Antique Victorian 9 ct Rose and Yellow Gold Curb Link Bracelet with Heart Padlock and Charms c1900
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Product details
Antique Victorian 9 ct Rose and Yellow Gold Curb Link Bracelet with Heart Padlock and Charms c1900
The Victorians called these bracelets 'Night and Day' as they go with both daytime and evening wear. This is a beautiful example that dates from the Late Victorian period, made from two-tone 9 ct Rose and Yellow gold with a full set of hallmarks. This frosted curb link chain is of hollow construction as were 95% of all these curb bracelets - to have them in solid gold, at this size, would require very deep pockets and put them out of reach to most people. However, to be clear, this bracelet is ALL 9 ct gold and NOT gold plated, filled or rolled gold.
During the Late Victorian Aesthetic Period, there was a bold yet elegant movement within the world of fashion and expression. Woman began to reject the old conventions of the past and started to embrace the new, a time of beautiful change in perceptions where women were now being seen as independent, fun-loving, and self-aware.
This stunning piece features a heart-shaped padlock that was beautifully engraved with a scroll motif (a classic Victorian design) to the front and is smooth and stamped with a full set of hallmarks on the back. The clasp is in a very good condition. Although it seems that this padlock would require a key, the keyhole is purely decorative as the lock is simply a clasp that you clip and lock into place. Besides the wonderfully ornate heart padlock this bracelet also boasts three additional frosted, puffed heart charms and a security chain (just in case the clasp fails for any reason). Yellow gold was lightly chased throughout this piece giving it some extra shimmer as the light catches it.
This bracelet was hand crafted by Edwin Whitehouse and Son based in Birmingham England, and is hallmarked with their makers mark E.W&S as well a the old 9 ct gold mark 375. There are two additional hallmarks that has since been partially rubbed off on this well-loved piece, making them hard to read, it is however safe to assume that these marks would be for Birmingham (or England) as well as a date mark. E Whitehouse and Son started using this specific mark in 1897. Compared to other pieces produced by this firm, it is safe to say that this bracelet was made between 1897 and 1905. Nowadays, many people use these types of bracelets as charm bracelets to display their collection of charms.
The bracelet measures approximately 20 cm from end-to-end and the chain links are 0.8 cm across and 0.6 cm wide. Each puffed heart charm measures about 1 cm X 1.3 cm, and the engraved heart padlock clasp measures approximately 1.6 cm X 2.5 cm X 0.7 cm. The security chain measures about 6 cm. It has a total weight of about 14 grams. Please note that these measurements are approximate and could differ slightly with more sensitive measuring equipment.
The bracelet is in a very good Antique condition but does have some age related wear, to be expected from a piece that was well-loved and over a 100 years old. A stunning piece of jewellery that must have a very interesting story to tell, and will make a great addition to any collection.
