Victorian Malachite Four Leaf Clover Bracelet

antique_Victorian_Malachite_Four_Leaf_Clover_Bracelet

The Victorians were big on symbology. This gorgeous Victorian sterling silver bracelet has alternating malachite four leaf clovers with round cut malachite. There is extra synchronicity with the use of malachite, as it represents personal transformation and support in times of change, where as the four clover as we know it represents good luck. A detail we appreciate with this bracelet is that the clasp is hidden within a malachite link.

Circa: Victorian
Gemstone: Malachite
Material: Sterling Silver
Motif: Four Leaf Clover
Symbolism: The four leaf clover is a symbol of luck, prosperity and success for the wearer. With the emigration of the Irish to England, this was a very popular motif in the Victorian era.
Length: 18.00 cm

Victorian Period (1837 - 1901):
The Victorian Period defined by none other than Queen Victoria herself, had three stages - the Romantic, the Grand and the Aesthetic.

  It was during the Romantic era that Queen Victoria married her Prince, Albert. Sentimental motifs such as; hearts, lover’s knots, flowers, bows, crescent moons and particularly serpents (which was subject to Queen Victoria’s engagement ring which represented enduring love) became extremely popular in jewellery design. Cameos, Enamelling and the use of bright coloured gemstones such as; garnets, amethysts, turquoise, pearls and diamonds gave way to the creation of jewellery that was beginning to speak a symbolic language of its own.  

The Grand era was a sombre period which saw Queen Victoria mourning the death of her beloved husband Albert. It encompassed 20 years during which time Victoria would only wear black and mourning jewellery. As a result the Whitby Jet industry flourished and onyx and deeper coloured garnets rose in popularity. Rings, lockets and brooches were commissioned with compartments for a lock of a loved one’s hair and were often engraved with the person’s name, age and date of death.  

The Aesthetic era saw a return to the light-heartedness of the Romantic Era. The discoveries being made through archaeology led to an Etruscan Revival with Greek, Roman and Renaissance influences becoming apparent in jewellery design as well as symbols of good luck and fortune.