CHARM BRACELET WITH 5 PENDANTS, HISTORIANS ARE STUMPED!!

[STLsweetheart314]

I AM DESPERATE to find someone that would be able to tell me the history behind this pendant bracelet. Over the past 5 months it has lead me to speak with local, nationwide and international historians, and whom all are still scratching their heads. Here is a brief summary of the information I currently have.

I was given this bracelet from a lady selling furniture online, and told me that she had a box of jewelry for sale as well if I was interested. I had told her I was a bit nervous buying anything real because of my year old daughter's destructive obsession with bracelets and necklaces, and how pieces never last long after she gets ahold of them. So, she simply pulled a piece from the box, this bracelet, and told me this was a piece that I could give to my daughter to play with since she had no knowledge of where it had come from (she further explained the box it was pulled from was in her shed before she purchased her home in 1991, and the piece did not personally belong to her, just simply left behind from the previous home owners)

Yes, my daughter did play with this piece for a couple of weeks, until pure curiousity struck me and I began to look at the Pendants on the bracelet. This is what I have found:

Bracelet is approx. 7in in length, very HEAVY, possibly gold material with five (5) pendants on a link chain and no maker's mark or trademark what so ever. When the bracelet is laid straight, unlatched the pendants are:

a heart - with embellished design on the right side (the edge of the heart appears to have a fine line through it, as if two of the same mold were mended together - but solid



A French Coin - One side shows a french franc possibly from the 17th century, one side reading "French Republique" and the other showing the "Arms of France" This coin looks to be gold covered (small chip missing from edge and a darker metal can be seen under neth)

A five point star - again looks to be as if 2 of the same "molds" were mended together (seam along edge) but possibly hallow, unlike the heart pendant

4th pendant - only to be identified as the 17th century GEORGE CALVERT original design of the Baltimore coat of arms, not to be mistaken with Ceicilus Calvert's revised designed after the ORIGINAL was stolen from the family in 1645 by Robert Ingle


Gold Tassel - unable to see how the small chains are attached to the top of the tassel

I am completely dumbfounded and so are many historians from the US, Canada and England. As far as they have all stated, they have never seen anything like this.

I dont know the exact composition of the metal, I am hoping to get that test performed soon. PLEASE HELP !!!

 

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[ipsilateral]

I don't think you need a historian unless I'm missing something. You need a jeweler. The fact that the one pendant is gold plated is not a good sign for the value of the piece.. Take it to a jeweler and ask them if any part of it is gold. No matter what you find out, you can treasure it for the story of how you received it and pass it along to your daughter once she is old enough to wear it. Good luck!

 

[allan]

I found reference to the george clavert item here http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,552029.0.html maybe you could post a few macro pics of the clasp and items. the lady on the link was looking for info as well, try sending her a message

 

[Breezie]

I found reference to the george clavert item here http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,552029.0.html maybe you could post a few macro pics of the clasp and items. the lady on the link was looking for info as well, try sending her a message

Allan, I'm thinking this poster is the same as our poster.

I don't think you need a historian unless I'm missing something. You need a jeweler. The fact that the one pendant is gold plated is not a good sign for the value of the piece.. Take it to a jeweler and ask them if any part of it is gold. No matter what you find out, you can treasure it for the story of how you received it and pass it along to your daughter once she is old enough to wear it. Good luck!

Ipsilateral is right, take it to a reputable jeweler.

Breezie

 

[STLsweetheart314]

Haha yep that post is by me as well, told you I was desperate :-)

One problem with a reputable jeweler in St. Louis, is that I am unable to find one .... Reputable that is.

 

[Breezie]

Haha yep that post is by me as well, told you I was desperate :-)

One problem with a reputable jeweler in St. Louis, is that I am unable to find one .... Reputable that is.

In that case, take it to a Pawn Shop and tell them you want to sell it. They will test the bracelet and each charm, and will let you if they are the real deal or not. Then you can opt to sell or take it back home. Breezie

 

[STLsweetheart314]

Great idea, now just to find one that doesn't do a scratch test... It's a popular method here. Ok, off to the yellow pages :-). Thank you everyone for your responses. Oh and I was able to pull a close up picture of the 4th charm...I'll be posting it this afternoon. On the scroll it says "fatti mascheii, femine parole" (sp) Latin - current Maryland state motto

 

[crankyolman22]

Charm Bracelets are funny, People buy the bracelet then add charms to them as mementos of things, Travel, special events or whatever. A lot of times charms of different metals get added for whatever reason. Some of the charms bear a distinct look like a line of costume jewelry that used to be (and maybe still is) sold by J.C. Pennies called "1928" you might do a little searching there. They used a little tag rather than a stamped mark, and tags are easily removed. I did a quick search and see the style of the brand has changed over the years, this looks like their late 80's early 90's style to me.
If that's not it I'm with Breezie and the others on this one. Take it to a Jeweler or pawn shop or my favorite is to take it to a rock shop. I personally don't trust Pawn shops but you don't have to sell it to them. I also have my own gold/silver/platinum test kit. They aren't expensive on ebay or amazon and you can always trust yourself to be honest to you

 

[STLsweetheart314]

See, that's what I thought when I first was given the bracelet, just good ol' costume jewelry. This is why I let my daughter play with it not thinking twice. However, I didn't find any documentation of it being costume jewelry either, and between the Maryland Historic Society, The Victoria and Albert museum, Art Institute of Chicago, and my aunt (whom has 20+ years in fine jewelry working for Famous and Barr) No one can identify it. I can't find a designer of the piece, or another bracelet similar in style with these particular charms.

