Bracelet
ca. 1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bracelet reflects the peak of naturalism of the 1850s. Twigs, branches, flowers and fruits have been modelled in gold in life-like detail. They have been given realistic colours by using rich translucent enamel on engraved surfaces.
Naturalistic jewellery, decorated with clearly recognisable flowers and fruit, was popular for much of this period. These motifs first became fashionable in the early years of the century, with the widespread interest in botany and the influence of Romantic poets such as Wordsworth. By the 1850s the delicate early designs had given way to more extravagant and complex compositions of flowers and foliage.
At the same time, flowers were used to express love and friendship. The colours in nature were matched by coloured gemstones, and a ‘language of flowers’ spelt out special messages.
In contrast with earlier periods, the more elaborate jewellery was worn almost exclusively by women.
Naturalistic jewellery, decorated with clearly recognisable flowers and fruit, was popular for much of this period. These motifs first became fashionable in the early years of the century, with the widespread interest in botany and the influence of Romantic poets such as Wordsworth. By the 1850s the delicate early designs had given way to more extravagant and complex compositions of flowers and foliage.
At the same time, flowers were used to express love and friendship. The colours in nature were matched by coloured gemstones, and a ‘language of flowers’ spelt out special messages.
In contrast with earlier periods, the more elaborate jewellery was worn almost exclusively by women.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Enamelled gold set with pearls |
| Brief description | Bracelet, enamelled gold set with pearls in the form of a branch vine, France (Paris), about 1850 |
| Physical description | Bracelet, enamelled gold set with pearls in the form of a branch vine. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | eagle's head struck twice Note Petite garantie for gold, Paris. On inside of bracelet near division between two parts. |
| Credit line | Cory Bequest |
| Object history | Isabelle Lucas has kindly pointed out the close similarity between this bracelet and the illustration of one by Jean-Valentin Morel (Art Journal, 1850, p. 292). |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This bracelet reflects the peak of naturalism of the 1850s. Twigs, branches, flowers and fruits have been modelled in gold in life-like detail. They have been given realistic colours by using rich translucent enamel on engraved surfaces. Naturalistic jewellery, decorated with clearly recognisable flowers and fruit, was popular for much of this period. These motifs first became fashionable in the early years of the century, with the widespread interest in botany and the influence of Romantic poets such as Wordsworth. By the 1850s the delicate early designs had given way to more extravagant and complex compositions of flowers and foliage. At the same time, flowers were used to express love and friendship. The colours in nature were matched by coloured gemstones, and a ‘language of flowers’ spelt out special messages. In contrast with earlier periods, the more elaborate jewellery was worn almost exclusively by women. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.102-1951 |
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| Record created | August 17, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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