A Mystery to Me

I found this bangle bracelet in my favorite antique / junk shop years ago. Its tarnished silver, its 25 petite bangles, and its engraved name plate all drew me in for a closer look, and then I bought it.

The plate which holds all the bangles together reads: "1911 Helen 1936". There are a total of 25 bangles, the difference between 36 and 11. I wonder if it was made in memory of a girl named Helen whose life spanned those 25 short years? I did an online search and found a few girls named Helen who lived from 1911 to 1936. I wonder if she was engaged or married? Did she have children? Someone must have loved her to have this bracelet made.

{click the photo for a larger view}

I think it is silver, from the way it is tarnished and the way that one of the bangles cleaned up with silver polish. Can someone tell me, is there a way to tell if something is sterling if it's not marked? I have an idea for it, but I wanted to find out if it was sterling or silver plate. Regardless, I am looking forward to showing you what I do with it at a later date.

Thanks for stopping by ~
Take care and God bless,
Lana
~*~

***** UPDATE*****
Pam of Kingfisher Farm Teddies mentioned this:
"Lana, I think it is sterling. and I think it was a 25th anniversary gift, 36-11 = 25"

Pam, I never thought of an anniversary gift but it makes perfect sense! Silver was the suggested gift for a 25h anniversary. Thank you! :)