French Late Victorian antique ivory bangle with gold eagle head ornaments

First, let us make the statement that we are glad that the trade-in modern ivory is forbidden. Next statement we make is that this piece is over 100 years old and was made in a time that there was no global awareness yet of possible endangered species. We were hesitating to make this purchase as we normally do not buy ivory pieces. What drew us over the line is the fact that this bangle magnificently reflects the period it was made in, the late Nineteenth Century, showing the great goldsmith and sculpting skills the French are so well known for.

An extreme decorative bangle out of undamaged ivory with strong realistically gold made eagle heads hallmarked with French hallmarks. Unfortunately we couldn’t find any master marks in them. But even if we would, the chance that we could then determine the jeweller who made it would be small, as the index of French Master marks is one of the worst to consult. It is made to wear because the heads can be slightly turned once on the wrist.

We have contacted the Belgian office for environmental issues and were told that within the European Community we do not need a CITES-certificate for this bangle as it is antique. Only when our client for this bracelet lives outside the European Community do need a so-called CITES-document. Only with the name of the buyer of this bracelet, we can ask for this certificate and it can take up to two weeks for the Belgian office of environmental issues to send us this document.

Antique jewellery object group: bangle

Condition: excellent condition

Country of origin: France

Style: Between Victorian and Art Nouveau – Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament.

The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era. Art Nouveau (French for New Style) is an international movement and style of art, architecture and applied art – especially the decorative arts – that peaked in popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890-1905).

The name “Art Nouveau” is French for “new art”. It is also known as‚ Jugendstil, German for “youth style”, named after the magazine Jugend, which promoted it, and in Italy, Stile Liberty from the department store in London, Liberty & Co., which popularized the style. A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms.

Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life.

Style specifics: Late Victorian / early Art Nouveau – The subject of this piece, although typical 19th Century, announces the coming of the Art Nouveau style.

Period: ca. 1890

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature

Theme: eagle

Material: 18K yellow gold

Extra information: Eagle symbolism – The eagle symbolized strength, courage, farsightedness and immortality. It is considered to be the king of the air and the messenger of the highest Gods. Mythologically, it is connected by the Greeks with the God Zeus, by the Romans with Jupiter, by the Germanic tribes with Odin and by Christians with God. Read more about the eagle and its symbolism.

Hallmarks: The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle’s head that was in use in France from about 1838.

Dimensions: inner diameter 7,44 cm (2,93 inch), inner circumference 23,50 cm (9,25 inch)

Weight: 45,10 gram (29,00 dwt)