Antique 20ct Gold & Enamel Forget Me Not Bangle with Floral Padlock Locket
Where on earth do I start?! There is just so much going on with this incredible jewel. Let’s start with the bangle. A double twist of 20ct gold forms the bangle, which is hinged in the middle for easy access. It is decorated with the tiniest little pale blue flowers, forget-me-nots, only on one half, so they don’t get wrecked by wear. The tiny flowers are in little rows of three, between the twists, and actually vary in colour, some a true blue, some more pinky, and I have actually seen pinky forget-me-nots in the wild, so this blows me away!
The workmanship here baffles me. It is exquisite, not an easy piece to make by a long shot, it is delicate but made to be worn, with a clever structure that strengthens the bangle. The two rings slot together, to make a loop for the padlock. So ornate, so unusual, just divine.
The padlock is of equal beauty, but not original to the bangle, however, I think we can all agree it is an excellent marriage. The padlock re-enforces the rememberance/memorial theme, engraved ‘remember James’ on the reverse. An intricately plaited lock of brown hair fills the circular locket compartment (this was originally snug in the locket, but my jeweller has removed it, and I will keep it loose so the next caretaker can fill it with something else if desired).
The front of the padlock is bordered with white (possibly a signal that the one being remembered was a child), and decorated with gold flowers on a blue enamel ground. We have a rose to the centre, tulips and a forget me not, it is beyond beautiful and full of symbolism. Roses and tulips both signify love, and the forget-me-not is self explanitory.
We have here an unusually beautiful and rare piece of jewellery, filled with sentiment. A wearable form of remembrance, that I hope will go on to be worn and loved, and possibly dedicated to someone else.
Era
Circa 1880
Country of origin
Not sure! But European
Material
Bangle is 20 (plus) ct gold (XRF tested) and enamel, the locket is 15ct gold and enamel
Measurements
The bangle has an inner measurement of 17cm (6.69’’). I have a 15cm wrist and it fits with room. The bangle is 4.3mm thick. The padlock measures 24 × 15.5 × 3.2mm
Weight
(whole piece) 12.2 grams
Condition
Wonderful antique condition. Baffling really. The tiny forget-me-nots on the bangle have a little minor damage to the enamel. The locket is pretty much perfect except for a teeny tiny dent on one side
Where on earth do I start?! There is just so much going on with this incredible jewel. Let’s start with the bangle. A double twist of 20ct gold forms the bangle, which is hinged in the middle for easy access. It is decorated with the tiniest little pale blue flowers, forget-me-nots, only on one half, so they don’t get wrecked by wear. The tiny flowers are in little rows of three, between the twists, and actually vary in colour, some a true blue, some more pinky, and I have actually seen pinky forget-me-nots in the wild, so this blows me away!
The workmanship here baffles me. It is exquisite, not an easy piece to make by a long shot, it is delicate but made to be worn, with a clever structure that strengthens the bangle. The two rings slot together, to make a loop for the padlock. So ornate, so unusual, just divine.
The padlock is of equal beauty, but not original to the bangle, however, I think we can all agree it is an excellent marriage. The padlock re-enforces the rememberance/memorial theme, engraved ‘remember James’ on the reverse. An intricately plaited lock of brown hair fills the circular locket compartment (this was originally snug in the locket, but my jeweller has removed it, and I will keep it loose so the next caretaker can fill it with something else if desired).
The front of the padlock is bordered with white (possibly a signal that the one being remembered was a child), and decorated with gold flowers on a blue enamel ground. We have a rose to the centre, tulips and a forget me not, it is beyond beautiful and full of symbolism. Roses and tulips both signify love, and the forget-me-not is self explanitory.
We have here an unusually beautiful and rare piece of jewellery, filled with sentiment. A wearable form of remembrance, that I hope will go on to be worn and loved, and possibly dedicated to someone else.
Era
Circa 1880
Country of origin
Not sure! But European
Material
Bangle is 20 (plus) ct gold (XRF tested) and enamel, the locket is 15ct gold and enamel
Measurements
The bangle has an inner measurement of 17cm (6.69’’). I have a 15cm wrist and it fits with room. The bangle is 4.3mm thick. The padlock measures 24 × 15.5 × 3.2mm
Weight
(whole piece) 12.2 grams
Condition
Wonderful antique condition. Baffling really. The tiny forget-me-nots on the bangle have a little minor damage to the enamel. The locket is pretty much perfect except for a teeny tiny dent on one side
Where on earth do I start?! There is just so much going on with this incredible jewel. Let’s start with the bangle. A double twist of 20ct gold forms the bangle, which is hinged in the middle for easy access. It is decorated with the tiniest little pale blue flowers, forget-me-nots, only on one half, so they don’t get wrecked by wear. The tiny flowers are in little rows of three, between the twists, and actually vary in colour, some a true blue, some more pinky, and I have actually seen pinky forget-me-nots in the wild, so this blows me away!
The workmanship here baffles me. It is exquisite, not an easy piece to make by a long shot, it is delicate but made to be worn, with a clever structure that strengthens the bangle. The two rings slot together, to make a loop for the padlock. So ornate, so unusual, just divine.
The padlock is of equal beauty, but not original to the bangle, however, I think we can all agree it is an excellent marriage. The padlock re-enforces the rememberance/memorial theme, engraved ‘remember James’ on the reverse. An intricately plaited lock of brown hair fills the circular locket compartment (this was originally snug in the locket, but my jeweller has removed it, and I will keep it loose so the next caretaker can fill it with something else if desired).
The front of the padlock is bordered with white (possibly a signal that the one being remembered was a child), and decorated with gold flowers on a blue enamel ground. We have a rose to the centre, tulips and a forget me not, it is beyond beautiful and full of symbolism. Roses and tulips both signify love, and the forget-me-not is self explanitory.
We have here an unusually beautiful and rare piece of jewellery, filled with sentiment. A wearable form of remembrance, that I hope will go on to be worn and loved, and possibly dedicated to someone else.
Era
Circa 1880
Country of origin
Not sure! But European
Material
Bangle is 20 (plus) ct gold (XRF tested) and enamel, the locket is 15ct gold and enamel
Measurements
The bangle has an inner measurement of 17cm (6.69’’). I have a 15cm wrist and it fits with room. The bangle is 4.3mm thick. The padlock measures 24 × 15.5 × 3.2mm
Weight
(whole piece) 12.2 grams
Condition
Wonderful antique condition. Baffling really. The tiny forget-me-nots on the bangle have a little minor damage to the enamel. The locket is pretty much perfect except for a teeny tiny dent on one side
