Posted 9 years ago
Bluboi
(103 items)
Love tokens, as defined by Joanne Schwartz in her book "Charms and Charm Bracelets" (great book!) have two criteria: hand-engraved and made from a coin that was once in circulation. As silver is an ideal material for engraving, most love tokens use silver coins, with (in the US) the Seated Liberty dime the material of choice. Most of the love tokens on the market today were made between 1876 through 1900.
Used as tokens of affection, souvenirs, or commemorations of events (birth, death, marriage), the love tokens were often incorporated into bracelets, brooches, watch fobs, etc. In their bracelet form, they can be classified as charm bracelets.
This bracelet is an outstanding handmade presentation bracelet, probably a wedding gift. There are 10 matching double-sided tokens engraved on dimes, all attached to a 9 cm (5/16") wide, fully-engraved silver band with a slide clasp.
Since I can only load 4 photos, I am only showing the pictorial side.
The tokens on one side of the bracelet are all pictures: foliage and flowers, a swan, bird, town, house, harbor, rocks in a body of water -- probably loads of symbolism in the choices! On the other side, there are initials (which I have tried to decipher): F H to L F Oct 23th 84 Ma Pa
That this one-of a kind bracelet is still intact (rather than pulled apart and the tokens sold separately) is amazing. I acquired it from Joan Munkacsi, an amazing and knowledgeable charm collector.
Amazing to see it as when it was made! Another collector document !
Thanks for sharing :-)
Hey Blueboi ....you can post another (additional) on this topic. This will be 1/of 2, and the other one can be 2/of 2. So just do another post with the other side posted.....so easy to past 8 images for one topic....just make it a continued story aka post.
Thanks Rose, I will add the backside photos tonight! Maybe someone with a better eye can translate the initials for me.
Kyra, I understand the economics of breaking these pieces apart but it is so sad. Luckily for me, Joan got her hands on it and saved it!
OK, have added Part 2 with the backs