Brazilian Treasures

Georgian Cannetille Brooch with Imperial Topazes, c. 1825

€ 9,590.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Georgian Cannetille Brooch with Imperial Topazes, c. 1825

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

When news of the discovery of the rich topaz deposits of Ouro Preto in Brazil reached Lisbon in 1768, the Portuguese court under Joseph I organized a grand celebration. Rumors had been circulating since 1751 about a new type of gemstone from Brazil that would provide the notoriously cash-strapped royal family with new financial reserves and prestige. The wonderful stone that was celebrated here, the Imperial Topaz, still enchants and seduces gemstone lovers. This special topaz, with its sherry brown to sometimes pink color, is still only found in the Ouro Preto area in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. It is still the most expensive and rarest topaz of all. For many generations, it was reserved for the nobility of Europe, so small were the quantities mined. At the end of the 19th century, the deposits were even considered to be completely exhausted - until 1908, when more stones were found at greater depths in the same place. At the time this brooch was created, imperial topaz had only been known for a few decades. This makes the splendor of the brooch all the more impressive. As many as nine of these stones are set in gold here, in closed settings over foils typical of the period, which give the gemstones a particularly intense shine. Their color spectrum ranges from delicate to stronger sherry tones and the center stone has a peach hue. They have been well coordinated, as the topazes in similar colors have been set opposite each other in the same cut. The precious gemstones weigh a total of around 22.10 ct. The framing of the finest gold wires, known as cannetille, was a fashion of the 1820s. Small and detailed, the production of this filigree was time-consuming and labor-intensive. At that time, however, manual labor was cheaper than the precious metal gold, so that large, magnificent designs were produced in many hours of work with relatively little material. The brooch is probably a somewhat later addition, also from the 19th century - the jewel was probably once hung in a necklace as a showpiece (see the last illustration, a fashionable copper from 1827), and even today small eyelets allow it to be threaded onto a narrow chain or ribbon. This piece was once intended as festive evening wear, a fact that is reflected in the precious materials and elaborate workmanship.

Size & Details

Brazilian Treasures

€ 9,590.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

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