Fine Gold Mesh Buckle Manchette Bracelet
$15,000
Dating from the mid to late 19th century, this fine flexible mesh buckle bracelet is composed of gold, split seed pearls, and rose-cut diamonds. Designed as a broad, tapering cuff, the fine mesh with a contrasting patterned band centers a buckle closure with diamond prongs and double frame highlighted by four seed pearl florets. Expressing the Victorian period’ fascination with abstraction and sleek machine forms, this bold antique bracelet in soft, flexible gold has a modern sensibility united with superb period workmanship.
- Product Details
- Curator's Notes
Item #: BA-20064
Circa: 1880s
Size: 6.5-7" internal circumference 2.75" width
Materials: 6 old mine-cut (approximate total weight .08ct ); 4 split seed pearls; 18K gold; Fitted period box
The manchette bracelet is a reference to the elegant traditional sleeve cuff with ornamental trimming typical of the fine French blouse. French jewelers from the 18th century onward often playfully referred to the art of “passementerie”, the traditional craft of ornamental braiding, fringing, ruffling and embroidery of clothing, uniforms and textiles. Modern jewelers such as Van Cleef & Arpels have continued to create manchette form jewels, while closures such as the buckle and the zipper have inspired many modernist jewels.