Striking antique hinged bangle, crafted in solid 800 silver with commanding presence and intricate artistry.
This piece hails from the Tunisian/Middle Eastern tradition, where ornamental silverwork thrived under both Islamic and European influence, yet it proudly bears the French Crab hallmark (introduced in 1838), guaranteeing its silver purity at 800/1000 and confirming its manufacture or assay in Paris.
The bangle’s bold square central panel rises in high relief, decorated with ornate filigree swirls and pseudo-Arabic calligraphy – an artistic script that echoes the flowing beauty of Arabic letters but was often used symbolically in jewellery, textiles, and architectural motifs to convey a sense of the exotic “Orient.”
Flanking the central plaque are two large domed circular terminals, pierced with crescent moons and star motifs – ancient symbols long associated with Islamic art, Ottoman design, and Middle Eastern craftsmanship. At the very center of each dome sits a stylized rosette, radiating both balance and symmetry. The bangle’s sides continue the theme with flowing foliate filigree, completing the ornate surround.
The closure is a rod/pin clasp, robust and functional, characteristic of 19th to early 20th-century silver bracelets from North Africa and the Middle East, designed for durability as well as elegance.
Pieces such as this reflect the 19th–early 20th century fascination with Orientalism, when European silversmiths (particularly in Paris) produced jewellery that blended Islamic-inspired motifs with Western forms. The pseudo-Arabic calligraphy was a hallmark of this style – not intended to be read, but rather admired for its flowing, exotic aesthetic.
This is a chunky, statement-making antique bangle, a wearable relic of both Islamic artistry and European silversmithing, bridging two worlds. Rare examples like this are increasingly sought-after, with comparable pieces demanding R3000+ online, though finer examples with provenance and hallmarking such as this one can command considerably more.
Measurements :The bangle with a inner circumference of 17cm , diameter ( left to right ) of 5.8cm and 3.6cm wide.Weight of 53grams
