Brooch 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

ca. 1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Victorian jewellery is rich in sentimental symbolism, used to signify mourning, love and friendship. Turquoise was used in profusion in jewellery of the 19th century. The bright blue colour echoed forget-me-nots, which signified true love in the language of flowers used in sentimental jewellery. It was a popular gift to bridesmaids, often in the form of turquoise doves. In 1840, Queen Victoria gave her twelve bridesmaids turquoise brooches in the shape of a Coburg eagle, a reference to Prince Albert's family.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold brooch set with turquoise and diamonds
Brief description
Gold, turquoise and diamond brooch. England, about 1850.
Dimensions
  • Height: 4.1cm
  • Width: 4.1cm
  • Depth: 1.7cm
Credit line
Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein
Summary
Victorian jewellery is rich in sentimental symbolism, used to signify mourning, love and friendship. Turquoise was used in profusion in jewellery of the 19th century. The bright blue colour echoed forget-me-nots, which signified true love in the language of flowers used in sentimental jewellery. It was a popular gift to bridesmaids, often in the form of turquoise doves. In 1840, Queen Victoria gave her twelve bridesmaids turquoise brooches in the shape of a Coburg eagle, a reference to Prince Albert's family.
Other numbers
  • LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.218-2003 - Previous loan number
  • 174 - Goldstein collection number
Collection
Accession number
M.159-2007

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Record createdFebruary 6, 2008
Record URL
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