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An enamel, coral and diamond brooch, 1920s
Further images
The annular brooch designed as an open-work motif, reminiscent of threaded ribbon work, in platinum-set lines of diamonds, embellished with red coral accents, within a black enamel contour, 1922 -...
The annular brooch designed as an open-work motif, reminiscent of threaded ribbon work, in platinum-set lines of diamonds, embellished with red coral accents, within a black enamel contour, 1922 - 1925, French. Dimensions: 5.8cm diameter. Weight: 38.34g
Frustratingly this brooch has lost its marks and signature....rendering its provenance somewhat mysterious. It is however unmistakably from the early 1920s and almost definitely made in Paris during this period. Its palette displays the red, black and white so cherished in this period. It brandishes bold block colouring, choosing the deep coral reds and varnish-like black enamels and onyx that have the source of their inspiration in the red and black lacquers of Chinese furniture, a nod to the Chinoiserie inspirations that had taken the decorative world by storm during the second half of the 19th Century but whose influence wasn't palpably felt in European jewellery design until the turn of the Century. The annular motif is another element common to Chinese decoration and a novelty of the period.
The diamond embellishment of the brooch is a loose interpretation of corseted ribbons, cleverly executed in pierced platinum - the favoured metal at the turn of the century. This stylisation appearing during a period when women were abandoning their corsets, is a rather playful note.
Frustratingly this brooch has lost its marks and signature....rendering its provenance somewhat mysterious. It is however unmistakably from the early 1920s and almost definitely made in Paris during this period. Its palette displays the red, black and white so cherished in this period. It brandishes bold block colouring, choosing the deep coral reds and varnish-like black enamels and onyx that have the source of their inspiration in the red and black lacquers of Chinese furniture, a nod to the Chinoiserie inspirations that had taken the decorative world by storm during the second half of the 19th Century but whose influence wasn't palpably felt in European jewellery design until the turn of the Century. The annular motif is another element common to Chinese decoration and a novelty of the period.
The diamond embellishment of the brooch is a loose interpretation of corseted ribbons, cleverly executed in pierced platinum - the favoured metal at the turn of the century. This stylisation appearing during a period when women were abandoning their corsets, is a rather playful note.
