DSC08241

Definitely Indian, Marie-Ange, and I can locate it even more precisely for you. The typology of Indian bracelets/bangles/anklets is very well established according to place, and this piece comes from Gujarat. There is a virtually identical piece shown in the top right hand corner of p. 188 of Anne van Cutsem's *A World of Bracelets* (2002, and not now expensive to buy, if you are interested). I had no difficulty locating this within minutes as I knew it was certainly Indian and probably either Rajasthan or Gujarat. (The two areas are close together, for that matter.) These pieces (and often there are two) are it seems invariably well made and of high quality silver, as well as heavy. All this is logical, as they were very much a wealth item (which also got worn) rather than "just jewellery". When you say "sterling", do you mean that it is MARKED as such? For that would mean that the piece contains 92% silver, and very often pieces which are of sterling quality do - in more countries than Britain alone - carry a mark to that effect. In any case, I would indeed expect the silver content to be high. It is clearly a very good piece and shows quite nice wear too. Collectible, and the more so as Indian silver jewellery is rising in price: (a) snobbery concerning silver vs gold is in the process of disappearing; (b) Indians who are in a social position to enrich themselves are doing so and can buy more; (c) they realise that most of the good silver is in the (less socially prejudiced) West, and that they MUST buy if they are to preserve - for themselves - what is left of their heritage; while (d) silver as a metal has become more expensive, and over time will continue to do so. Hence, though you are not buying for investment, your money has been well spent, I am quite sure, in that respect as well as others.

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Joost Daalder July 11, 2011 at 3:45am

Definitely Indian, Marie-Ange, and I can locate it even more precisely for you. The typology of Indian bracelets/bangles/anklets is very well established according to place, and this piece comes from Gujarat. There is a virtually identical piece shown in the top right hand corner of p. 188 of Anne van Cutsem's *A World of Bracelets* (2002, and not now expensive to buy, if you are interested). I had no difficulty locating this within minutes as I knew it was certainly Indian and probably either Rajasthan or Gujarat. (The two areas are close together, for that matter.) These pieces (and often there are two) are it seems invariably well made and of high quality silver, as well as heavy. All this is logical, as they were very much a wealth item (which also got worn) rather than "just jewellery". When you say "sterling", do you mean that it is MARKED as such? For that would mean that the piece contains 92% silver, and very often pieces which are of sterling quality do - in more countries than Britain alone - carry a mark to that effect. In any case, I would indeed expect the silver content to be high. It is clearly a very good piece and shows quite nice wear too. Collectible, and the more so as Indian silver jewellery is rising in price: (a) snobbery concerning silver vs gold is in the process of disappearing; (b) Indians who are in a social position to enrich themselves are doing so and can buy more; (c) they realise that most of the good silver is in the (less socially prejudiced) West, and that they MUST buy if they are to preserve - for themselves - what is left of their heritage; while (d) silver as a metal has become more expensive, and over time will continue to do so. Hence, though you are not buying for investment, your money has been well spent, I am quite sure, in that respect as well as others.
Kathleen McCabe-Elsey July 15, 2011 at 3:39am

Gorgeous!
Joost Daalder July 15, 2011 at 3:51am

Yes, it's a "cracker".
Joost Daalder July 15, 2011 at 3:51am

And very definitely identifiable.

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