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Antique bracelet with turquoise in gold & medallion compartment, circa 1850

€ 2,490.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Antique bracelet with turquoise in gold & medallion compartment, circa 1850

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Roses, tulips, carnations — all flowers wilt, except for one little flower, and that is the forget-me-not. In earlier times, jewelry often carried a personal meaning in addition to its decorative function. This particularly beautiful bracelet from around 1850 shows how such messages could be conveyed. It presents sky-blue Persian turquoises set in warm, shining gold. The turquoises are arranged to form delicate little flowers. Jewelry set with many small turquoises was highly fashionable in the 1840s and 1850s. Their color reminded contemporaries of forget-me-nots. Thus, turquoise jewelry became a symbol of true love — a pledge of affection intended to ensure the giver would always be remembered. A hidden detail on the back of the bracelet’s centerpiece deepens this symbolism: beneath a glass plate lies an inlay of braided hair, likely belonging to the person who gifted the piece. This makes the bracelet not only decorative but also a collector’s item imbued with touching sentiment. The design language of the bracelet, with its voluminous, geometrically linked elements featuring fine engravings and hollow construction, is also typical of the years around 1850. While the shapes still echo the foam gold jewelry of the 1840s, the individual ornaments are flatter and less curved. The central element already hints at the historicist styles that would soon become popular, with designs inspired by the Renaissance and other historical eras. The bracelet is beautifully preserved in its original antique case. A particularly refined feature is hidden inside: the bracelet comes with two interchangeable clasps, allowing it to be worn either as a traditional bracelet or as a choker with a velvet ribbon. We were able to acquire this special piece here in Berlin.

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The beauty of exotic gemstones plays an extraordinary role in the motifs of jewelry. Work with Persian turquoise in particular was extremely popular among the bourgeoisie of all times, as the mineral was charged with meaning due to its color. It reminded the citizens of the 19th century of the flowers of a forget-me-not, which is why turquoise itself took on this meaning in the language of jewelry. Diamonds, meanwhile, have always been the gemstones associated with immortality, which is probably why this beautiful ring was once a gift of love. But the history of the name of this stone is also interesting. The ancient Greek καλάϊνος Kalláïnos (iridescent blue and green) can be assumed with relative certainty as the early name (from Pliny, Naturalis historia). Around the beginning of the 13th century, the French term Turkoys appeared, which changed from the early 15th century to pierre turquoise, meaning "Turkish stone". However, this neologism is based on a misunderstanding, as turquoise was only imported into Turkey from what is now Iran and traded there.

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Size & Details

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€ 2,490.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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