Story
Becoming rarer everyday, jewelry with provenance seems to hold a special place in our hearts and minds. It tangibly connects us with the past and more importantly, with someone who lived long ago. While we will never know them personally, or be able to fill in many of the details of their life, moments of their history are illuminated from a dusky past.
A rare bracelet in the form of a coronet, it is studded with tiny natural seed pearls, cabochon garnets and cobalt blue and white enamel. A coronet is a circular head piece worn by a lady or nobleman and differs from a crown as it is not worn by a king, queen or their direct offspring.
A hinged bangle of 18k yellow gold, it flares outward. Meant to be worn only one way, with the narrower portion toward the hand. It fits best when worn snug and higher on the arm, but can be worn loose.
Engraved scrolls are interspersed with plume-like elements accentuated with blue enamel and garnets. Suggestive of Prince of Wales' feathers, it adds a further regal presence.
Beneath the narrow bottom oval section, it is embellished with tiny freshwater seed pearls and more blue and white enamel.
In its original antique box of brown leather with gray velvet and cream silk, there fortunately, is a handwritten note.
This reads, "This coronet enamelled bracelet with pearls and carbuncles the gift of my Aunt Mosier (?) on my marriage with her dear father on the 15th Sept. 1845, for my dear Edrica (?).
Note: Carbuncles are a seldom used term now for cabochon garnets.