Sterling Cuff Bracelet with Birds in an Open Cutwork Border, circa 1880

Substantial silver bangle bracelet with an elliptical border of open cutwork featuring delicate daisies and swirl designs. The delicate openwork border surrounds smaller raised ellipse at center which with a delicate carved composition of a bird and a bee together in flight. An arabesque design flanks each side of the elipse to complete the symmetrical arrangement. These were Western interpretations copied from the Japanese aesthetic movement, but were made by Birmingham manufacturers for mass consumption and firmly rooted in Victorian England. The message inscribed on the inside reads: "To Sister Caroline on Your 21St...Frank" The bracelet is a hefty 1 1/2" wide and measures 7 3/4" inches around, and is 1/4 inch deep.