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Scottish 19th Century 15ct Gold & Agate Bangle

342W
Rare Find
Written by Olly Gerrish

We always love to source unusual early Scottish jewellery and this 15ct gold bangle fits the bill.

Also referred to as “pebble” jewellery, this colourful and exuberant jewellery originated in Scotland utilising traditional Highland themes employing native agate and granite to punctuate the popular designs. The stones were precisely cut to form designs conforming to the setting, often to such tight tolerances as to form a seemingly seamless mosaic.
Much of Scotland’s Highland heritage was squelched after the 1745 Jacobite rebellion against the English and outward symbols of clan allegiance were forbidden. At the turn of the nineteenth-century interest in Scotland was renewed in the readers of the popular historical novels by Sir Walter Scott. Basing his stories in the rich history of the Highlands, he presented an idealised and romanticised view of his beloved Scotland. Queen Victoria made her first visit there in 1842 and loved it so much that she purchased Balmoral castle in 1847, making it a home for English monarchs on into the twenty-first century.
With the advent of railways a new tourist trade sprang up as those who were previously not able to afford leisure travel could now do so. Scotland became a prime destination not only for its beautiful scenery but because of the fascination it held for their Queen.
This led to many pieces of jewellery being made for the new tourist trade. Gold Scottish pebble jewellery is rare as most pieces were made of silver, and this hinged and articulated bangle is a wonderful survival from circa 1860-1880. It has been set with shaped bloodstones, jasper and grey agates in a Gothic design and there is bright cut engraving on the gold.

A truly beautiful bangle.

Ollys Pick

I was so thrilled to buy this bangle!

Item Number
342W
Measurements
Length 18cm
Width 1.5cm
Each section 4.5cm by 1.5cm
Item Materials
Date & Origin
Provenance
Scottish
Hallmarks
Unmarked, 9ct gold
Safety chain 9ct gold
Condition
Very Good
Care Tips
  • Check delicate settings regularly
Discovered
11 months ago
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