Spanish 18K Gold Gem-Set and Diamond Bracelet with Indian Motifs

Our magnificent 18K gold, gem-set and diamond bracelet, attributed to the legendary Barcelona jewellers, Fuset y Grau, circa 1930, features a ceremonial Indian procession of elephants, exotic animals, royalty in carriage.  It has three chased gold openwork panels decorated with a variety of calibre-cut colored stones, including sapphires, rubies, emeralds, cora, turquoise and onyx, plus small round diamonds, divided by three elephant heads carved from bone, and studded with colored stone cabochons at the base.  1 3/4 in (4.4 cm) wide and 7 3/4 in (19.7 cm) long .  In its original gift box measuring 9.75 by 3 by 1 in (24.8 by 7.6 by 2.5 cm). 

Apparently unsigned.  In good condition.  On the panel depicting two elephants there is a missing emerald and appear to be missing gemstones from two other areas.

Additional images forwarded upon request.

Fuset y Grau was a leading figure of the Modernista movement in jewelry, sharing this reputation with another contemporary jeweller and compatriot, Lluis Masriera. Both were active in Barcelona from the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth. Fuset y Grau was one of the leading artisanal houses of its time. Its excellence was rewarded at the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris where it was invited to exhibit its creations in 1925.  The Spanish house is also distinguished by its way of combining bone, plique-à-jour enamels, pearls and the use of highlighting with gold engraving.  The firm also designed and produced bracelets, pendants and brooches exhibiting other exotic cultural themes, including those of the Aztecs and Assyrians.

For a Spanish bracelet of similar form with Assyrian theme, see lot 243 from the Sotheby's sale in New York on September 28, 2010 which closed at $80,500.