Elegant & Early Sri Lankan Bracelet

This fine, elegant silver bracelet is hinged and opens with a small screw mechanism. It comprises two thickly-walled but hollow silver tubes that meet at a silver cube which hides the closing mechanism.

The screw turns clock-wise to open, in the manner typically ascribed to 18th century South Asian screwing mechanisms.

The cube is decorated with flower-form plaques (two of which hid the screw closure) and has engraved leafy and applied flower-form plaques on either side.

The back of the bracelet is decorated with two attractive, elongated, triangular flanges.

The manner of construction suggests an early 19th century dating or earlier.

Related Sri Lankan examples are illustrated in Geoffroy-Schneiter (2011, p. 114).

The bracelet is well made. It is in a fine, wearable condition. It has a pleasing patina, a good colour and obvious age.