Of gate linking interspersed with a series of rectangular compartments each containing a lock of hair, glazed with rock crystal, and a single collet-set sapphire; the reverse inscribed with the names, Franz, Max, Carl and Anna, mounted in yellow gold,

Cf: 'Von Kind Zum Kaiser', Kindheit und erste Jugend Kaiser Franz Josephs I, Egon Corti, Verlag Anton Pustet/Graz-Sazlburg Wien
1950, page 82 - 83, where this very bracelet is mentioned.

Mounted in yellow gold. Very well articulated bracelet. Sapphire in a closed back setting so unable to comment on colour, typical inclusions visible with magnification. Each glazed compartment with scratches and small nicks to surfaces. Hair in good condition, good colour. One gate link damaged, only visible to reverse, could benefit from attention by a professional jeweller. Secure clasp, safety chain. Scratches and indentations to gold consistent with age and wear. Engraving to reverse clear. In good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This bracelet was given to Sophi𒈔e The Princess of Bavaria by her husband Archduke Franz Karl Joseph of Aus💮tria probably in 1835 following the birth of their daughter and fourth child Maria Anna. 

The gold locket bracelet with four glazed compartments containing individual locks of hair from four of their children.  Respectively inscribed to the underside Franz, Max, Carl and Anna. 

Franz Joseph (18th August 1830 - 21☂st November 1916), later Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph I 𓆉of Austria

Franz Joseph, the oldest son of Franz Karl and his wife Princess Sophie of Bavar🙈ia, was groomed by his mother to be the future emperor of the Austrian Empire.  Following the resignation of the Chancellor Prince Metternich during the 1848 revolutions, he was appointed governor of Bohemia; however he never took up his position and instead joined Field Marshal Radetzky on campaign in Italy.  Following the victory over t🅘he Italians, Prince Windischgratz was determined to place the young Archduke on the throne.  It was felt that a new Emperor would not be constrained by the ties towards constitutional government which had been imposed on Ferdinand, and that a new young Emperor was needed to replace the mentally unfit monarch. Subsequently at Olmutz on the 2nd December, by the abdication of his uncle Ferdinand and the renunciation of his father Franz Karl, Franz Joseph was proclaimed Emperor of Austria.

 In 1854 Franz Joseph was married to the younger daughter of his mothers sister, Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, Duchess in Bavaria, Princess of Bavaria, "Sisi".  Sadly their marriage was not happy; unable to adapt to court life, they always suffered disagreements with the Royal family, as well as being plagued by a series of family tragedies.  Their first daughter Sophie died as an infant whi⭕le the heir to the the Crown Prince Rudolf died in the infamous Mayerling suicide pact of 1889 along with his mistress Baroness Mary Vetsera.  While on the 10th September in 1898 the Empress was stabbed to death by an Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni while she was walking along the promenade of Lake Geneva.  In 1914 Franz Joseph witnessed the assassination in Sarajevo of the heir to the throne Archduke Franz Ferdinand, leading to the cataclysmic events of the Great War.  In 1916 aged 86, after reigning for 68 years the Emperor Franz Joseph died mid way through the Great War having already been witness to the events that were to sweep away some of the great dynasties of Europe.  After the the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by ๊the allied forces the monarchy was dissolved.

Maximilian (6th July 1832 - 19th June 1896), later Emperor of Mexico, Maximilian I ꦐof Mexi🌱co

As a result of Napoleon III desire for Imperial expansion he persuaded Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph, second son of Archduke Franz Karl of Austria and Sophie, Princess of Bavaria, to take the throne of Mexico, which he accepted being proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on the 10th April 1864.  Many foreign governments refused to acknowledge his claim especially the United States as a result of the Monroe Doctrine, and his power was tenuous at best, relying mainly on the support of French troops.  In 18꧟66 in the face of continued Mexican Republican and US resistance, Napoleon III withdrew his troops, although the principle reason was due to increased German Power under the influence of Bismarck.  Though urged to abandon Mexico by Napoleon III, Maximilian refused to abandon his followers.  The monarchist where finally defeated by the Republican forces on May 15th 1867.  The Emperor was court-martial and sentenced to death. In spite of many crowned heads of Europe and eminent liberals pleading for the Emperors life, the sentence was carried out on the 19th June 1867.  Maximilian's body was embalmed and displayed in Mexico before finally being interred in the Imperial crypt in Vienna the following year.

Carl Ludwig﷽💯 (30th July 1833 - 19th May 1896), father of Franz Ferdinand and grandfather to Emperor Charles I of Austria

The third son of Archduke Franz Karl of Austria and Sophie, Princess of Bavaria, married three times and﷽  was the father of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. After the death of his nephew at the Mayerling hunting lodge in 1889, he became heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian Empire but renounced his right to 💮the succession in favour of his eldest son Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination at Sarajevo in 1914 helped trigger the First World War.

Maria Anna (27th October 1835 - 5th February 1840)