Vintage Yogya Silver Cuff Bangle Pierced Peacock Foliate Design 800 Silver Mid 20th Century - C3083

Summary

A vintage mid century Yogya silver cuff bangle, handmade in 800 grade silver with a deeply worked openwork peacock and foliate design. Marked 800 RS, with the RS workshop mark currently unidentified.

Description

A vintage handmade silver cuff bangle from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, dating to the mid 20th century.

The centre is dominated by a pair of stylised peacocks beneath a large fanned tail, surrounded by scrolling foliage and pierced openwork. The detail is particularly fine, with engraved feathering, chased leaves and deeply recessed areas which retain an attractive dark patination and give the design a defined three dimensional quality.

The bangle is made in the traditional Yogya or Djokja silver style associated with Yogyakarta and nearby Kotagede. Silver working in the region has a long history, originally connected with the courts of the Mataram rulers. The industry expanded significantly during the Dutch colonial period and particularly during the 1930s, and mid century Yogya silver became well known internationally for handmade jewellery and decorative wares combining traditional Javanese decoration with designs adapted for an export market.

Peacocks appear as a recognised subject in Yogya silver alongside lotus flowers, foliage, dragons and other designs drawn from Javanese decorative traditions. Period references note twin peacocks and related subjects amongst designs used by Yogyakarta silversmiths from the 1930s onward. Here the paired birds and fully spread tail create a balanced central composition across the width of the cuff.

The cuff is entirely handmade, with the piercing, engraving and chasing carried out individually. That hand workmanship is characteristic of traditional Kotagede production, where manual techniques remained central even as silverware became increasingly commercial and export oriented.

To the inside is a small applied pad marked 800 over RS. The 800 mark denotes the silver standard commonly encountered on vintage Yogya silver. Maker's marks were widely used from the 1930s onward, but many remain unidentified; RS does not currently appear to have a secure attribution in the commonly referenced Djokja records. The darkened recessed areas are largely retained period patination, which works well with the pierced and engraved decoration.

Condition

Very good vintage condition with light age related surface wear. Note the bangle is handmade and not a factory produced item. The pierced and engraved decoration remains crisp and well defined. Attractive dark patination is retained within the recessed areas. The cuff is currently shaped to fit a wrist of approximately 17cm.

Approximate Measurements

• Wrist Fit: Approximately 17cm [6.69in]
• Width at Centre: 4.3cm [1.69in]
• Width at Ends: 2cm [0.79in]
• Weight: 34.9g [1.23oz]
• Material: 800 silver
• Origin: Yogyakarta / Java, Indonesia
• Date: Mid 20th century
• Decoration: Peacocks and scrolling foliage
• Mark: 800 RS
• Construction: Handmade pierced, engraved and chased silver

C3083 AG26-4

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