Intricate Antique Chinese Gold Bracelet 20k
1900s Straits Chinese gold bracelet set in 20k.
At 1cm wide, this is an intricate bracelet made up of sets of individual links interlinked across the length of the bracelet.
In fact we know this is Straits Chinese jewellery from such exact links. The little gold baubles bear a striking resemblance to Etruscan jewellery. Its dense yet delicate gold interlinks rely on a craftsmanship similar across heirloom jewellery of various Asian ethnicities.
Nevertheless the joy in this piece is the tedious lace-like interlink of different elements, easily escaping the eye since the gold work is very compact.
The gold baubles interlink with handcrafted round loops and diamond-shaped Chinese links, the latter which show gentle carvings to get the gold to shine with a ‘twinkle’ effect.
There is one photo that shows the back of the bracelet, and one that attempts to show the cross-section of the bracelet.
The whole bracelet is handcrafted and its craftsmanship makes for a whole length of gold that is pliable. You can feel it is luxe on the wrist.
You can actually form a knot in the bracelet like it is a string, that’s how ‘soft’ the bracelet is crafted. You can only get this effect if the gold work is expertly formed. In this region we recognise this desirable quality when we say “the gold is thinly formed”.
The little gold ball tassels that drop from such bracelets are usually lost to us, but here you have it complete.
Antique sass aside, this bracelet seems to match and/or stack well with any gold jewellery, pendants and earrings of all shape and age.
With full Chinese hallmarks.
These bracelets have been part of Straits heritage since forever – 18th century, 19th century – though many are lost to us when they are melted down.