Brooch
ca. 1890 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Diamonds were no longer reserved for grand occasions. By about 1900 it was even fashionable to wear them in the morning, a change in taste encouraged by the flow of stones from South Africa which began in the late 1860s.
The shamrock, particularly the four-leaved version, was a good luck charm. In 1897, Vogue magazine's round up of gifts included 'Shamrock scarf pins and watch charms, when the genuine leaf is inserted most particularly, are prized for their luck bringing and are now in greatly in favor with youths and maidens.'
The shamrock, particularly the four-leaved version, was a good luck charm. In 1897, Vogue magazine's round up of gifts included 'Shamrock scarf pins and watch charms, when the genuine leaf is inserted most particularly, are prized for their luck bringing and are now in greatly in favor with youths and maidens.'
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold with colourless and cinnamon diamonds |
| Brief description | Gold brooch in the form of a shamrock set with diamonds, Theodore Starr, New York, ca.1890. |
| Physical description | Brooch in the form of a shamrock, gold with colourless and cinnamon diamonds. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'T.B.STARR' (Impressed on reverse of shamrock stem.) |
| Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Diamonds were no longer reserved for grand occasions. By about 1900 it was even fashionable to wear them in the morning, a change in taste encouraged by the flow of stones from South Africa which began in the late 1860s. The shamrock, particularly the four-leaved version, was a good luck charm. In 1897, Vogue magazine's round up of gifts included 'Shamrock scarf pins and watch charms, when the genuine leaf is inserted most particularly, are prized for their luck bringing and are now in greatly in favor with youths and maidens.' |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.103-2007 |
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| Record created | March 5, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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