Pendant-brooch, gold, enamel, set with rubies, sapphires and pearls, Castellani, Rome, 1860-1900

Enamelled gold pendant-brooch: above a curved central line of seven rubies mounted in rectangular collets are two gold rosettes centred by sapphires beneath, at the top, ruby mounted in a collet in a heart-shaped frame. Beneath the line of seven rubies a symmetrical design of enamelled openwork gold, a central ruby beneath one sapphire and above three others. Pendent pearls hang beneath the profile head of a bird on either side of the line of rubies and from the bottom of the pendant-brooch. Gold back engraved with reserves which are matted. Two of Castellani's monogram plaques are incorporated into the design.

Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein

This brooch-pendant in the Renaissance Revival style was made by the firm of Castellani in Rome. Castellani was most famous for its jewellery inspired by archaeological goldwork, but it also made jewels in medieval and Renaissance styles.

The brooch-pendant is inspired by jewellery made in Europe about 1600, but it is not a direct copy. A number of versions of the design exist, of which three are in the V&A. This example and one which has a sapphire intaglio (M.22-1917) bear the Castellani mark while a third version (M.64-1975) has no mark, but appears to be from the same workshop.

M.150-2007