Antique Victorian Sterling Silver & Applied Gold MIZPAH Bangle

A rare antique MIZPAH bangle from the Victorian era, c1880! Made of sterling silver and gold accents, this spectacular bangle features pierced letters forming the word MIZPAH and is decorated with applied rose and green gold leaf, flower and cross accents. Just stunning! MIZPAH held great biblical sentiment in the mid 19th century and signified an emotional bond between two people in a time of separation; the word originating from the bible Genesis 31, Verse 49, “And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another”.

The richly detailed bangle has textured rose gold florets and green gold leaves in between each letter, alike a vine, and there are rose gold crosses lined to the upper and lower section. An applied rose gold frame beautifully completes the MIZPAH central section. A hand engraved chequered like pattern with X's engraved to each alternate square decorates around the MIZPAH section, adding further dimension and masterly detail! Back half of the bangle is plain, unadorned. The bangle is hinged and clasps to the side with a tongue connection, fastening with a firm click. There is a crisp stamp of letters 'L.E' (perhaps makers initials) sighted to the tongue clasp, albeit no other stamps are visible which is not uncommon for wide sterling style bangles of this era. Tests indicate sterling silver.

The bangle measures 2.50cm (1") wide and 16.50cm (6 & 1/2") around the inside, or 5.6cm  x 4.80cm

Video of the bangle can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/AebBx_t2thU

A sensational (and rare) example of Victorian MIZPAH jewellery!