1940s Rings Bracelet, Smooth Yellow Gold

1940’s BRACELET
18k gold. Half circles and tilted sides links.
Circa 1940.

Dimensions : 19 x 1,7 cm approx.
Weight : 27,7 g (18k – 750/1000 – mark : 750).
Secure clasp.
Very good condition, except for 4 small recesses on the half circles, two sides face and two sides back, barely visible.

History and style:
During the Second World War, as the supply of precious stones became considerably scarce, jewelers turned to gold as the main material. The 1940s and 1950s thus saw the emergence of essentially haloed creations, where gold, devoid of stones, became the sole protagonist. Yet what might seem deceptively simple – polished gold with a smooth sheen – becomes a veritable playground for artistic expression. Faced with this constraint, jewellers multiply shapes and volumes, creating complex plays of light. Each piece of jewellery becomes a work in its own right, where light is captured and reflected by a multitude of facets.
Take this bracelet for example: the apparent simplicity of its half-rings hides a remarkable sophistication. Each of them has four distinct facets – front, back, sides – and a subtle bevel at the upper corner that enriches the play of reflections. The links between the rings, in the form of delicate bridges, are faceted five times, their sides slightly narrower than the central bridge creating a fine border.
This abundance of surfaces, all oriented differently, transforms the piece of jewellery into a true light catcher. Thus, behind the apparent simplicity of this piece of jewellery lies meticulous work aimed at exploiting all the potential of gold. Every facet, every angle, every curve has been studied to capture the light and restore it with brilliance, making this jewel a true object of fascination.