Details
AN IMPORTANT SPANISH COLONIAL CIRCULAR EMERALD AND GOLD BROOCH,
the large openwork brooch of of double cruciform design set with eighty-one square and rectangular-cut Colombian emeralds, the central stone in shaped quatrefoil setting, the stones at the perimeter with pointed outer rims to the mounts, reverse with two rings for attachment, circa 1650
2 3/8in. (6.0cm.) diam.
The brooch, in near mint condition, is typical of the fashion for a grand jewel to be worn at the dropped neckline of a dress, as seen in so many portraits of finely attired 17th Century ladies. With the idiosyncratic detail to the settings of the emeralds and its jagged outline, the brooch shares some of the characteristics of Spanish Colonial jewellery discussed under lot 153 which, as is evident in these two grand pieces, involved a lavish use of stones. For a similar circular emerald brooch from the Maravillas also with shaped quatrefoil setting to the centre stone compare Christie's, 3 Oct. 1991, lot 393 and for a 17th Century circular jewelled brooch sewn into the skirt of the Virgin, formerly in Toledo Cathedral, see P. Muller, Jewels in Spain 1500-1800, 1972, no.195
the large openwork brooch of of double cruciform design set with eighty-one square and rectangular-cut Colombian emeralds, the central stone in shaped quatrefoil setting, the stones at the perimeter with pointed outer rims to the mounts, reverse with two rings for attachment, circa 1650
2 3/8in. (6.0cm.) diam.
The brooch, in near mint condition, is typical of the fashion for a grand jewel to be worn at the dropped neckline of a dress, as seen in so many portraits of finely attired 17th Century ladies. With the idiosyncratic detail to the settings of the emeralds and its jagged outline, the brooch shares some of the characteristics of Spanish Colonial jewellery discussed under lot 153 which, as is evident in these two grand pieces, involved a lavish use of stones. For a similar circular emerald brooch from the Maravillas also with shaped quatrefoil setting to the centre stone compare Christie's, 3 Oct. 1991, lot 393 and for a 17th Century circular jewelled brooch sewn into the skirt of the Virgin, formerly in Toledo Cathedral, see P. Muller, Jewels in Spain 1500-1800, 1972, no.195