradition’. The outcome was considered to be ‘most satisfactory … a collection of characteristic ornaments never before equalled was obtained’.

This necklace of black glass beads threaded onto brass wire was obtained in Egypt. It fastens around the wrist by means of a hook and eye.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Glass beads strung onto brass wire
Brief description
Bracelet, black glass beads and brass wire, 19th century (before 1872)
Physical description
Bracelet formed of small black glass beads string onto brass wire. Brass hook and eye fastening.
Dimensions
  • Length: 16cm
  • Maximum width: 1.6cm
Length including fastening
Gallery label
One of a pair
Object history
Acquired by the Exhibition Commissioners of the London International Exhibition of 1872 as an example of 'peasant jewellery' and then transferred to the South Kensington Museum.
Summary
The 1851 Great Exhibition inspired a series of ‘London International Exhibitions’ which took place in South Kensington in 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874. Fine arts and scientific inventions and discoveries remained central display themes but each exhibition presented different aspects of manufacture. In 1872 one emphasis was on jewellery, including ‘peasant jewellery’. The Exhibition Commissioners arranged with the South Kensington Museum (later V&A) to make a collection of peasant jewellery from ‘all parts of the world, which should become public property, for exhibition in the Museum after the close of the Exhibition’. A letter was sent by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to British representatives overseas asking for their help in securing pieces of jewellery, particularly examples with ‘a direct connection with the native instinctive art, which has been handed down by a long tradition’. The outcome was considered to be ‘most satisfactory … a collection of characteristic ornaments never before equalled was obtained’.

This necklace of black glass beads threaded onto brass wire was obtained in Egypt. It fastens around the wrist by means of a hook and eye.
Bibliographic reference
List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington Museum, acquired during the year 1873, London: George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode
Collection
Accession number
1513-1873

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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