532
An Antique Diamond and Ruby Brooch, Boucheron, Circa 1890
- Estimate
- HK$65,000 - 80,000€7,800 - 9,600$8,000 - 10,000
HK$106,250
Lot Details
Old- and rose-cut diamonds, totalling approximately 1.80 caratsOne cabochon ruby-set 'bee'Silver-topped gold<em>With later signed case</em>Of <em>en tremblant </em>set
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
From the late 1800s, the present brooch is an example of Boucheron’s earliest pieces. This delicate leaf brooch, set throughout with antique diamonds and decorated by a small ruby-set bee, bears the workshop mark of none other than Frédéric Boucheron, the founder of the jewellery house. Before the application of platinum in jewellery making, silver-topped gold was the only way to provide a white metal background for glittery diamonds, as shown in this brooch which also exemplifies the predominant theme of Naturalism in jewellery design during the late 19th century.