18th Century Cut Steel Bracelet
Wonderful Georgian cut steel bracelet dating from the latter years of the 18th century, circa 1790. Twelve marquise-shaped panels are set with faceted steel rivets that gleam and glisten like diamonds (especially in candle light).
Cut steel is a curious medium: faceted steel studs, fashioned from the nails used to secure horseshoes, are riveted on to a metal frame, designed to sparkle as they catch the light. Like other traditional jewellery from across Europe - cameos and intaglios from Italy, pebble jewellery from Scotland, hairwork from France, Berlin Iron from jewellery - cut steel was an English discipline. It adorned shoe buckles, scissors, and watch chains from the early 1700s, with much of the early production taking place in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. By the 1780s fashions hand changed, and cut steel buckles were out. So makers diversified into other decorative items including including jewellery: earrings, pendants, necklaces and brooches gleamed with their own unique beauty under candlelight. Its popularity exploded when Napoleon presented his second wife Marie Louise with a full cut steel parure (as he was unable to afford one made with gemstones, apparently).
Era: Georgian, circa 1790
Length: 7 inches
Width: 2.6cm
Marks: None, tested as base metal with steel 'rivets'
Condition: Good antique condition, evidence of old repairs in a couple of places - only visible from the back. Steel is in good shape with a few minor areas of tarnish
Full appraisal document provided with each item.
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable).
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain).
Shipping
UPS Express shipping is free of charge on international orders over £300 and it's carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
US Shipments
US Customs charges a 10% "Reciprocal Tariff" on all parcels coming in from the UK.
We will pay this charge on your behalf and you will see it collected as a line item at checkout.
[Last updated: September 15th, 2025]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
25% deposit taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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