Antique 19th century steel bead bracelet

Antique bracelet with steel beads from the 19th century. This bracelet is made up of eight rows of fine steel beads of alternating shapes: round and oblong. The beads are faceted. and twisted, making the light shimmer. The box-clasp clasp takes the form of a stylized bouquet of flowers or a spray of flowers. The clasp is decorated with faceted and riveted steel nails. Antique bracelet from the early 19th century, circa 1830.

Total length: 17.7 cm
Clasp size: 3 cm x 3 cm

Note: good general condition, some oxidation

Weight: 19.83 gr

Historical point: in the 18th century, the most famous workshop was located in Woodstock, in England near Oxford. The fashion for steel jewelry spread until the end of the 19th century in England and until the beginning of the 20th century in France. The advantage of steel is that once cut into facets it can sparkle in the same way as pyrite and imitate the brilliance of a diamond.

Originally accessible to a middle-class clientele, steel jewelry became the preserve of the nobility when it adopted a particular decoration, thus becoming more and more sought-after and expensive.

*The antique box is not sold with the jewel*