The Majesty of Victorian Rubies: An Antique Bangle

This exquisite bangle, hailing from the Grand Victorian Period circa 1880, is a testament to the era's opulent design. Fashioned from 14K pink gold, it features twenty-one rubies totalling approximately 2.20ct and forty-eight seed pearls. Its provenance is as distinguished as its craftsmanship, having been acquired from Simons Antique Jewellers in the mid-1980s, as detailed in their catalogue. Embellished with the Dutch hallmark for 14K gold post-1955, it represents the period's fascination with luxurious pieces inspired by international discoveries, whilst also resonating with the sombre beauty of mourning jewellery. A celebration of July's and June’s birthstones, this bangle is a true piece of historical artistry.

Antique jewelry object group
bangle

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Style
Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
See also: Victorian
more info on styles

Style specifics
The Grand Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) into three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 - 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 - 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 - 1901).

We consider this to be of the Grand Victorian Period.

This second Victorian period is famous for its ostentatious pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From ca. 1850 wealthy English had reported about jewelry from India and Japan, which heavily inspired the jewelers of this period. This period also corresponds with the death of Queen Victoria's husband King Albert making mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific for this period.

Period
ca. 1880
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Material
14K pink gold (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Extra information: This bangle has been bought in the mid 1980's at Simons Antique Jewellers who had branches in The Hague and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. See the pictures for two pages from their catalogue where you can find this bangle and it's twin and their selling price of 16.000 guilders (guilders were in use before the Euro).

Precious stones
21 rubies with an estimated weight of ± 2.20ct
48 seed pearls

All color stone weights are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
It is a very common practice to treat gemstones to intensify their clarity or colour. The item in question has not been tested in this regard.

Birthstones
Ruby is the birthstone (or month stone) for July and pearl for June.
more info on birthstones

Hallmarks
The Dutch control mark for 14K gold jewelry that was brought to the essay office in finished condition. This hallmark was in use since 1955.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
inner circumference 17,50 cm (6,89 inch), band width top of bangle 1,08 cm (0,43 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
23,50 gram (15,11 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
21273-0596

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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