A 19th Century Etruscan revival or 'Archaeological style' hinged gold bangle, central concave oval panel inset with portrait miniature of a young girl wearing a white lace dress with blue bows to her shoulders and a coral necklace, reputedly by Thomas Bott, the mount with corded wirework decoration, two barrel hinges beside a wirework decorated bangle with applied Latin inscription Nam Tua Sum Ave Lux Mea, applied monogram JB for John Brogden, circa 1866 contained within John Brogden deep silk lined blue velvet fitted case. Notes: British jeweller John Brogden is best remembered for his highly intricate gold jewellry in the Etruscan-Revival style. Brogden first rose to prominence after winning a prize medal at the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1851. Originally a partner in the firm Watherston and Brogden, he opened his own workshop on Henrietta Street in Covent Garden in 1864 where he remained until 1881, three years before his death. The Victoria and Albert Museum houses several of his pieces as well as an archive album of the firm's original jewellery designs. Thomas Bott (1829 - 1870) was born near Kidderminster, and trained in his father's business of making spade handles. He took up drawing, and found work in a glass factory before training in Birmingham as a portrait painter. From Birmingham Bott went in 1852 to Worcester and became one of the main artists of the Royal Porcelain Works, being hired at the time of innovation with the Worcester enamel. His work in this new medium obtained distinction at Paris Exposition Universelle in 1855, and at the London 1862 International Exhibition.

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Nick Davies
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