|The Victoria & Albert Museum| This delicate jewel of marine
coral and African gold depicts intricately carved flowers
emerging from a woven basket. This sort of naturalistic jewelry
became especially popular in the mid-Nineteenth Century,
especially in Italy where this bracelet was made. Coral’s
softness allowed for easy carving, but it could also be used in
its natural form, taking advantage of the appeal of its natural
branches in styles reminiscent of those from Asia and Africa.
Most of the coral used in Europe came from the sea near Naples,
Italy, and the medium quickly became a favorite symbol of world
travel around 1815.