Antique Brooch with Rose Cut Diamonds in Silver and Gold, circa 1885

Sleeping Beauty

Antique Brooch with Rose Cut Diamonds in Silver and Gold, circa 1885

€ 890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

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

A rose crafted from silver and gold, and set with large rose cut diamonds—it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful fusion of form and substance. Like a dewdrop, the rose diamond sparkles at the center of the still-unopened bloom. Additional small diamond roses adorn the delicately sculpted leaves. Like the bud itself, they are crafted from silver, while the stem is made of gold, hand-engraved with naturalistic motifs. In the 1880s, exquisite naturalistic designs featuring diamonds set in silver graced the bodices of ball gowns, the ladies’ heads, and their décolletés. The wild rose served as the inspiration for opulent tiaras and magnificent necklaces; ivy tendrils grew across the entire front of the dresses as a “devant-de-corsage,” and bouquets and flowering branches sparkled among French and Belgian lace. This turn toward nature was a reaction to industrialization, but at the same time an expression of weariness, for the forms of history had recently been repeated almost arbitrarily. As early as 1889, W. Koopmann wrote “On the Question of Style” in the Kunstgewerbeblatt: “It is certainly justified that the imitation of famous styles gradually evokes a sense of weariness [...]. It is certainly more logical to teach natural forms first in arts and crafts schools, then stylized forms, for the former are primary, the latter derivative; after all, there are also accomplished artists who first learned stylized forms. What is more important is that the student pursue the study of nature and the study of exemplary masters thoroughly enough to become intellectually independent.” (Kunstgewerbeblatt 5/1889, pp. 165–168, here p. 165). This rose is an elegant and, even in its details, exquisite example of the naturalism of the 1880s, which paved the way for Art Nouveau, among other things.

Size & Details

Sleeping Beauty

€ 890.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

Learn more

Sleeping Beauty

Brooches & Pins

Privacy settings