Bracelet by Pierre-Jules Chaise, enamelled gold and diamonds

Bracelet with portrait miniatures
Pierre-Jules Chaise
About 1850
Paris
Enamelled gold, rose and brilliant-cut diamonds, ivory and mother-of-pearl
Museum no. M.12:1-3-1955
Bequeathed by Mrs. H. Digby Neave, granddaughter of Mr and Mrs Ralli

This portrait shows a typical hairstyle of the 1850s.  Hair was worn parted in the middle and loosely swept over the ears into a low bun at the back.

This miniature portrait is part of a bracelet that was made to take the portraits of Mr. Pandeli Ralli and Mrs. E. Ralli.  Mr. Ralli appears as a client in the ledgers of the Royal Goldsmith's R&S Garrard in 1838.  He bought a diamond head ornament for £200 and a matching bracelet for £45.