Essex Jewelry and Antiques
c1860s Victorian Scottish Sterling Silver Striated Agate Carnelian Bracelet
Regular price
$741.00
Presented is a fabulous antique Victorian Scottish sterling silver and agate bracelet. This piece dates to around the 1850s-1870s. The bracelet consists of alternating pieces of striated agate and orange-red carnelian, with the striated/banded agate pieces carved in a pyramid shape and the carnelian pieces in a wavy edged, checkerboard carved shape. The carnelian pieces are set in finely hand engraved settings, while the pyramids are in settings with silver wire at the vertices, ending in little spheres at the point of the pyramid. The bracelet closes with a wonderful heart shaped “lock” as the clasp, finely engraved on both sides with classical foliate decoration. The clasp opens by pushing on one side of the half hoop at the top of the lock, and snaps shut by pushing it back down.
The bracelet itself is not stamped or hallmarked, but we have tested it with nitric acid and guarantee it to be sterling silver. Attached to the back of one of the links/stone settings is a little applied tag stamped 925 for sterling silver. This is not original to the piece, but was likely added while the solder reinforcements were being done.
This piece is in great overall condition. Many of the carnelians' settings have old solder repairs or reinforcements to the back side where the chain links are attached, but these are not visible from the front side or when the bracelet is being worn. The clasp is working well and closes securely. The stones are all in great shape, and the engraving on the silver is nice and crisp.
The bracelet will fit a wrist of about 8 1/2 inches in circumference or less.
The bracelet is about 3/4 of an inch wide at the widest point.
This bracelet weighs 33.1 grams. -jm
The bracelet itself is not stamped or hallmarked, but we have tested it with nitric acid and guarantee it to be sterling silver. Attached to the back of one of the links/stone settings is a little applied tag stamped 925 for sterling silver. This is not original to the piece, but was likely added while the solder reinforcements were being done.
This piece is in great overall condition. Many of the carnelians' settings have old solder repairs or reinforcements to the back side where the chain links are attached, but these are not visible from the front side or when the bracelet is being worn. The clasp is working well and closes securely. The stones are all in great shape, and the engraving on the silver is nice and crisp.
The bracelet will fit a wrist of about 8 1/2 inches in circumference or less.
The bracelet is about 3/4 of an inch wide at the widest point.
This bracelet weighs 33.1 grams. -jm