Victorian Era Egyptian Revival Scarab Bracelet

A Victorian-era, Egyptian revival bracelet, modeled in 18k yellow gold, and set with a trio of ancient, glazed, faience/steatite scarabs. The body of this bracelet is an ornate handmade chain, comprised of curled links that move sinuously, giving the impression of vertebrae or scales. The bracelet's face features a series of cloisonné elements that act as spacers for the bracelet's three scarab "gems." These stylized lotus blossoms and little wheels are decorated with beautiful green, blue, white, and red enamel. The bracelet's scarabs are set in step-bezels, where they are surrounded by a border of twisted gold wire. Each scarab has a scalloped border at its feet, and each is secured at the mouth and tail with a pair of gold pins. The center scarab is carved from steatite, while the flanking scarabs are carved from faience pottery— all were originally glazed green-blue, and that glaze has become beautifully imperfect over time. This is a treasure! The bracelet's condition is lovely, and the scarabs are very likely in the condition they were found in, in the late 1800s— we think that the range of their surface wear, and the variation in their coloring, really makes the piece sing! This bracelet closes with a hidden box clasp, and is complete with its original safety chain.

The scarabs are carved on the reverse— with some work they could be more precisely dated.

Materials

18k Gold
Enamel
Faience
Steatite

Age

c. 1880

Dimensions

Bracelet face measures approx 15.9 mm at the center; chain measures approx 8.6 (width) x 5 (height) mm; bracelet's wearable length measures 7" (this is the ideal size for an average woman's wrist).