An Edwardian Art Nouveau Ruby, Emerald and Pearl Insect Brooch
The theme for “Smile on Saturday” is “gemstones”.
And what better gemstones to pick than the ruby and large faceted emerald in this piece of turn-of-the-century jewellery?
This fanciful Edwardian Art Nouveau insect brooch is French and was made in Paris in 1903. It is made of 15 carat rose gold and set with a brilliant cut old mine ruby for the head and large emerald for the body, with cultured pearls embedded in the wings. When the light catches the emerald in particular, it sparkles and winks brilliantly.
Edwardian jewellery is renowned for its delicate, beautifully crafted designs. In contrast to Victorian jewellery, many pieces created during the Art Nouveau period were made in a very feminine fashion, using finer smaller stones and very light settings made possible by using platinum. Insects were a very common theme for jewellery in the Art Nouveau period, and are thought to represent the freedom of design of the movement.
(Private collection).
An Edwardian Art Nouveau Ruby, Emerald and Pearl Insect Brooch
The theme for “Smile on Saturday” is “gemstones”.
And what better gemstones to pick than the ruby and large faceted emerald in this piece of turn-of-the-century jewellery?
This fanciful Edwardian Art Nouveau insect brooch is French and was made in Paris in 1903. It is made of 15 carat rose gold and set with a brilliant cut old mine ruby for the head and large emerald for the body, with cultured pearls embedded in the wings. When the light catches the emerald in particular, it sparkles and winks brilliantly.
Edwardian jewellery is renowned for its delicate, beautifully crafted designs. In contrast to Victorian jewellery, many pieces created during the Art Nouveau period were made in a very feminine fashion, using finer smaller stones and very light settings made possible by using platinum. Insects were a very common theme for jewellery in the Art Nouveau period, and are thought to represent the freedom of design of the movement.
(Private collection).