Early 19th Century cut steel bracelet

Rare and early 19th Century cut steel bracelet. Nine navette shaped panels with integrated clasp. Large in scale and in great condition. French in origin. Circa 1800. 

Very similar bracelet housed in the St. Laurent Museum in Rouen France. 

Decorative plaque-shaped hidden push clasp. The bracelet measures 6.50" in length and 1.75" wide. 

Cut steel is an unlikely but effective diamond imitation, with a dark sparkle like that of rose cut diamonds. It is said, materials for the earliest examples were obtained from discarded horseshoe nails. Each point of sparkle is a faceted stud of steel individually riveted to a metal base to form wonderful shapes. Pieces that survive today command a lot of attention, especially considering their humble beginnings. Fine cut-steel jewelry emits an ethereal glimmer when worn in low light, just as it was intended to be worn 160+ years ago by glimmering candles.