Dark Heart : Victorian Banded Agate Mourning Bracelet with Carved Links

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A most unusual banded agate bracelet, each link hand carved in an almost heart shape, hinged with long silver pins.

Another truly delicious item from my personal collection that I’m offering for sale – this unique bracelet is like nothing else I’ve ever seen. Each of the chunky agate links is slightly curved so that it fits your wrist in the slinkiest most sinuous way.

Originally this piece would have been worn as part of mourning attire – the mortality rate was high during Victorian times and may ladies found themselves wearing mourning dress for the majority of their lives as they paid tribute to lost children, partners, siblings and parents. Today this bracelet looks highly contemporary, a timeless piece of hand made jewellery.

Agate jewellery like this piece rose to fashion following Queen Victorian and Prince Albert’s visit to Scotland in 1842 and their subsequent purchase of the Balmoral estate in 1852. Queen Victoria adored agate jewellery and her enthusiasm for traditional Scottish agate jewellery was echoed by her subjects.

The bracelet closes with a high quality box link clasp made from german silver, the chain itself is sterlinw with one of the links having a English lion rampant hallmark for Sterling Silver. I added the banded agate heart drop as it frustrated me having the box clasp spin to the top all the time – the weight of the heart keeps the links at the top of your wrist when worn. The heart did come from the same collection as the bracelet, so it is possible they have always been companion pieces.

The bracelet will fit wrists from 17cm – 19cm. It would be an easy thing to have a jeweller add even more silver links to fit wrists of a larger circumference.

Each link measures 19.5mm wide and 23.5mm long.
The bracelet weighs 40.3 grams.

A remarkable and unusual piece, certain to be a conversation starter.

Description

A most unusual banded agate bracelet, each link hand carved in an almost heart shape, hinged with long silver pins.

The bracelet will fit wrists from 17cm to 19cm. It would be asn easy thing to have a jeweller add even more silver links to fit wrists of a larger circumference.

Each link measures 19.5mm wide and 23.5mm long.
The bracelet weighs 40.3 grams.