Description
An early 19th century gold mesh bracelet. The clasp square decorated with cannetille work and set with turquoise, ruby diamond and emerald.
Wars in Georgian period (1714 to1830–1837) led to shortages of precious metals and gemstones, so that jewelers and goldsmiths no longer made the heavy jewelry of the early Georgian period. The shortages led them to create the lighter, intricate Georgian gold chains and necklaces so typical of the period.
Cannetille work is a technique that developed as a result of a shortage of metals. Thin metal wires, usually gold, are coiled into various shapes, such as rosettes, beehives, pyramids and curls, sometimes welded onto thin plates. It is time consuming work and all made by hand.
England, circa 1830