Antique jewelry glossary

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Bangle

A non-flexible arm ornament (circular or oval) that slips over the hand or is hinged and closed by a clasp. Such pieces have been made in many styles and sizes, with or without decoration, and of gold, silver, coral, amber, glass, etc.

They are worn on the wrist or the lower or upper arm (sometimes several together). They have been made in many regions and in many periods, from the Middle La Tène Period (300 BC-100BC) of the Iron Age onward until today, especially in Africa and Asia.

Some were made in Rome of glass, clear or variously coloured.

From: An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, autor: Harold Newman, publishers: Thames and Hudson