Bracelet (part of parure)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite bracelet, crafted around 1860 in Naples, Italy, forms part of a parure—a coordinated jewelry suite popular among Europe's elite during the Victorian era. Fashioned from vibrant red coral and gleaming gold, it measures a delicate 2¾ × 3 inches, for adorning the wrist. Intricate carvings of birds and flowers, suggested by its motifs, evoke the natural world, blending organic beauty with fine craftsmanship typical of Neapolitan workshops. Naples held a renowned reputation as a center for coral jewelry in the 19th century, harvesting precious red coral from the Mediterranean for ex...