A beautiful pair of antique Victorian mourning bracelets made out of pressed horn.
Dating to around 1870 each bracelet features 10 panels decorated in a lovely bas relief floral pattern with glossy flowers against a matte stippled background. We are not sure what type of flowers these are, Victorian jewellery invariably had sentimental meaning, either affection, mourning or piety so they are bound to represent something meaningful!
The bracelet panels are 1" (2.5cm) tall and 3/4" (2cm) wide and they are strung onto black cotton covered stretch elastic. The bracelets measure 7" (17.5cm) at rest and they are in very good condition with wear in keeping with age. There is some delamination at the back of the panels which is usual with horn because of its layered structure but it won't flake off or crumble away and it doesn't affect the front.
Victorian women typically wore these bracelets as a pair, one on each wrist and it is lovely to still find them together after all this time! We are offering them as a pair but you can buy just one if you prefer.
Pressed horn jewellery first made its appearance during the early Georgian era and it was a popular alternative to Whitby Jet for mourning jewellery. Pressed horn was the first natural thermoplastic material discovered and it is moulded rather than carved. Sheets of animal horn were stained black and put between hot plates in a press and pressure applied. Intricate patterns that weren't possible with hand carving could be achieved just like we see in these bracelets.
At Mercy Madge we offer a carefully curated collection of antique and vintage jewellery. Each piece is hand selected with you in mind and we rarely come across two identical old treasures, once they are gone, they are truly gone!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FREE DELIVERY on all orders worldwide. All orders are despatched next business day and sent with full tracking.
- RETURNS, you can return your item for a refund for any reason. Just get in touch within 3 days of receiving your order if you wish to do so.
- Our photographs are taken with a magnified macro lens to show you every tiny detail, flaws are exaggerated and aren't as noticeable to the naked eye, similarly shadows caused by studio lighting can give rise to discoloured areas that don't exist.
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Materials: Pressed Horn.