A lady with a love for literature and shiny things discusses books & bling.
This piece is really amazing. It’s an antique (19th century) North Indian armband that’s been modified with the addition of hinges so that it can be worn as a bracelet. It is gold, embellished with enamel in a floral motif and seed pearls. It’s breathtaking.
Some detail shots:
I love a good bracelet. I don’t wear them particularly often – I type all day at my day job and I have very small wrists, so it’s hard to find ones that won’t fall off or flap around. When I do wear them, I tend to go for small, flexible bracelets. These two wide bracelets are the opposite of small and flexible, but they’re so amazing I know I’d find a way to make it work.
Wide bracelet #1 is pierced yellow gold cuff accented with a floral design in silver. The scrolling floral design is accented with 2.22 carats of diamonds and two rubies. I just love the way the silver and diamond floral design winds across the latticed gold – it really looks like the design just grew onto the trellis of the bracelet, rather than being man-made.
Wide bracelet #2 might be even more fabulous. It was made in India, so you know already it’s going to be stunning. This bracelet won my heart away by doing one of my favorite things in jewelry; it’s embellished everywhere. No surface is wasted. The inside and sides of the bracelet, which could easily have been left unadorned, are covered in a gorgeously intricate enamel design. The enamel, which is a starkly contrasting design of black and gold, creates a beautiful foil for the outer, geometric design in seed pearls, rubies, and diamonds. This bracelet really is something special.