Brooch-Pendant thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Brooch-Pendant

ca. 1860s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This jewel has Western and Indian design elements. The cutting of the emerald stone drop is very Indian in technique.

Visitors to the Great Exhibition held in London in 1851 greatly admired the Indian jewellery. Its rich appearance was achieved by combining enamelled gold with dense settings of pearls and thinly cut coloured stones.

By the 1860s, as European commercial jewellery lost its appeal in artistic circles, jewellery from the Middle East and India became an important influence. In London, the Art Journal encouraged an appreciation of jewellery from countries such as Syria and Palestine. In Paris, jewellery made in the Moroccan style reflected the French engagement with North Africa.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Brooch
  • Pendant
Materials and techniques
Pink tourmaline, rose-cut diamonds, emeralds, and river pearls set in gold, and with a detachable carved emerald drop.
Brief description
Brooch-pendant, a pink tourmaline, rose-cut diamonds, emeralds, and river pearls set in gold, and with a detachable carved emerald drop, probably made in India in the English manner, about 1860-70
Physical description
Brooch-pendant, a pink tourmaline, rose-cut diamonds, emeralds, and river pearls set in gold, and with a detachable carved emerald drop.
Dimensions
  • Height: 7.7cm
  • Width: 4cm
  • Depth: 1.9cm
Object history
Probably Indian in the English manner.
Summary
This jewel has Western and Indian design elements. The cutting of the emerald stone drop is very Indian in technique.

Visitors to the Great Exhibition held in London in 1851 greatly admired the Indian jewellery. Its rich appearance was achieved by combining enamelled gold with dense settings of pearls and thinly cut coloured stones.

By the 1860s, as European commercial jewellery lost its appeal in artistic circles, jewellery from the Middle East and India became an important influence. In London, the Art Journal encouraged an appreciation of jewellery from countries such as Syria and Palestine. In Paris, jewellery made in the Moroccan style reflected the French engagement with North Africa.
Collection
Accession number
M.21-1979

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Record createdAugust 26, 2005
Record URL
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