Neoclassical 'Days of the Week' Bracelet
Remarkable neoclassical cameo bracelet dating from the mid 19th century, circa 1860. The seven panels represent the classical "days of the week" - each carved from a piece of bull's mouth shell. They're mounted in 18 carat gold with rope-twist border and French eagle head assay marks.
The cameos represent the Greco-Roman deities as days of the week (not in order), being pulled in various modes of travel by their own symbolic creatures. The imagery, however, isn't quite correct... I'll elaborate:
Monday: Luna with her chariot (a biga, pulled by two) being pulled by two women. The imagery is... incorrect for the Roman period. Luna’s biga was originally pulled by oxen, horses or serpentine dragons.
Tuesday: Mars with sword in a quadriga pulled by four horses. Imagery is correct, Mars can be found on ancient coinage pulled by four horses.
Wednesday: Mercury in a chariot pulled by cockerels, representing Wednesday. The ancients never depicted Mercury travelling in a chariot or similar. He had winged sandals, after all, so what would have been the point?
Thursday: Jupiter with his chariot being pulled by eagles. He's associated with eagles, for sure, but they didn't pull his chariot...
Friday: Venus with her biga being pulled by doves The Roman period showed coins of Venus in her biga pulled by Cupids so... close?
Saturday: Saturn with his scythe in a chariot drawn by serpentine dragons. No idea on this one... Saturn was typically presented in a quadriga pulled by horses.
Sunday: Sol in quadriga pulled by four horses. Entirely correct! Bravo.
Era: Victorian, circa 1870
Length: 7.5 inches
Panels: 1.6cm by 1.9cm
Stone: Bull's Mouth Shell
Marks: French eagle head control mark for 18ct gold
Condition: Great antique condition
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
Express shipping is free of charge and carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
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Layaway
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Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved, often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff/scrape are 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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