Exquisite Insect Brooch Set with Diamonds, Rubies, and Sapphires, c. 1900

Dragonfly Dance

Exquisite Insect Brooch Set with Diamonds, Rubies, and Sapphires, c. 1900

€ 1,490.00 ^*

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!

The dragonfly is one of the animals that inspired artists c. 1900 more than almost any other. Even the English word for dragonfly suggests that, in Celtic culture, the dragonfly was regarded as a small flying dragon. In this conception, the dragonfly is a small type of dragon on which fairies and elves can fly—thus, the dragonfly was seen as a small fairy dragon from a fairy-tale parallel world. Germanic folklore offers a different interpretation. According to this belief, the souls of the recently deceased transform into dragonflies to ascend to heaven. This dragonfly, designed to be worn as a brooch, captivates with its high-quality craftsmanship and exquisite detailing. It is crafted from 14-karat gold, the front of which is largely plated with silver and entirely set with sparkling gemstones. Alongside white diamond roses, there are red rubies and blue sapphires. Thus, the fairy dragon, which has settled here on a silver rod, possesses a wonderfully colorful brilliance. This is a typical piece from the late Victorian era c. 1900—playful, decorative, and crafted from the finest materials. It was likely made in Great Britain.

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In the late 19th century, a new, unprecedented type of piece of jewellery emerged: so-called “novelty jewellery” caused a sensation with its new, surprising, and previously unthinkable shapes and combinations of materials: Suddenly, little birds perched on swings and became earrings. Many everyday objects found their way onto the lapels of ladies and gentlemen, such as tennis and golf clubs as well as postage stamps, but the world of technology also found its way into this fashion trend. Miniature machines, automobiles, and even the novel telephone served as surprising focal points. The purpose of these pieces was to provide conversation starters in social settings. At birthday parties, a brooch featuring the birthday person’s birth year could be a thoughtful gesture; on hunting trips, a fox brooch could complement the outfit appropriately. Even skulls with eyes that lit up via batteries were offered to add a macabre yet cheerful touch to a dinner party. These pieces of jewellery were not exclusively costume jewellery. Many pieces were, of course, designed for single use and made from inexpensive materials. The ever-advancing industrialization, even in the jewelry sector, suddenly allowed for the mass production of gold-plated and even just gold-colored brooches and pendants. But renowned goldsmiths also created small novelty pieces from luxurious metals, set with luxurious gemstones, because the fashion for the curious, surprising, and whimsical was alive in all strata of society: In fact, the British royal family even played a pioneering role in this regard—and, through their use of jewelry, set the standard by which their subjects then wished to be measured. You can learn more about this fascinating topic in Charlotte Gere / Judy Rudoe: Jewellery in the Age of Queen Victoria, London 2010, pp. 190–247.

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Size & Details

Dragonfly Dance

€ 1,490.00 ^*

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.

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Dragonfly Dance

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