DATE: Mid-Century, c.1950-60s

Mid 20th century maximalism… while minimalism was more-or-less the prevailing current throughout the artistic and aesthetic landscapes of the 20th century (certainly post WW2), there are always exceptions, and this - clearly - is one. A vintage silver charm bracelet fully loaded with ~50 individual charms. They cover various subjects/themes, a few highlights being: a working compass; champagne bottle in cooler, various modes of transport, cars, ships, trains, planes, etc, that all open up; a sailboat; and an enamelled skier. It dates from the 1950s-60s, and the owner certainly would have had to start a second if they kept adding to the collection.

Charms have always been a unique way to express individuality, often passed down the generations to be enjoyed and added to by descendants. Wearing charms is thought to have begun in order to ward off bad luck / evil spirits - part of human culture since pre-historic times when charms were made from shells, animal bones, clay, rocks and wood. There's evidence of shells being worn on the body from as far back as 75,000 years, and in ancient Egypt charms were worn as symbols of faith and luck, as well as for identification of social standing. The first known charm bracelets were worn by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and Hittites as early as 600 BC.

Since then they've come in and out of fashion. Queen Victoria inspired a charm bracelet trend among European nobles, and was said to have "loved to wear and give charm bracelets," and, "...when her beloved Prince Albert died, she even made "mourning" charms popular; lockets of hair from the deceased, miniature portraits of the deceased, charm bracelets carved in jet..." The next wave hit the 1920s, when the use of platinum and diamond was introduced by jewellers, and another in the 1950s and '60s when teenagers collected - or were given - charms to mark significant life events. Recently charm collections have had something of a resurgence once again, with companies such as Pandora showing huge growth since 2000 (Pandora is the third largest jewellery producer behind Tiffany and Cartier), but additionally an interest in sustainable shopping has sparked an enthusiasm for vintage and antique charms.

MEASUREMENTS 

Wearable length: 7.5 inches 

WEIGHT 

110g

MARKS 

Various silver marks

CONDITION 

Very good, with gorgeous patina