Unusual Antique Colombian Emerald and Burmese Ruby Bangle, Lviv, c. 1880

Among the precious coloured gemstones, there are places of origin and characteristics that make the connoisseur's heart beat faster. Among the emeralds, these are the gemstones from Colombia, with their intense color, especially when they are only slightly oiled. Among rubies, there are stones from the mines of ancient Burma, especially the unheated specimens. This bracelet presents both of these desirable gemstones. In the center is a Colombian emerald of around 1.45 ct, minor oil, whose lush green is radiantly accentuated. At its side are two untreated Burmese rubies, whose bright pink-red color creates a vivid contrast to the green. All the stones are surrounded by rose diamonds and are mounted on a simple yet unusual hoop of twisted gold, giving the piece the appearance of a golden branch with precious fruit. At the time the bracelet was created, the combination of various precious gemstones was the latest fashion. The Leipziger Illustrirte Zeitung reported in 1883: "The latest samples of jewellery show that delicate, graceful work and rich colour effects, achieved by combining many coloured gemstones, are currently far more preferred than heavy, solid work and monochrome, albeit precious stones. ... One often finds rubies, pearls, diamonds, emeralds and sapphires combined in one piece of jewellery, which would have been frowned upon in the past." According to its hallmark, the bangle was made between 1872 and 1920 in Lviv, which at the time was still the capital of the Austrian crown land of Galicia and Lodomeria. It is supplied with an independent certificate confirming the origin and quality of the gemstones. The quote from [Anon.], 'Moden', Leipziger Illustrirte Zeitung, 80 (April 7, 1883), p. 302.

Estimate:£10,020.33

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