The design of the brooches is typical of the mid-19th century fashion for a cascade of gem stones diminishing in size and terminating in a thin pointed 'icicle' motif.
This style is known as en pampilles and is much in evidence in the French Crown Jewels sold privately in 1887. The firm of Bapst created several important jewels featuring pampilles for the Empress Eugénie. These included the Great Comb à Pampilles, the splendid Currant Leaf Parure, both dating from the mid 1850s, and the girdle buckle of 1868.