Victorian Bois Durci & Whitby Jet Bracelet, Rare

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This lovely early Victorian bracelet is a classic and rare find. It is also quite fascinating as the center bead and tall,tapered beads are signed and are unmistakably the product of Davenport & Cole (patent 1863). The beads they produced are both in the style of and have the look of carved Whitby jet yet there is no evidence of this material having been named and all that exists is the 1863 patent by Davenport and Cole of the UK for a material made of gutta percha and papier mache. Interestingly these patented pieces are universally and mistakenly called Bois Durci, which, in fact, they are not. This is no doubt because it has no trade name and people want to call it something. In any case, these D & C beads are molded and not carved and we are bending to convention for the initial identification of this bracelet. They are also signed, which we show in the small inset photo. In addition to the centerpiece, there is a pair of simple rectangular panels on the side of the bracelet which are, although unsigned, Bois Durci as well. All of the other major beads are hand carved Whitby jet. The pair of Whitby jet beads on either side of the Bois Durci centerpiece have curved backs and exquisite oval faceted Whtiby jet tops. In fact all of the Whitby beads have geometric carving, some on their tops and sides and others such as the center read more

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