gold bracelet with sapphire and diamond

A royal present. An 18-carat yellow gold bracelet featuring a large twisted gold wire with a removable appliqué with the initials ‘WE’ in sapphires and diamonds. With the use of a separate brooch frame, the appliqué can also be worn as a brooch secured with a small screw. The bracelet was designed by As. Bonebakker & Zoon, and made by them with their master mark: Firma van den Eersten & Hofmeijer. In its original case.

weight bracelet without applique: 53 grams
weight appliqué with screw: 11 grams
total weight: 64 grams
weight brooch: 5 grams
dimensions appliqué; 3.9 x 2.8 cm
dimensions inside bracelet: 5.5 x 4.7 cm
diameter bracelet: 16.5 mm for a small wrist
width: 5.5 mm

The bracelet was originally a gift from Queen Regent Emma and Queen Wilhelmina expressing their gratitude for the hospitality they received while touring the 11 Dutch provinces between 1891-1896. Its purpose was to familiarise Wilhelmina with her nation and her people in preparation of her forthcoming role as reigning monarch in 1898. During these visits, the two stayed in the houses of the commissioners of the queen, a logistical challenge that surely brought concern to the ladies of the house hosting such esteemed guests. As a gesture of gratitude for their hospitality, the queens bestowed a priceless bracelet with their initials upon these hostesses.

It appears that six such bracelets were created in this distinctive style, with Bonebakker crafting three adorned with rubies and the other three with sapphires. When two provinces were visited in succession, one lady was presented with a bracelet with sapphires, while the other received one with rubies.

A fun detail about this bracelet is that it was in the news on various occasions. The Dutch newspaper het Algemeen Handelsbad reported on 5 September 1895 that ‘Mrs Lycklama received a beautiful gold bracelet from Her Majesties as a souvenir, with the initials W. and E. during a visit to the Province of Overijssel. Similarly, the provincial Drentsche en Asser Courant wrote on 7 September 1895: ‘The wife of the Queen’s Commissioner in Overijssel, Mrs Lycklama à Nijeholt, received a beautiful bracelet decorated with diamonds, part of which can be secured as a brooch, as a token of gratitude from the Queen.’