Bracelet
Unknown Artist
16th century
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
Overall (a): 4 1/2 x 3/16 in. (11.5 x 0.5 cm) Overall (b): 2 7/8 x 3/16 in. (7.3 x 0.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Gold
Culture
Spanish
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.154a, b
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 16th-century Spanish bracelet, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Medieval Art Department, exemplifies the opulent metalwork of Renaissance-era Spain Crafted from pure gold, it consists of two segments—measuring 4½ x ³⁄₁₆ inches (11.5 x 0.5 cm) and 2⅞ x ³⁄₁₆ inches (7.3 x 0.5 cm)—likely designed to clasp around the wrist with elegant simplicity. Though the artist remains unknown, the piece reflects the high level of goldsmithing skill prevalent in Spain during a time of immense wealth from New World explorations and the Habsburg monarchy's patronage of the arts. Gold's...