AN EXQUISITE AND EXTREMELY RARE QUEEN ANNE DIAMOND BRACELET The slightly tapered band composed of a series of old mine-cut diamond cluster links, each with a larger old mine-cut diamond center, mounted in silver, English, circa 1710--6 5/8 ins. long Diamond jewelry became popular during the reign of Queen Anne in England in the beginning of the 18th century, due in large measure to two developments. Improvements in artificial lighting lengthened the social day with the result that evening entertainment became more important. The new diamond jewelry sparkled in the flickering candlelight, overshadowing all other stones. At the same time, the growth of material prosperity led to a demand for ways to show off this new wealth. Jewelry was a natural means to achieve this end. Very little jewelry from this time period has survived. Most pieces have been broken apart to reassemble the stones into updated designs. The illustrated bracelet is a very rare example, still retaining its original diamonds which are set in a closed-back silver mounting. It is composed of rectangular links, tapering gently from the central link, each set with a central diamond surrounded by smaller stones. It is beautifully conceived and exemplifies the best of English jewelry from the Queen Anne era. Only rarely does such a piece come onto the marketplace.
AN EXQUISITE AND EXTREMELY RARE QUEEN ANNE DIAMOND BRACELET The slightly tapered band composed of a series of old mine-cut diamond cluster links, each with a larger old mine-cut diamond center, mounted in silver, English, circa 1710--6 5/8 ins. long Diamond jewelry became popular during the reign of Queen Anne in England in the beginning of the 18th century, due in large measure to two developments. Improvements in artificial lighting lengthened the social day with the result that evening entertainment became more important. The new diamond jewelry sparkled in the flickering candlelight, overshadowing all other stones. At the same time, the growth of material prosperity led to a demand for ways to show off this new wealth. Jewelry was a natural means to achieve this end. Very little jewelry from this time period has survived. Most pieces have been broken apart to reassemble the stones into updated designs. The illustrated bracelet is a very rare example, still retaining its original diamonds which are set in a closed-back silver mounting. It is composed of rectangular links, tapering gently from the central link, each set with a central diamond surrounded by smaller stones. It is beautifully conceived and exemplifies the best of English jewelry from the Queen Anne era. Only rarely does such a piece come onto the marketplace.
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
