An attractive Art Nouveau enamel butterfly bracelet by Carreras

An attractive Art Nouveau enamel butterfly bracelet by Carreras, c1905, designed as a series of four slightly curved open yellow gold panels, each with a different butterfly motif amongst foliage on frosted glass ground, the four butterflies and two further insects each decorated with plique-à-jour and cloisonné polychrome enamel, one butterfly resting with wings folded and the others outstretched, the foliage decorated with shaded light green enamel, signed with applied gold plaque to reverse 'E de A. Carreras Barcelona', each plaque 4.3cm x 4cm, 19cm long, in fitted case marked 'Antigua Joyeria Carreras Paseo Gracia 30 calle Fernando 44 Bakcalona'

The Carreras were the oldest family of Spanish jewellers founded by Francesco d'Assis Carreras Duran (1797-1862) in Barcelona. The firm created magnificant jewels in a very traditional style for clients from across the Iberian Peninsula. At the start of the 20th century, influenced by the House of Masriera, the workshop began to follow a more modernistic current in a style called 'Modernisme', Barcelona's own version of Art Nouveau.

For more information on Carreras please refer to 'Dictionnaire International Bijou', p.108