Ribbon bow jewels first appeared in the mid-17th century, when cloth ribbons suspending pendants were translated into precious stones and metal. The most popular design for early bow brooches was the sévigné, a symmetric gem-set bow with twin loops so called after the Marquise de Sévigné (1626-1696), a member of the court of Louis XIV. As the Baroque gave way to the Rococo, the bows became more and more asymmetrical. Even though bow brooches experienced periods in which they were especially popular, they remained so throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. This bow brooch stands out with its balanced design of the three loops. Such jewels are always very much sought after and this one in particular is a very attractive example.