This wonderful bracelet is of gilded (gold-plated) silver. It is in two parts that are hollow and hinged, coming together with a screw mechanism.
The bracelet is a fine example of South Indian silver work, production of which centred on Madras.
Comprising chased silver sheet, it has two fierce makara head terminals. Between the principal makaras, in their gaping mouths, is a magical, round jewel decorated in high relief with floral motifs. The jewel is surmounted by a finial that hides a screw that keeps the two halves of the bracelet together. A similar bracelet is in Traditional Jewellery of India, Untracht p.254