Wide Peranakan Gold Bracelet

Early to mid 20th century gold bracelet set in 22k.

This bracelet is of Straits Chinese tradition, its taxonomy is a family of lace-like bracelets of varying height, ranging from 3, 5, 7 to a 10-row.

These bracelets look intricate because of their repetitive lattice-and-link component formations, each component is linked to the other by hand.

This is 4.5cm tall with an 8-ball stack, just a little away from the widest we’ve curated (5cm).

The number of gold balls is not just an aesthetic charm: the wider the bracelet, the more fortune shines on the lady, gold in flow with Nature willy-nilly.

These ‘lattice’ golden bracelets were and are sought after for being in-between bracelets and bangles.

They have the stature of a bangle or cuff but the flow of a bracelet, a way of femininity that must be experienced to understand.

This particular motif is quite like Etruscan jewelry, the gold work resembles ’embroidered’ tapestry, the whole presents ornately not because it is actually decorous when worn but because its pattern is compact.

A piece as this used to be worn with others, a bevy of bracelets knocking on bangles, the jingle of gold a habit of tradition and aura.

This Straits Chinese bracelet is enduring from craftsmanship to collectibility, what we deem as 可遇不可求, or (a thing that may be) desired but not sought out.

The bracelet measures 6.75″.

The bracelet weighs 51.2 grams.