Victorian "Pebble" Bracelet with Agates in Silver, c. 1880

Pride of Scotland

Victorian "Pebble" Bracelet with Agates in Silver, c. 1880

€ 1,390.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

By the mid-19th century, Scotland had become a place of longing for the British. The desire to return to nature, which had fueled the Romantic movement in Germany, sparked a love for the rugged northern region of the United Kingdom. Queen Victoria retreated to her castle at Balmoral for the summer months; people read Walter Scott’s novels; and even in Scotland itself, people rediscovered old traditions and revived the wearing of kilts and tartan skirts. Naturally, jewellery was also created to reflect this trend. In particular, the colorful semi-precious stones found in the Cairngorm Mountains west of Balmoral were used in this jewellery, giving it a touch of local pride. This type of jewelry is known today as “Pebble Jewelry” (“pebble” = English for “pebble”). The stones, selected for their individual charm, were assembled into traditional motifs such as brooches, buckles, or Celtic crosses, always with the aim of creating a picturesque effect. These pieces of jewellery first emerged in the mid-19th century in Scotland itself, crafted by goldsmiths in Glasgow and Edinburgh. As demand grew, the large manufacturers in Birmingham also entered the market, leaving the Scottish origins behind: Silver jewelry was now being produced, set with semi-precious stones from Brazil that had been cut in Idar-Oberstein—and yet it was still considered Scottish. The bracelet presented here is a fine example of this style. It features particularly beautiful agates, chalcedony, and carnelian set in silver. Four of the agates are artfully cut and have themselves become links in the bracelet. A decorative clasp in the center of the design is adorned with additional cut agates. However, it serves only as a decorative element. The bracelet opens on the underside with a box clasp. We discovered this bracelet in London. For more on Pebble Jewellery, see Charlotte Gere/Judy Rudoe: Jewelry in the Age of Queen Victoria, London: British Museum Press 2010, pp. 454–461.

Size & Details

Pride of Scotland

€ 1,390.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

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