Whytes The Eclectic Collector 13 June 2015

602 / 635

506A
A fine 19th century Japanese gold bracelet
Ten scalloped circular links of variously coloured gold and niello
depicting Japanese birds, each link engraved to the reverse, including
a nine character mark.
By family repute this bracelet was given to the vendor’s Great-Grand
Father, Arthur Smyth RM at the Japanese Imperial Court when he was
an aide to the Duke of York (later King George V) and his brother when
they toured the East in the 1880’s.The tour of the East by Prince Albert
Victor and Prince George of Wales in the 1880’s is outlined in some
detail in the “The cruise of Her Majesties Ship Bacchante, 1879-1882.”
A.C Smyth is listed as Lieutenant of Marines. The visit to Japan (October
and November, 1881) is described in Volume II in detail. On page 31 it
mentions, the officers of the squadron, …. in full dress were presented
one by one to the Emperor and Empress.””
7_in. (19.05cm)
€500-€700