Star sapphire link bracelet by Leon Gariod, fine antique jewelry

Magnificent antique French 18k yellow gold & silver link bracelet crafted by Leon Gariod featuring a large stunning vivid blue oval cabochon cut star sapphire (1.65cm x 1.42cm in size & 1.13cm in thickness) and 96 rose cut diamonds. Dimensions: Length 18.70cm (7.36in) – Weight 39.60g – Exceptional condition – Highest quality jeweller’s craftsmanship – Master Mark clearly visible – Circa 1880 – What a bracelet!

Let's start looking at the master mark in this piece. We see an "L" and a "G" which was the "poiçon de maître" (French for "master mark") for Léon Gariod. This company was established by Gaucher and Tonnelier in 1859. Gaucher became the sole owner in 1869 and started a partnership with Gariod in 1875 who took over the company in 1884. The company with its address in Rue St. Augustin 29 in Paris became specialized in articulated bracelets and mat gold chains with precious stones.

What's interesting about this company is that they worked very closely together with L.Gautrait, an illuster jeweller of the Art Nouveau period of who not much, if any, biographical information is known. According to Vever (who wrote the "bible" for antique jewelers around 1900), Gautrait was a "ciseleur-modeleur" and fidèle collaborateur" of the Parisian jewellers Léon Gariod. Vever characterised his collegue as an "excellent perfectionistic jeweller with a delicate taste".

Vever continues: "These simple yet decorative jewels were meticulously made and extremely popular. With his attractive brooches and his pendants of contemporary or traditional inspiration, Gariod's work has attracted a great deal of attention. With his faithful collaborator M.(...M and not L ! - Adin) designs and chases these creations, characterized by their great refinement.

Antique jewelry object group: bracelet

Country of origin: France

Style: Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
See also: Victorian or more info on styles

Period: ca. 1880
(events and facts in 1880)

Material: Mostly in 18K gold but the center part is silver on top and backed with 18K yellow gold (see explanation on silver on gold).
(more info on precious metals)

Diamonds: 96 rose cut diamonds (ten more as in the other bracelet). We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
Note: All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Precious stones: One oval cabochon cut star sapphire with a size of approx. 1.65 cm x 1.42 cm (0.65 x 0.56 inch) and a total thickness of 1.13 cm (0.44 inch)
(more info on precious stones)

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and sapphire for September.
(more info on birthstones)

Brand: Master mark (clearly visible on picture) is by Léon Gariod

Hallmarks: The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838 and the French control mark representing an rhinoceros' head that was in use in France from about 1847. - (general hallmarks info)
Condition: excellent condition
(more info on our condition scale)

Dimensions: length 18.70 cm (7.36 inch)

Weight: 39.60 gram (25.46 dwt)

Reference Nº: 10298-0001

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

See also our:
victorian bracelets
victorian jewelry
jewelry with rose cut diamonds
jewelry with sapphire
bracelets
all signed jewelry
jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for April
jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for September
latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
January - February - March - April - May - June - July
August - September - October - November or December.


Additional information:
jewelry glossary - wall of fame - visit us in Antwerp - subscribe to our mailinglist.


What is antique jewelry? - What is estate jewelry? - What is vintage jewelry?