Dating to 1862 and commemorating the Silver Jubilee of Queen Victoria this beautiful sterling silver cuff bracelet features a shamrock, rose and thistle representing the flowers of the British Isles. Although the Queen didn't have a Silver Jubilee, she was in no mood to party having thrown herself into deep mourning after losing her beloved Prince Albert to Cholera just six months earlier. The nation did celebrate and silver jewellery like this piece were made to mark her 25 years on the throne.
A quality piece in fairly thick gauge silver the bangle is beautifully hand-engraved. The ornate front features beautiful shamrock, rose and thistle motifs inside applied silver rings. Raised scalloping decorates the top and the bottom and the background is engraved in ivy leaves. The back is left plain save for the ornate engraved monogram of the lady who originally owned it.
The bangle is a medium to wide width and crafted on the oval with rolled edges for comfort and strength. Worn close fitting to the wrist it is hinged at one side it and it has a hidden shovel clasp with a push button at the other. A silver safety chain adds to the lovely decoration.
The bracelet is in very, very good antique condition with light wear, surface scratches and a couple of minor little dings on the back as you might expect in a solid silver bangle this age. It closes securely with a solid click. Please see the photos and excuse all the reflections.
A gorgeous incredibly ornamental Victorian silver cuff bracelet, quite rare and steeped in history!
MATERIALS: sterling silver
MEASUREMENTS: 1" (2.5cm) wide. Inner circumference 6-3/4" (17cm) measured around the inside. Inner diameter measures 2-1/8" (5.4cm) side to side and 1-7/8" (4.8cm) front to back.
Weight 34.6 grams
HALLMARKS: stamped 'Sterling' on the inside, hallmark worn
DATE: Victorian, circa 1860