Victorian Neo Egyptian Hinged Bangle with Diamond and Gem Set Scarabs

A striking Victorian hinged bangle of about 1870, this Neo Egyptian jewel is richly set with scarabs picked out in rose cut diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. The design belongs to that 19th century moment when Europe looked again towards Egypt with curiosity and imagination, translating ancient motifs into fashionable ornament. Its broad gold form, silver accents and repeated scarab figures give it both presence and rhythm. An unusual bracelet, decorative yet scholarly in spirit, it feels like a small revivalist monument made to be worn.

Jewellery Type
hinged bangle

Condition
very good condition for its age
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
Although the jewel bears French hallmarks, this does not prove that it was made in France. For further explanation, see the section on hallmarks.

Style
Victorian - This jewel belongs to the Victorian period, a broad era in which historical revival styles and eclectic design flourished.
See also: Victorian
more info on styles

Style specifics
In our opinion, this jewel most likely belongs to the second of the three major Neo Egyptian revivals that took place after 1800, associated with the renewed fascination with Egypt around the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The first followed Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign, while the third came after the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.

Period
ca. 1870
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
Ancient Egyptian motifs and design

Theme
The scarab, associated in ancient Egyptian art with ideas of renewal, transformation and rebirth, is one of the most recognisable motifs in Egyptian visual culture. For more on the scarab, see our Jewellery Glossary.

Material 18K
yellow gold and silver (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Diamonds
182 rose cut diamonds and senailles. Senailles are small, simplified rose cut diamond chips with only a few polished facets. The individual weights of these stones are not specified, which is normal practice in the trade for rose cut diamonds and senailles.

- All diamonds, regardless of their size or shape, in our vintage and antique jewellery are verified as 100% natural by the IJGC laboratory.

Precious stones
30 sapphires and 48 emeralds

All colour stone weights are approximate, as stones are not removed from their mounts in order to preserve the integrity of the setting. Gemstones are often treated to improve colour or clarity. The stones in this jewel have not been tested in this regard.

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April, sapphire for September and emerald for May.
more info on birthstones

Hallmarks
The jewel bears two French owl control marks. This mark was used by the French assay office for finished items submitted for examination, and does not in itself prove that the jewel was made in France.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
Band width: 2,90 cm (1,14 inch). Inner circumference: 18,40 cm (7,24 inch).
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
70,50 gram (45,33 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
26050-0270

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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