It's unusual if a designer, even a high end one, would use charms that reflect a symbol that (before the wonderful invention of the internet) was practically extinct outside of the Maryland Historic Society museum. One historian from the MDHS, advised me that this emblem is not common knowledge; even more so since it was so quickly replaced with George's sons design (replacing the two animal, with the two men) I just have a gut feeling that if this was a run-of-the-mill piece I would have been told, or found documentation of it....

Going fourth with the gold test, if it is 22k gold, even if its just the one pendant, it dates it to the 17th century, and anything less than than would place it mid 19th century. Just such a peculiar focal point for a main stream piece.

I have found that George Calvert was attempting to help marry the French and the Spanish, but it fell through, and that George Calvert was in France for business of behalf of King James I. Funny enough here is my theory on its background, remember: only a theory,

George Calvert "came out" as being Catholic, while all of England was very Protestant; this is why he fled England to Newfoundland (religious freedom) He was still able to retain some of his power and respect with King Charles I, and continued to hold his authority. The French were also very Catholic, along with Spain. King Charles I used the fact that George Calvert was Catholic to attempt to gain the alliances. This is why he wasn't fully persecuted, he was very highly respected. I believe this was a "token" of appreciation either to or from the King of France. Looking at the charms positioning when the bracelet is clasped, it shows the heart and the tassel next to each other, which symbolically creates George Calvert's family crest motto (now the maryland state motto)

Heart: love, very feminine
Tassel: high power or status (masculine, naturally) Maryland State motto: Manly deeds, feminine words

Leaving the 3 pedants in the middle: French coin, star, Calvert coat-of-arms - symbolically showing an alliance between George Calvert and the French at one point.

According to fashion history women would wear very large bulky bracelets and rings to make the hands look small and petite, and yes have the charms reflect a personal achievement.

So I am left wondering: Why these particular pendants and in this particular arrangement?

 

[ipsilateral]

Is it not a variation of the British Royal Coat of Arms (rearing lion and unicorn)? I think this is a common motif in fashion jewelry. I probably won't convince you, but a lot of these heraldic coats of arms have been adopted and adapted by others. My coat of arms for example has been used by Hollister Clothing Co. though it's been around for centuries..

 

[savant365]

Here is a silver one on ebay that looks the same.


http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Vintage-Silv...ultDomain_0&hash=item4cfa27622c#ht_1887wt_905

close up pic

http://jjtwoeightwest.esellerproimages.com/I/602/0/1136-6_2.jpg

 

[ipsilateral]

Savant is living up to his handle. Well played.

 

[Breezie]

Here is a silver one on ebay that looks the same.


http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/Vintage-Silv...ultDomain_0&hash=item4cfa27622c#ht_1887wt_905

close up pic

http://jjtwoeightwest.esellerproimages.com/I/602/0/1136-6_2.jpg

BINGO! We have a winner! Well done Savant
Excellent info Ipsilateral

STLsweetheart314, now you can GREEN check this one. Be sure to let all the local, nationwide and international historians know your mystery has been solved.

Breezie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Have you tried the Smithsonian?

 

[STLsweetheart314]

Is it not a variation of the British Royal Coat of Arms (rearing lion and unicorn)? I think this is a common motif in fashion jewelry. I probably won't convince you, but a lot of these heraldic coats of arms have been adopted and adapted by others. My coat of arms for example has been used by Hollister Clothing Co. though it's been around for centuries..

Wow, no kidding, Hollister? Shouldnt your family be recieving royalty/copyright fees for that? :-) But very interesting point!! Not something I had thought of before. I'll see if I can find something of a current age where this seal may have been adopted for commercial use (remember I am looking to either prove, or disprove it authenticity..I stay open minded, not expecting to hit the big one :-)

 

[ipsilateral]

Royalties? I don't think so. Just because something is a family tradition, does not mean the family has a trademark on it. And, my crest is used by other families as well with minor changes-- In that way, it isn't mine. We didn't invent the concept!

Well, I think in the case of your bracelet, the age and rarity has been disproven. It is neither old nor rare. Did you see the match that savant365 has located for you? Thanks for bringing your item to the forum. I think I can speak for all of us when I say, keep your eyes pealed and the next treasure will be out there for you.

 

[STLsweetheart314]

FINALLY! An answer!! Thank You SAVANT!! I knew someone had to know something! Excellent work :-)

And to ip... My royalties comment was a polite in nature joke, I am fully aware that you obviously didn't invent the concept... So apologies if you took my previous comment literally, no offense meant to be inflicted.

Thanks again SAVANT ():-)

 

[savant365]

FINALLY! An answer!! Thank You SAVANT!! I knew someone had to know something! Excellent work :-)

And to ip... My royalties comment was a polite in nature joke, I am fully aware that you obviously didn't invent the concept... So apologies if you took my previous comment literally, no offense meant to be inflicted.

Thanks again SAVANT ():-)

You are very welcome, I'm just sorry it didn't turn out to be rare find for you. I didn't really find out anything about it though, it might still be 14K, I would still go get it checked out.

HH Charlie