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

Cross

ca. 1875 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This pendant cross was purchased by the donor from the reknowned Parisian jeweller Frédéric Boucheron (1830-1902). Boucheron gathered around him a team of fine designers and craftsmen to execute his work. Charles Riffault revived the technique of translucent or unbacked cloisonne enamelling, which he patented, but granted the monopoly of the process to Boucheron. From about 1864, Riffault executed enamels in this manner for Boucheron, who exhibited them at the International Exhiibtion in1867 and 1878.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Translucent enamel on gold, set with pearls and diamonds
Brief description
Cross, translucent enamel on gold, set with pearls and diamonds, probably made by Charles Riffault for Frederic Boucheron, France (Paris), ca. 1875.
Physical description
Bracelet, translucent enamel on gold, set with pearls and brilliant-cut diamonds.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.5cm
  • Width: 8.1cm
  • Depth: 5.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
French warranty mark used from 1838 onwards.
Credit line
Bequeathed by Mrs Harriet Bolckow
Object history
Purchased by the donor from Frédéric Boucheron (1830-1902).
Summary
This pendant cross was purchased by the donor from the reknowned Parisian jeweller Frédéric Boucheron (1830-1902). Boucheron gathered around him a team of fine designers and craftsmen to execute his work. Charles Riffault revived the technique of translucent or unbacked cloisonne enamelling, which he patented, but granted the monopoly of the process to Boucheron. From about 1864, Riffault executed enamels in this manner for Boucheron, who exhibited them at the International Exhiibtion in1867 and 1878.
Associated object
747-1890 (Set)
Collection
Accession number
748-1890

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Record createdJanuary 19, 2006
Record URL
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