Belle Fleur Jeweled Pin

Description

The development toward the end of the seventeenth century of the multifaceted, brilliant-cut for diamonds improved on previous techniques and gave these precious gems an incredible sparkle. This resulted in a fashion for gemstone jewelry that dominated throughout the eighteenth century. A dazzling gold and silver flower- shaped brooch (French, ca. 1810) in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum is lavishly set with brilliant-cut diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Our sparkling Belle Fleur Jeweled Pin is based on this eye-catching original.

Produced in cooperation with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

24K gold overlay and imitation rhodium overlay, hand enameled, made with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. 3''L.

Art History

Elaborate sets of glittering jewelry were required at the major courts of Europe during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Those who could not afford diamonds often wore crystal and paste versions in jewelry, buttons, and shoe buckles. In later periods, valuable gemstones were often re-set into more fashionable pieces, so little diamond jewelry exists from the eighteenth century.