The Property of
A FRENCH COLLECTOR
AN ANTIQUE DIAMOND SPRAY BROOCH MOUNTED EN PAMPILLES
Details
AN ANTIQUE DIAMOND SPRAY BROOCH MOUNTED EN PAMPILLES
The central foliate spray with diamond collet buds and leaves suspending nine knife-edge and collet graduated tassel drops, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1860, 15.5cm. high, in original fitted case
The Empress Eugénie from the beginning of her reign in 1853 did much to enhance the reputation of French haute joaillerie, which at that time supplied the whole of Europe as well as princes of the Orient. She favoured very delicate ornaments in the form of foliage from which hung aiguillettes or pampilles as in the above example. Cf. Bernard Morel, The French Crown Jewels, Fonds Mercator (1988), pages 340 and 342 for similar pieces.
The central foliate spray with diamond collet buds and leaves suspending nine knife-edge and collet graduated tassel drops, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1860, 15.5cm. high, in original fitted case
The Empress Eugénie from the beginning of her reign in 1853 did much to enhance the reputation of French haute joaillerie, which at that time supplied the whole of Europe as well as princes of the Orient. She favoured very delicate ornaments in the form of foliage from which hung aiguillettes or pampilles as in the above example. Cf. Bernard Morel, The French Crown Jewels, Fonds Mercator (1988), pages 340 and 342 for similar pieces.