Featured Is this bracelet Victorian era?

This is a pretty gold mesh bracelet that could be Victorian but I'm not sure if they had this type of clasp back then. There is a dried flower arrangement (kind of blurry, so I'm not sure that is what it is) under a crystal lens and the back of this has a piece of blue grossgrain ribbon under glass. There are no markings, so I think it's gold filled or plated.I have no way to test it. It fits a small wrist. Have you seen something like this? Can someone take a guess at the age? Is it a modern replica? Thank you!

 

It sure wants to be. The locket part on the back is very Victorian, but the metal looks all wrong. So does the enamel. Then again the mesh color doesn't match the center bit either, and neither are the color I associate with old Victorian gold and gold-filled jewelry. If I had to guess I'd say 50s/60s Victorian Revival.

 

Agreed, that’s revival.

 

The clasp holds a hair work arrangement!
Can't be positive for the mesh band without having it in hand... Maybe a replacement but it would have been difficult to fix it in the enamel "bands" without leaving traces!
All good for me for 1860s era.
Have the gold tested
Edit to add this blue enamel is often used on French Louis-Philippe sentimental jewellery!
And the engraving visible under the damaged enamel seems done by hand, not a stamping you’d see on a revival piece...

 

First off, I gotta say I’m envious of your photography, very nicely done, especially the subtle reflection off the surface the bracelet is sitting on.

second, are the links (highlighted below) soldered closed or does one side have an open link that is just pinched together?

third, does is attract to a magnet? While that won’t prove it to be gold, it will eliminate any alloy that contains iron, as revival costume pieces often used

 

No, a magnet does not stick and the rings are not soldered closed. They are soldered onto the clasp. Thank you!

 

Thank you Kyra! I will take it to a jeweler. Fingers crossed that it is an antique.

 

Beautiful NE, a little treasure.

Ditto. Typical 19th century hairwork.
The work seems to be floral, which imo means that it is not a mourning piece, but a sentimental piece, as kyra said. A keepsake of a loved one who was very much alive at the time. The blue enamel, instead of black, suggests the same.

I mentioned this before, my great-grandfather was one of the last people to make hairwork. He did it in his spare time, only for valued customers. His work was mainly for mourning pieces, the motifs weeping willows etc.

Ditto.

 

Thank you, Any Jewelry.I don't think anyone makes hairwork pieces any more. It is extremely delicate work. I lost my beloved husband 4 months ago, so I understand why people want a piece of their loved one. A special reminder to keep them close. I had my husband's wedding ring remade into a ring that I wear every day and a local woman made a quilt with his old flannel shirts to keep me warm this winter.

 

Yes, it is a tiny piece of art.

My condolences NE.
I also understand. I lost my husband in January, and I still have a lock of his hair which I would like to do something special with.
A hair artist would be perfect, but there are none, for obvious reasons. I have been thinking of doing a more simple Georgian style hair weave myself.

 

Sorry to hear this
All my sincere condolences. It is often an help for the grief to have close to you a physical reminder!

 

I was sure you'd agree with my sentiment about this very nice bracelet!

 

Dear Any Jewelry, I am very sorry to hear this. Losing your husband is a painful experience. I hope you have family close-by to support you. I am sending you a virtual hug. I hope you are taking good care of yourself.

 

Right back at you, NE.

We never had any children, and unfortunately my close relatives all live abroad. I have daily email contact with my brother, but it's not the same as a shoulder to cry on or a hug.
Do you have family nearby?

 

@Any Jewelry and @NewEngland

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved husbands. I hope that loving memories have given and continue to give you comfort and strength during the difficult time.

My sister lost her husband a year ago and had a pendant necklace made of his fingerprint which she wears everyday.

 

My children live hours away but they call every day. In my small town, there is a group of recent widows that support each other. I will be moving out of my home in the next year to a town closer to my son. It is hard to live alone after so many years being married. I do not like it.

 

Yes, my husband's fingerprint was also taken so I could make it into jewellery. His hair feels more personal though, it is still a part of him.

I know, you miss your beloved companion, and the house feels so empty without him.

 

Any,
New England,
I am so sorry for your loss! Life can be very hard sometimes
And one needs a lot of inner strength to keep going
Send you my hugs and !!!

 

Thank you for the kind thoughts.