The History of the Bracelet
A piece of jewellery worn on the wrist now takes many forms, from the classic tennis bracelet to the highly sentimental charm bracelet. They can be dripping with diamonds or woven with humble strands of yarn, saved for a special occasion or never removed. But where did they originate? How did the bracelet become so popular?
Origins of the Bracelet
Historians cannot pinpoint exactly when people started adorning their wrists with jewellery, but it’s likely to be as early as 7000 years ago. What started as strips of vine, grass and branches tied around the wrist soon developed into bracelets of copper and bronze. Jewellery started symbolising an individual’s status in life and was decorated with natural objects such as shells and pretty stones.
Bracelets of gold and silver started to be made some time after the Bronze Age, and in ancient Egypt, artisans would decorate them with an array of African gemstones. Meanwhile in Asia, jade and gold were the materials of choice for Chinese artisans, who drew upon natural and mythical influences, carving elaborate designs into cuffs and bangles. Gold bangles were also popular in India and over time metal and glass were used to create bangles in a variety of colours.
Bracelets in Europe
Ancient Europe also adopted bracelets in many forms. In Greece, decorative cuffs were worn on the upper and lower arm and soldiers adorned strips of leather and metal on their arms for protection. Romans copied these bracelets in their armour but were also known for wearing coiled bracelets of gold that resembled snakes.
Bracelets were not as popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, but by the 17th Century, women wore several bangles and ribbons on their wrists at a time. The Victorian era brought charm bracelets into the forefront, and chain bracelets linking medallions and cameos were also popular. By this time, Europe was starting to see the variety of bracelet styles that we know today, as the rise of mass production meant that jewellery was becoming more affordable. The more ornate and extravagant the bracelet, the better.
Modern Bracelets
The Art Deco era brought clean lines into jewellery, and bracelets favoured geometric shapes and set gemstones rather than the lockets and pearls of the 19th Century. As time moved on, man-made materials were being used to create fun and vibrant bracelet designs: plastic bangles, leather cuffs and beaded bracelets all had their moment in the spotlight.
21st Century Bracelets
Nowadays it’s common to wear a bracelet that holds sentimental or philanthropic value. Jewellery designers often work with charities to produce bracelets supporting a particular campaign or cause. Charm bracelets can be added to over a number of years, with each charm holding a particular memory for the wearer. You can choose to make a statement with a bracelet, or you can wear one simply because you like it!
Here at Cuttings, we love bracelets of all shapes and sizes and carry a wide range of new and vintage styles in our current stock. Why not take a look?
