-
1 of 253523 objects
Bangle c. 1850 - 1875
Gold and rubies | 3.3 x 8.8 x 8.8 cm (whole object) | RCIN 11522
-
A hinged gold bangle worked in repousse and chased to represent heads of makara, mythological creatures that resemble dragons. The two larger heads have inlaid rubies to represent eyes. A ruby-topped screw holds the two halves of the bangle together
Provenance
Presented to Queen Victoria by the Prince of Wales for her 57th birthday.
This bangle was purchased by the Prince of Wales during his four-month tour of India in 1875-76 in Trichinopoly. William Howard Russell, writer of the tour diary, recorded on 12 December 1875 that 'workers in gold and silver, in brass and ebony, and in all the things for which Trichinopoly is famous for' came to sell their wares after Sunday service and that 'there was no more peace, but there was much bargaining for bangles and jewellery' (William Howard Russell, The Prince of Wales' tour: a diary in India; with some account of the visits of His Royal Highness to the courts of Greece, Egypt, Spain, and Portugal, 1877 p.314).
The bangle was later presented to Queen Victoria on 24 May 1876, who recorded its presentation in her journal: 'I received a number of lovely things. Arthur gave me a charming old Spanish fan from Seville & Bertie 2 beautiful Indian bracelets from Trinchinopoli & Jeypore' (RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) 24 May 1876 Princess Beatrice's copies). -
Medium and techniques
Gold and rubies
Measurements
3.3 x 8.8 x 8.8 cm (whole object)
Category
Object type(s)
