There are fwc different Hebrew words which the English Bible renders by bracelet, besides the Greek term xKtdwv, which is thus rendered twice in the Apoc-
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rypha (Judith x, 4; Ecclus. xxi, 21). These are, (1.) (T15SX, etsadah' (properly a step-chain or anklet), which occurs in Num. xxxi, 50; 2 Sam. i, 10, and with reference to men only. (2.) TVQX, tsamid' (literally a fastener), which is found in Gen. xxiv, 22, 80, 47 ; Num. xxxi, 50 ; Ezek. xvi, 11 ; xxiii, 42. Where these two words occur together (as in Num. xxxi, 50), the first is rendered by "chain," and the second by "bracelet." (3.) FlilttJ, she roth' , chains (so called from being wreathed), which occurs only in Isa. iii, 19; but compare the expression "wreathen chains" in Ex. xxviii, 14, 22. Bracelets of fine twisted Vene- tian gold are still common in Egypt (Lane, ii, 3GS, Append. A and plates). The first we take to mean armlets worn bj' men ; the second, bracelets worn by women and sometimes by men ; and the third, a pe- culiar bracelet of chain-work worn only by women. It is observable that the first two occur in Num. xxxi, 50, which we suppose to mean that the men offered their own armlets and the bracelets of their wives. In the only other passage in which the first word occurs it de- notes the royal ornament which the Amalekite took from the arm of the dead Saul, and brought with the other regalia to David. There is little question that this was such a distin- guishing band of jewel- led metal as we still find worn as a mark of roy- alty from the Tigris to the Ganges. The Egyp- tian kings are represent- ed with armlets, which were also worn by the
Ancient Egyptian Bracelets: 1. Bronze Bangle; Bracelet of Gold.
Egyptian women. These, however, are not jewelled, but of plain enamelled metal, as was in all likelihood the case among the Hebrews. (4.) i~in (chah, properly a hook or ring), rendered " bracelet" in Exo'l. xxxv, 22, elsewhere "hook" or " chain," is thought by some to designate in that passage a clasp for fastening the dress of females, by others more probably a nose-ring or jewel. See Eau-ring. (SEPT'S (patkil', athread), rendered "bracelet" in the account ofJudah's interview with Tamar (Gen. xxxviii, 18, 25 ; elsewhere rendered " lace," "line," etc.), probably denotes the ornamental cord or safe-chain with which the signet was suspended in the bosom of the wearer. See Sigxet. Men as well as women wore brace- lets, as we see from Cant, v, 14, which may be rendered, "His wrists are circlets of gold full setwith topazes." Layard says oftheAssyrian
kings, "The arms were encircled by armlets, and the. wrists by bracelets, all equally remarkable for the taste and beauty of the design and workmanship. In the centre of the bracelets were stars and rosettes, which were probably inlaid with precious stones" {Nineveh, ii, 323). The ancient ladies of Rome were likewise accus- tomed to wear bracelets, partly as amulets (q. v.) and partly for ornament ; the latter chiefly by women of
Ancient Roman Bracelets: 1. A Lady's, having a Rosette in the centre, with holes at each end where others tvi iv once attached (found at Rome); 2. Composed of two gold Wirea twisted together, with a peculiar Clasp; 3. A heavy (/oil, evidently a military Token of Honor.
considerable rank, whose jewels of this kind were often of immense value, being enriched with the most costly gems. Bracelets were also occasionally given among the Romans to soldiers as a reward of extraordinary prowess (see Smith's Diet, of Class. Ant. s. v. Armilla). Bracelets are, and always have been, much in use among Eastern females. Many of them are of the same shapes and patterns as the armlets, and are often
Ancient Assyrian Bracelets and Bracelet Clasp. From the Ninevite Sculptures.
Modern Oriental Bracelets, each half the real Size: 1. A ride View of a Diamond Bracelet, with a front View of the mine; 2. Front and side View of the most fashionable kind of gold Bracelet, formed of a simpla
Twist; 3. A very common kind of twisted Gold; 4. A Band of Gold.
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of such considerable weight and bulk as to appear J more like manacles than ornaments. Many are often worn one above the other on the same arm, so as to occupy tin- greater part of the space between the wrist { anil the elbow. The materials vary according to the condition of the wearer, but it. seems to be the rule that bracelets of the meanest materials are better than none. Among the higher classes they are of mother- of-pearl, of line flexible gold, and of silver, the last being the most common. The poorer women use plated steel, horn, brass, copper, beads, and other ma- | terials of a cheap description. Some notion of the size i and value of the bracelets used both now and in an- cient times may be formed from the fact that those which were presented by Eliezer to Rebekah weighed ten shekels (Gen. xxiv, 22). The bracelets are some- times flat, but more frequently round or semicircular, except at the point where they open to admit the hand, i where they are flattened. They are frequently hol- low, giving the show of bulk (which is much desired) without the inconvenience. Bracelets of gold twisted rope-wise are those now most used in Western Asia ; but we cannot determine to what extent this fashion may have existed in ancient times. See Attire.