Gold, colored stone and enamel bangle-bracelet, Carlo Giuliano, 1874-1895

The oval hoop set all around with 12 round faceted stones mentioned in the building of Paradise in the Book of Revelations, including jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sard, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth and amethyst, separated by black and white enamel squares, one side of the bracelet decorated with the name of each stone in white champlevé enamel, the opposite side enameled in a foliate motif, signed C.G. in an oval in two places. With original fitted leather case signed C. Giuliano. 

An American Institution, sold by Christie's Geneva, November 15, 1972, lot 411.

A hinged bracelet with the same sequence of stones is illustrated by  Munn, Castellani and Giuliano, plates 141 and 142. 

At the end of the 19th century, jewelers who were eager to find new sources of inspiration turned to literary sources, including the works of Shakespeare and the Bible. The bracelet offered here itemizes the stones used in the building of Paradise in the Book of Revelations, Chapter XXI, verses 19-21. Each of the gems represents a virtue: Jasper, firmness and constancy; Sapphire, heavenly and beautiful thoughts; Chalcedony, ardent zeal; Emerald, suavity of manner; Sardonyx, variety of teaching; Sard, readiness for martyrdom; Chrysolite, restrained by no obstacles; Beryl, goodness of mind at all times; Jacinth, calmness in all things, and Amethyst, sobriety and temperance.